Browse Forums General Discussion 1 Mar 23, 2013 7:57 pm I was wondering why when people put a second storey on their houses that they never put a verandah for entertaining as part of the additions (e.g. an outdoors area larger than a balcony). Is there any practical/aesthetic reason why this is the case? The only places that I have seen set up like this are penthouses in unit blocks. Re: Second storey verandah for entertaining 2Mar 23, 2013 8:08 pm We have an outdoor entertaining area labelled as 'alfresco' on our floor plan. It is located on our main/upper level and has views. Is that what you mean? Custom downslope build Build thread viewtopic.php?f=31&t=61873 Blog http://www.buildingroyalmanor.blogspot.com.au Re: Second storey verandah for entertaining 3Mar 24, 2013 11:01 am Yes, it is kind of what I mean however in your plans the area is actually on ground level (or at least a level where half the floor is ground level). I was meaning more with a free standing two storey house (so that the ear was literally on the second level). Re: Second storey verandah for entertaining 4Mar 24, 2013 12:09 pm My rear is literally the second level. Single at the front and double at the rear. The alfresco is approx 4 metres above ground level with another level below it. Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ I love this idea and we will be using this often for entertaining. I think more standard double storey plans should have is as an option. Custom downslope build Build thread viewtopic.php?f=31&t=61873 Blog http://www.buildingroyalmanor.blogspot.com.au Re: Second storey verandah for entertaining 5Mar 24, 2013 2:01 pm I agree. We looked at a few double designs and enquired about making the roof of the downstairs alfresco an upstairs entertaining area off the rumpus. Apparently it was all too hard for the Melbourne builders. Seemed strange that they wanted to knock back extra money as we would have been more than happy to pay their ridiculous prices for it! lol I leave you to fend for yourself, figure things out yourself. Terrence Malick Re: Second storey verandah for entertaining 6Mar 24, 2013 8:53 pm I was more curious about when they have two complete levels (i.e. I am wondering with the house above whether it will work becuase you presumably will walk in from the front directly out onto the balcony at the back (without having to change levels). Re: Second storey verandah for entertaining 7Mar 24, 2013 10:32 pm If you had a large block with a reasonable distance to neighbours private backyards - no problem but with most houses now 1800mm apart on the average block then privacy would be your biggest hurdle. Stewie Re: Second storey verandah for entertaining 8Mar 25, 2013 7:54 am In reality sometimes they are not that stable really. I have heard of many collapsing unless obviously there is a garage or something underneath. Our build: viewtopic.php?f=31&t=64705 Re: Second storey verandah for entertaining 9Mar 27, 2013 8:03 am Quote: In reality sometimes they are not that stable really. I have heard of many collapsing unless obviously there is a garage or something underneath. Alarmist nonsense. 99.9999% of all second storey balconies/verandahs/terraces would be fine. You have been watching too much sensational press like Today Tonight, A Current Affair etc etc. Stewie Re: Second storey verandah for entertaining 10Mar 27, 2013 8:48 am I'm not worried about it not being stable. At the end of the day it's built very similar to a floor for a second story construction and how many second story houses collapse? I think the issue is more with unqualified people who build their own. Custom downslope build Build thread viewtopic.php?f=31&t=61873 Blog http://www.buildingroyalmanor.blogspot.com.au Re: Second storey verandah for entertaining 11Mar 27, 2013 10:14 am We have a small upstairs balcony / entertaining area (well 2 actually). The front one is rather small, and could possibly only be used for a small 2 seater table set for morning coffees or what not. The rear one is slightly larger, however I highly doubt we will use it - the kids might or it might be a great spot to put my clothes horse to dry things??? We also have an alfresco on ground level, which I assume will get a lot of use. The reason we are unlikely to use upstairs balcony... -We have designed the house as the first floor being more for the kids and downstairs entertaining. I really don't want guests walking thru my children's living areas (and the entire house) to get to an entertaining area -The kitchen is downstairs, so impractical to entertain upstairs -Although we have clear city views, we also have clear views into the neighbours' back yards, I would like privacy respected so I will do the same to them The top rear balcony is somewhat small, to be honest we didn't wan the rear balcony at all - this was something that council MADE us have as part of the planning permit, to make our home more pleasing to look at from the neighbouring houses??? As my neighbours didn't know we were making this change, I highly doubt they have seen the plans, because I am sure they would have been up in arms. Re: Second storey verandah for entertaining 12Mar 27, 2013 2:23 pm Stewie D Quote: In reality sometimes they are not that stable really. I have heard of many collapsing unless obviously there is a garage or something underneath. Alarmist nonsense. 99.9999% of all second storey balconies/verandahs/terraces would be fine. You have been watching too much sensational press like Today Tonight, A Current Affair etc etc. Stewie Fair enough but actually I don't watch any of that nonsense. The only news I watch or listen to is ABC. (Actually I don't watch much tv at all!) Our build: viewtopic.php?f=31&t=64705 Re: Second storey verandah for entertaining 13Apr 01, 2013 10:51 am yes ,we love the idea and many project builders didnt like the idea, but found a small builder happy to do it,we have it at the front next to a large living room as we are facing onto a park. Its basically sitting over the garage.It seemed many builders are scared as apparently hard to fullproof waterproofing into the ground floor, but ours will be covered with the roof ,so hopefully leaking is unlikely, Re: Second storey verandah for entertaining 14Apr 01, 2013 12:09 pm I think most people have ground floor entertaining spaces because the kitchen and living areas are on the ground floor. Not sure why you'd have one upstairs in that case? We have a 2nd story deck but that's because all our living areas are on that floor. Renovating our 1970s home Re: Second storey verandah for entertaining 15Apr 02, 2013 3:15 pm I agree & its amuses me also! Im just about to build a 2 storey home with upstairs being all adults area with 4x5mtr covered rear balcony overlooking hills/pond/bush out the back....cant wait to enjoy a wine up there in the evening....watching the Roo's bouncing around.... Building with 101 Residential in Falcon. Hi, I'll be starting on my verandah repair soon - replace ledger, rafters, roofing iron, flashing etc. (fascia board already done). My question is about the timber ledger… 0 931 1 1346 Hi team, Im looking for a second hand sd4b monitor preferably white. 0 7313 |