Browse Forums Landscape & Garden Design 1 Dec 09, 2008 9:10 pm Hi all,
I would like to seek your opinions on whether I should build a timber deck for my alfresco. Here is my current plan and a pic of the current landscape. As you see from my current plan, I intend to have a good size paving area around the rear of my house. There is about 0.5m of elevation difference between the ground level of the property and the ground level of the rear yard. Because of this, I will have a retaining wall across the back where the paving end and have a staircase at the middle. Up till now, I have been thinking to simply pave the entire area around the back of the house, including the alfresco, all to the same level. This means there will be a step down from the house (thru the sliding door) to the alfresco. Keeping all the paving area to the same level seems to be a more practical use of space. My little kid will also have some good open space to ride his bike around After seeing some really nice alfresco decking pics from some of you on this forum, I am having a second thought whether I should have one too!! Having a deck under the alfresco, I can eliminate the step down from the house out to alfresco. This makes the alfresco more like another room extended from the house. However, this just means I will have the step down around the alfresco instead. This seems to have wasted the open space. I am hoping I have explained my thoughts well enough for you to understand me I am now contemplating between the two designs. What do you all think? which approach would you rather? Any other ideas you may have? Any of your thoughts will be much appreciated Building Clarendon Brighton - Done and moved in Sept 2009 Re: Advice on alfresco paving or timber deck? 2Dec 09, 2008 9:52 pm who says you need a step down?
why not build the deck not only in the marked alfresco area but going out to the edge where the stairs are. Have it finish in line with the house and right out to the edge of the stairs (a straight line off the wall of the house) Hope this makes sense so far. I see you have the garden bed along the house so take the opportunity to have the paving done with a shallow rise to meet the edge of the decking. No step needed. The rise won't be dramatic then either. Re: Advice on alfresco paving or timber deck? 3Dec 10, 2008 9:05 pm I guess another thing to think about is maintanance v's no maintanance between the two surfaces as well. It may be simply a matter of what you prefer the look of.
Any reason you didn't use termite-treated framing for the new house?? Re: Advice on alfresco paving or timber deck? 4Dec 11, 2008 7:56 am Our deck is at floor level, and thens teps down to ground level at the end. Whilst it does require some maintenance, it also allows cool air to circulate under the alfresco.
Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Adrian B Re: Advice on alfresco paving or timber deck? 5Dec 11, 2008 1:53 pm i think the contrast between the paving and the decking would look nice.
To me decking adds more value to the house than paving so i'm a bit influenced by the numbers... even though i don't think i will ever be selling my newly built home anytime soon i always think about for every $ u spend, how much of it will you get back? I use this rule especially for tie breaker decisions like this one. good luck smeags ---->Some say that a recession is when your neighbour loses his/her job while a depression is when you lose yours!<----- Re: Advice on alfresco paving or timber deck? 6Dec 11, 2008 8:56 pm Fu Manchu who says you need a step down? why not build the deck not only in the marked alfresco area but going out to the edge where the stairs are. Have it finish in line with the house and right out to the edge of the stairs (a straight line off the wall of the house) Hope this makes sense so far. I see you have the garden bed along the house so take the opportunity to have the paving done with a shallow rise to meet the edge of the decking. No step needed. The rise won't be dramatic then either. I do understand what you mean. That would seem to be a very large decking there Also, interesting idea about the shallow slope up to the decking level. I will definitely spend some time vlsualise how it will be like. Dukekamaya Any reason you didn't use termite-treated framing for the new house?? I didn't really considered this option at that time. I am installing termimesh though, hope that would be enough. smeagol i think the contrast between the paving and the decking would look nice. To me decking adds more value to the house than paving so i'm a bit influenced by the numbers... even though i don't think i will ever be selling my newly built home anytime soon i always think about for every $ u spend, how much of it will you get back? I use this rule especially for tie breaker decisions like this one. good luck smeags True. Having a deck will definitely look much nicer. This is also the reason I am thinking to have one. However, making the area less practical seems to be difficult compromise to me, especially I will be living there at least for the next 10+yrs. Hmmm...what about extending from Fu Manchu's idea, deck all the way down the side of the property too! Would that be too excessive?? Building Clarendon Brighton - Done and moved in Sept 2009 Re: Advice on alfresco paving or timber deck? 7Dec 29, 2008 7:43 pm I vote for paving.
