A couple that I'm due to start an extension job for next week have also asked me to replace their raised decking at the back (roughly 5m x 2.5m, around 1.2m high; sketch attached) with a patio. Initially, they wanted to build a retaining wall across the front and side, fill it with rubble from the extension then lay composite decking on the top (they don't want the hassle of looking after normal decking). Now they want a patio on top, paved in black limestone. The patio will be below the dpc of the building so damp isn't really a concern. I'm planning on blockwork walls all the way around to form a box, block on flat, filling it in c/w weep vents at the front, then compacting and sticking a 6" RC slab on top. The problem with this is that it's more expensive than the client would like. I've looked at options with a suspended slab on an RSJ frame, but that turned out even more expensive. So I figured I'd ask on here for a few learned opinions - waddya think, fellas?
If your retaining wall is strong enough, you could infill in 150mm layers compacting with a vibrating plate, get this right and you shouldn't need the RC slab, just bed slabs down on Sharp sand and Cement. How are you planning any steps.??
It's a strange house! It's built on a pretty steep hill, but the dpc is the same level all the way round.
Just double checked the height with them, turns out it's actually 2m high, not 1.2! So much for the block-on-flat idea.
Steps will be to the side as they currently are with the decking, I just didn't show anything on the sketch
You could get away with using a block and beam system at that height, save a good few ton of infill. Then if your clever you could put a door in the wall and have under patio storage.
That's just my rubbish sketch, it's not particularly accurate. Imagine the patio is a couple of inches lower.
Seen it, but about 3 months ago. Currently on revision 6 of the original quote (which didn't include this bit)
Some friends in Luton have that, the garden slopes down at 20 to 30 degrees and they have under patio storage where they keep the gardening tools and wine!
Block and beam sounds like a good idea, then concrete round the edge to bolt the new timber handrail to. Already suggested the storage option, but not interested - they don't want a door to have to paint! My main concern at this point is how thick to make the front wall, and would the BCO want to see any calcs for it.
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