ᐅ Creating a Terrace – Challenges with the Slope

Created on: 9 Aug 2017 13:16
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ChristianMue
Hello everyone,

We have been living in our newly built semi-detached house for about a year. Until now, I’ve only been reading along, but now I’m stuck. We are currently working on the paving. This coming weekend, I want to set the edge stones for the terrace. While planning, I encountered a problem due to the shape of our house. A rough sketch is attached.

Because of the bay window, the terrace narrows by about one meter (3 feet). I now have a problem (maybe I’m just missing something) with the slope. How or at what height should I set the edging stones to achieve a consistent slope away from the house? About 7 cm (3 inches) or 5 cm (2 inches) below the surface level? Is there anything else I should pay attention to?

Thanks and best regards,
ChristianMue

Handgezeichnete Hausgrundriss-Skizze mit Außenmaßen und Innenverläufen
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Bieber0815
9 Aug 2017 14:40
ChristianMue schrieb:
So, I have to start from a certain height on the house.

You could also accept a (small) step at the bay window. For example, the terrace edge could be 7 cm (3 inches) lower than the door that is furthest away. Then the terrace would have a consistent slope, meaning the terrace surface at the bay window would already be slightly lower.

Do you have a level exit? Is the area properly sealed? Will there be any gutters? What does the roof overhang look like?
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ChristianMue
9 Aug 2017 15:31
Hello,

the roof overhang is about 50 cm (20 inches), slightly less in the area of the sloped bay window wall. Gutters are planned. I want to avoid problems during heavy rain coming from the wrong direction. There is a level exit at ground floor.

What do you think about keeping the first meter (3 feet) along the house almost horizontal within the 3.60 m (12 feet) area, and only starting the slope at 2.60 m (8.5 feet)? This way, I hope to have the least difficulties when paving and can set the edging stones at a consistent height.
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winnetou78
9 Aug 2017 15:33
I wouldn't do that.
I would rather live with the small step.
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ypg
9 Aug 2017 16:11
I wouldn't do that either. Which door is used most frequently?
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ypg
9 Aug 2017 16:14
You can also pave the first meter (3 feet) and then have a step. However, 2.60 meters (8.5 feet) is much too narrow for a seating area. I find 3.60 meters (12 feet) already quite limited – can you make the terrace larger?
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Bieber0815
9 Aug 2017 17:04
I am at #15 and would accept a 2cm (0.8 inch) step in front of the bay window to have a level (albeit slightly sloped) terrace without steps.