ᐅ Pouring a concrete entrance platform – what should be considered?
Created on: 21 Jun 2022 09:02
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Reini1234
Hello everyone,
We are planning to pour concrete for our entrance platform, which will be covered either with WPC decking boards or natural stone slabs. The platform will be wider than the door opening.
In the picture, you can see the current situation. A black waterproofing strip has already been installed by the window company, and in front of it, the white perimeter insulation of the basement is visible. We have now applied a self-adhesive bitumen membrane here (not yet visible in the photo).
Is there anything we need to consider before pouring the concrete? Should XPS boards be applied to the render?
We are planning to pour concrete for our entrance platform, which will be covered either with WPC decking boards or natural stone slabs. The platform will be wider than the door opening.
In the picture, you can see the current situation. A black waterproofing strip has already been installed by the window company, and in front of it, the white perimeter insulation of the basement is visible. We have now applied a self-adhesive bitumen membrane here (not yet visible in the photo).
Is there anything we need to consider before pouring the concrete? Should XPS boards be applied to the render?
W
WilderSueden20 Jul 2022 11:28Tolentino schrieb:
I find it surprising how little response such topics generate elsewhere.
Either hardly anyone does it themselves or everyone who has done it is too embarrassed... Or maybe foundations are no longer considered modern; nowadays, barrier-free (accessible) construction is the standard.
W
WilderSueden20 Jul 2022 11:39No, something like that needs to be considered during the planning stage.
Regarding the main topic, I had held back so far due to lack of specific experience, but if it’s a base made of WPC or wooden decking, I would simply pave right up to the house wall and then place a custom-built platform in front of it. Between the house and the paving, just a dimpled membrane.
If you’re doing a concrete base... in theory, the house should already be thermally separated from the outside environment. So, I think you can pour the concrete right up to the wall.
Regarding the main topic, I had held back so far due to lack of specific experience, but if it’s a base made of WPC or wooden decking, I would simply pave right up to the house wall and then place a custom-built platform in front of it. Between the house and the paving, just a dimpled membrane.
If you’re doing a concrete base... in theory, the house should already be thermally separated from the outside environment. So, I think you can pour the concrete right up to the wall.
Tolentino schrieb:
I find it surprising how little response such topics get elsewhere.
Either hardly anyone does it themselves, or everyone who has done it is too embarrassed...
My father-in-law says a full concrete base is totally over the top. He would build two strip foundations and then place a thick granite slab on top with thinner slabs at the front and sides.
I'm not so sure about that... Nowadays, it is probably true that only a very small minority actually do it themselves; there could be many reasons for this 🙂
A full concrete base might be over the top, but on the other hand:
1. In my opinion, there is no significant difference in effort whether you detail the strip foundations or fill them completely.
2. A concrete base offers more flexibility regarding the type of surface covering.
3. Theoretically, you could save on the thickness of the surface covering if you have a concrete base...
Yes, I didn’t really want to fully agree with my father-in-law’s argument.
However, I’m still undecided between a wooden platform (my terrace will definitely be wood) and a concrete base. I also have no clear idea yet about what kind of final surface to use.
@WilderSueden: I believe the separation is intended not only as a thermal break but also because of different settlement behavior. If you pour directly against it, it will crack unattractively. If you plan a joint from the start, you can at least make it elastic.
However, I’m still undecided between a wooden platform (my terrace will definitely be wood) and a concrete base. I also have no clear idea yet about what kind of final surface to use.
@WilderSueden: I believe the separation is intended not only as a thermal break but also because of different settlement behavior. If you pour directly against it, it will crack unattractively. If you plan a joint from the start, you can at least make it elastic.
M
motorradsilke20 Jul 2022 14:43Then I’ll share my experience. We did it similarly. A small concrete strip footing around the outside, about 30cm (12 inches) deep and 20cm (8 inches) wide. The compacted soil was left in the middle. The house is separated only by a drainage membrane. On top of that, the base was built with granite stones, also with a drainage membrane on the side facing the house. However, we sealed the drainage membrane with grout so it’s not visible. This might not be fully professional, but it holds, doesn’t crack, and is sufficient.