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.
Let’s be honest: you have about 38sqm (408 sq ft) without the kitchen corner and want to place a dining table measuring 80 x 120cm (31 x 47 inches) by the window, which now causes issues with doors and access. Maybe simply consider the most obvious solution and use the table… or rather a family table… then have a patio door for passage on both the south and west sides.
W
WilderSueden25 Apr 2022 21:43I think the problem right now is that I’m doing exactly what I always wanted to avoid: starting to change plans during the construction phase. And I don’t fully trust my instincts (which already let me down with the slope and basement issues). Making changes right after returning from vacation without letting things settle is simply not ideal. On top of that, the current uncertainty with material shortages and potential delays adds to the challenge...
Regarding the table... I was a bit surprised that the table is so small; it definitely seemed bigger to me before. I would prefer a large opening to easily bring in things like a sofa (or eventually a new large table—the old one will definitely move with us for now;) ). But fitting that will probably work better on the south side.
Regarding the table... I was a bit surprised that the table is so small; it definitely seemed bigger to me before. I would prefer a large opening to easily bring in things like a sofa (or eventually a new large table—the old one will definitely move with us for now;) ). But fitting that will probably work better on the south side.
@WilderSueden
I have the same situation at my place. Here is a photo showing how it looks. On the left (south) there is a double patio door, which is hardly or rarely used. At the back, there is the same door again, serving as the main entrance on the west side. Maybe this helps you a bit.
I have the same situation at my place. Here is a photo showing how it looks. On the left (south) there is a double patio door, which is hardly or rarely used. At the back, there is the same door again, serving as the main entrance on the west side. Maybe this helps you a bit.