hi all
We're looking at getting our back garden ready for a few bbqs, at present it's a real mess as the previous owners seemed to lose interest after building an extension. Nothing is flat or square, and there's manholes etc protruding, the area under the patio doors is concrete on quite a slope away from the building and the rest has a combination of some odd paving and stones simply laid on mud.
We're hoping simply to cover the worst of it over with something more pleasant to sit out on.
I'm not sure whether it would be best to fit a deck on a raised frame, with raised beds round the edge and properly laid shingle/gravel down the side of the extension, or simply to lay some patio stones and build up a small frame to take the slope into account.
There are a few drains, drainpipes, ventilation bricks on the extension etc that we need to take into account, as the patio would need to cover all drain covers but leave space for the drain pipe and ventilation. I suspect decking might be easier for this.
A slight complication is that we fitted a shed on a paved base on some screed (done as soon as we moved in as an emergency measure to get the bikes etc out of the house) but the shed doors would impinge upon decking - the shed base is not raised very far at all, and the doors would open over the planned deck/patio but the decking is likely to be too high. It's a bit hard to explain, so I attach some photos.
As you can see, it's all quite untidy at present but is (thankfully) only a small space.
Advice on best ways to proceed would be appreciated - for context, t he garden is on an L-shape with the extension taking up most of the space, the photos show the arm of the L towards the main house, facing the extension, facing along the extension, and a closeup of the shed base to show the slope and the state of the surface (plus state of our dodgy rushed paint job!)
Apols for quality, sun is really bright and can't avoid glare, can take some more in less direct sunlight. Apols also for clutter, we'll be fitting a small shed under the kitchen window (on side of extension) to clear way all the furniture - this will almost certainly be on some paving slabs as per bike shed. Obviously happy to clarify any points or take any additional photos.
All advice greatly appreciated
Cheers
Matt
We're looking at getting our back garden ready for a few bbqs, at present it's a real mess as the previous owners seemed to lose interest after building an extension. Nothing is flat or square, and there's manholes etc protruding, the area under the patio doors is concrete on quite a slope away from the building and the rest has a combination of some odd paving and stones simply laid on mud.
We're hoping simply to cover the worst of it over with something more pleasant to sit out on.
I'm not sure whether it would be best to fit a deck on a raised frame, with raised beds round the edge and properly laid shingle/gravel down the side of the extension, or simply to lay some patio stones and build up a small frame to take the slope into account.
There are a few drains, drainpipes, ventilation bricks on the extension etc that we need to take into account, as the patio would need to cover all drain covers but leave space for the drain pipe and ventilation. I suspect decking might be easier for this.
A slight complication is that we fitted a shed on a paved base on some screed (done as soon as we moved in as an emergency measure to get the bikes etc out of the house) but the shed doors would impinge upon decking - the shed base is not raised very far at all, and the doors would open over the planned deck/patio but the decking is likely to be too high. It's a bit hard to explain, so I attach some photos.
As you can see, it's all quite untidy at present but is (thankfully) only a small space.
Advice on best ways to proceed would be appreciated - for context, t he garden is on an L-shape with the extension taking up most of the space, the photos show the arm of the L towards the main house, facing the extension, facing along the extension, and a closeup of the shed base to show the slope and the state of the surface (plus state of our dodgy rushed paint job!)
Apols for quality, sun is really bright and can't avoid glare, can take some more in less direct sunlight. Apols also for clutter, we'll be fitting a small shed under the kitchen window (on side of extension) to clear way all the furniture - this will almost certainly be on some paving slabs as per bike shed. Obviously happy to clarify any points or take any additional photos.
All advice greatly appreciated
Cheers
Matt
