Hello everyone,
Until now, we had always planned for a south-facing terrace. Last week during vacation, I had some time to think it over and I’m not as enthusiastic about that idea anymore, so I want to redesign the terrace. Getting sun at noon is one thing, but the problem is that I usually have time in the evening. Then there’s also the issue of distance to the neighbors. Since we are in a new development area and the neighbors to the south haven’t built yet, I don’t know exactly where their house will be. However, the west side is open and will remain so for the foreseeable future (the neighbor owns three lots). I attached a section of the site plan (oriented north) and a drone photo. The property line to plot 386 is marked with a red line. The original terrace plan was next to the construction container beside the crane, but now I’m leaning towards relocating it to where the blue cross is. I think most will agree that this is the more sensible location.
Now to the problem. So far, it was planned that the west side of the dining room would have fixed glazing, and placing the dining table was relatively simple somewhere near the window. If I add a terrace door there now, that clearly won’t work anymore. However, I don’t want to completely remove the south door just to fit the dining table. So the question is how to combine this in a practical way—would it make sense to make the south door a single door and move it all the way to the right? Are there other good ideas?
One more word about the terrain situation. There isn’t much left of the original terrain, but the ground floor sits about 1.5m (5 feet) higher than the boundary point at the neighbor’s garden shed. I don’t want to cut into or fill this completely, but rather build a roughly hip-high retaining wall around the terrace that gradually transitions into the natural ground. Here’s a section of the site plan with the elevation profile. My idea was to extend the wall along the south side to the drainage strip and then build a small set of steps in front of the south doors so you can go straight into the garden without having to go across the terrace first.
Unfortunately, time is a bit tight because I have an appointment with the window installer tomorrow and need to give him a clear plan.
Until now, we had always planned for a south-facing terrace. Last week during vacation, I had some time to think it over and I’m not as enthusiastic about that idea anymore, so I want to redesign the terrace. Getting sun at noon is one thing, but the problem is that I usually have time in the evening. Then there’s also the issue of distance to the neighbors. Since we are in a new development area and the neighbors to the south haven’t built yet, I don’t know exactly where their house will be. However, the west side is open and will remain so for the foreseeable future (the neighbor owns three lots). I attached a section of the site plan (oriented north) and a drone photo. The property line to plot 386 is marked with a red line. The original terrace plan was next to the construction container beside the crane, but now I’m leaning towards relocating it to where the blue cross is. I think most will agree that this is the more sensible location.
Now to the problem. So far, it was planned that the west side of the dining room would have fixed glazing, and placing the dining table was relatively simple somewhere near the window. If I add a terrace door there now, that clearly won’t work anymore. However, I don’t want to completely remove the south door just to fit the dining table. So the question is how to combine this in a practical way—would it make sense to make the south door a single door and move it all the way to the right? Are there other good ideas?
One more word about the terrain situation. There isn’t much left of the original terrain, but the ground floor sits about 1.5m (5 feet) higher than the boundary point at the neighbor’s garden shed. I don’t want to cut into or fill this completely, but rather build a roughly hip-high retaining wall around the terrace that gradually transitions into the natural ground. Here’s a section of the site plan with the elevation profile. My idea was to extend the wall along the south side to the drainage strip and then build a small set of steps in front of the south doors so you can go straight into the garden without having to go across the terrace first.
Unfortunately, time is a bit tight because I have an appointment with the window installer tomorrow and need to give him a clear plan.
W
WilderSueden25 Apr 2022 14:42Fuchsbau35 schrieb:
Why not use sliding doors to the terrace? That way, the dining table can be placed quite close to the window. So far, I have categorized sliding doors as "expensive and tricky," but it is definitely worth considering. What kind of additional cost could be expected for something like that?
Moving the south door to the right side of the plan shouldn’t be a problem and definitely sounds reasonable. It doesn’t matter exactly where the table will be placed then. This would allow the option to shift the table generally down to the left on the plan and make the terrace door at the top right by the kitchen, either a standard door or a sliding door. I need to measure our table this evening.
F
Fuchsbau3525 Apr 2022 14:43netuser schrieb:
Pretty close would still mean about 80 - 100 cm (31 - 39 inches) in practice, right? The table would have to be moved further into the room and then it would "cover" the patio door on the south side.Well, you still need to be able to sit at the table and pull the chair back. Depending on the size of the table, part of the patio door would probably remain accessible. In summer, with the sliding doors open, it would be a bit like dining outdoors 🙂
Edit: Then there would be no terrace on the south side anymore, right? If necessary, you could also install sliding doors there.
W
WilderSueden25 Apr 2022 14:55Fuchsbau35 schrieb:
Edit: So there wouldn’t be a terrace on the south side after all, right? If necessary, install sliding doors there as well.Exactly, on the south side there would only be stairs leading down to the lawn. The further to the right side of the plan, the lower the stairs become (which is also a good reason to shift it).I don’t see the need for two terraces. You are allowed to walk on the lawn (we are planning a meadow-like lawn anyway), and even place a table or chair on it 😉
Maybe a bit about the basic layout of the plot. To the west of the terrace, there will be a utility garden, and in the south(west) the play area. Some partial shade is actually welcome there.
F
Fuchsbau3525 Apr 2022 15:06WilderSueden schrieb:
So far, I have categorized sliding doors as "expensive and fiddly," but that is definitely something to consider. What kind of additional cost could be expected for something like that?There are these lift-and-slide doors, which are said to be quite expensive as well. Unfortunately, I’m not very familiar with them. For other reasons, we deliberately decided against sliding doors. In your case, though, I would seriously reconsider and ask the window manufacturer about it.
WilderSueden schrieb:
I don’t see the need for two terraces.Is that your opinion back then? Or your current view? How does it turn out in practice later on? Right now, after work, I’m sitting on my outdoor sofa in the south. It’s usually too windy in the west, even at the moment.
That’s why we allow access to the garden on every side where possible. Of course, it doesn’t have to be paved yet, but not every area is equally suitable for summer, autumn, and spring…
W
WilderSueden25 Apr 2022 19:31At the time, a south-facing exit was preferred (the floor plan wasn’t properly designed according to the plot, even though they chose the plot because of the open space to the west;). Today, I would like to have two exits (to avoid always having to walk around the retaining wall to reach the lawn), but would only pave on the west side. Once covered, it’s not easy to remove. I’m also hoping that in a few years a nice shaded spot will develop in the garden.
I just remeasured the table, it is 120x80cm (47x31.5 inches), so it should fit quite easily next to the door elements when they open, even with chairs. Possibly rotated 90 degrees, since the space is roughly the same in both directions. I plan to discuss the layout with the window supplier tomorrow. Fixed panels in blue, primary opening panels in green. I will also bring up the option of a sliding door and then decide based on costs. Probably not for the south side, maybe for the west side.
I just remeasured the table, it is 120x80cm (47x31.5 inches), so it should fit quite easily next to the door elements when they open, even with chairs. Possibly rotated 90 degrees, since the space is roughly the same in both directions. I plan to discuss the layout with the window supplier tomorrow. Fixed panels in blue, primary opening panels in green. I will also bring up the option of a sliding door and then decide based on costs. Probably not for the south side, maybe for the west side.
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