Although we have both decking and paving . I am not big on maintenance and in the 3 months we've been in the house, we've already put 3 coats on the deck ... and it probably needs another. Re: Advice on alfresco paving or timber deck? 8Dec 29, 2008 9:20 pm DeeElle I am not big on maintenance and in the 3 months we've been in the house, we've already put 3 coats on the deck ... and it probably needs another. What product are you using?? Re: Advice on alfresco paving or timber deck? 9Dec 30, 2008 6:08 am Hi,
Decking in a hardwood would look great. Decking out to the stairs would instead of paving would look awesome! However then there is maintenance and $$$. Paving the alfresco the same as the rest of the paved area might look a bit bland. On the other hand for the alfresco you could use coloured concrete and get it stamped an interesting pattern. Adrian T. Re: Advice on alfresco paving or timber deck? 10Dec 30, 2008 9:03 am smeagol To me decking adds more value to the house than paving so i'm a bit influenced by the numbers... even though i don't think i will ever be selling my newly built home anytime soon i always think about for every $ u spend, how much of it will you get back? That's interesting smegs.... a large amount of decking would actually stop me from buying a house. A slab with quality tiles laid or quality paving adds more value to me. (Cost wise it's very similar) I'd go with the paving.... for added interest you could use pavers from the same range, but a different colour to define the alfresco area? But if it was me I'd use the same pavers because your outdoor furnishings and plants etc will break the area up. I just hate decking because all I see is maintenance. But I must admit I love the look. Jo I leave you to fend for yourself, figure things out yourself. Terrence Malick Re: Advice on alfresco paving or timber deck? 11Dec 30, 2008 9:21 am Thanks everyone for your advice!
Using a different paver for the alfresco is an idea I haven't considered! And I think I like it! The maintenance of the deck is definitely a concern, especially when the deck is not under cover...more subject to weathering. For this, I don't think I will deck around the property. I still like the look of a timber deck. But making it two levels make it less practical for my comfort. It seems I am leaning on paving but just trying to find an excuse to have a deck while failing to convince myself yet Building Clarendon Brighton - Done and moved in Sept 2009 Re: Advice on alfresco paving or timber deck? 12Dec 30, 2008 7:49 pm I can't find the post right now - but someone had a concrete floor but stamped in a way that made it look like a timber deck. Pics were very impressive - and you get the best of both worlds! After 4 years - we're in! Re: Advice on alfresco paving or timber deck? 13Dec 30, 2008 8:01 pm Stonecutter, is this the one you were thinking of?
https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.p ... highlight= I leave you to fend for yourself, figure things out yourself. Terrence Malick Re: Advice on alfresco paving or timber deck? 15Dec 31, 2008 8:41 am thanks joles - that was it! After 4 years - we're in! Re: Advice on alfresco paving or timber deck? 16Jan 03, 2009 3:08 pm Dukekamaya DeeElle I am not big on maintenance and in the 3 months we've been in the house, we've already put 3 coats on the deck ... and it probably needs another. What product are you using?? Sorry just saw this . We use the Feast and Watson wood cleaner then put on Feast & Watson decking oil (natural finish). 1. Depth gauge, wrap duct tape where you wish to terminate your drilling onto the drill bit and use your eyes throughout performing. 2. 2 vs' 4, most at bunnings will… 2 2449 Engineering timber is certainly a less fuss option, times cheaper to supply and install and better withstands humidity. 1 15907 I had 28m2 of engineered pavers laid six months back and it was difficult to find someone not taking the pi$$. Internet suggested it should be $85-100/m2 to lay them.… 3 12385 |