Need Patio Advice - Pictures Included

kyassassin · 01-14-2009, 05:21 PM

I have a covered patio in my backyard but no real place to put my grill. I would like to add on to the patio with a paver patio or stamped concrete patio. The reason I am posting this is because I have a slight slope to the area that I want to build the patio and am unsure what to do (see pictures).

Option #1:
A "full patio" that is 10' wide and 22' long basically doubling my covered patio area. This obviously will be more expensive but would be nice and allow for outdoor seating.

Option#2:
A "grill pad" type area that would be about 8' by 8' or so on the left area of the patio that is much more level with a gentle downhill slope. This would be enough room for the grill but not allow for any outdoor seating.

What would you do in my situation? What are my options and the approximate costs of each? How difficult do you think each option would be for a DIYer?

bradnailer · 01-14-2009, 05:39 PM

If it were me, I'd build a deck off your covered patio. With railings and planters and such, it would look a ton better than a concrete slab.

kyassassin · 01-14-2009, 05:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bradnailer

If it were me, I'd build a deck off your covered patio. With railings and planters and such, it would look a ton better than a concrete slab.

I'm open to a deck as well. What do you think a 10x22 foot deck would cost?

Kap · 01-15-2009, 12:36 AM

Somewhere between $2,000 an $20,000.

bradnailer · 01-15-2009, 06:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kyassassin

I'm open to a deck as well. What do you think a 10x22 foot deck would cost?

Depends on the material you use but you can make a general estimate yourself. Draw out the deck design, and draw up a bill of materials then just run to the lumber yard and get prices on the material. Not sure where you live but the correct way to install the footings vary in the north versus the south. If you are mechanically inclined and don't mind working hard, a deck project is one that a homeowner could tackle.

As far as deck construction and design, either cruise the internet or buy a book that gives you the design requirements.

beranbr · 01-16-2009, 09:08 AM

A paver patio or pad is definitely possible. And there is many different ways you can go about it. You can build a raised patio up to the level of you existing cover patio, or you can build a patio that is raised on one end with retaining wall blocks, or you can dig out the patio with a retaining wall on the high end.

Option 1 (Raised patio to existing patio level) 10'x22'

Retaining wall: ~50 square face feet. Prices vary from $12-30 per square face feet
Caps: 32-40 linear feet. Prices vary from $7-20 per linear foot
Geo-textile: ~300 square feet. Price is about $0.30 per square foot
Pavers: 220-240 square feet. Prices vary from $3-7 per square foot for concrete pavers
Crush and Run: (this is the base material for the walls and pavers) ~22-25 tons. Check with you local quarry, but ~$20-30 per ton
Coarse concrete sand: 1 ton. Same as the crush and run gravel
Masonry glue for caps: 1-2 tubes: ~$5-7 per tube

Option 2 is going to be quite a bit less because you are going to use a lot less wall blocks and crush and run.

I were to hire a contractor to do this job, option 1 would probably run you any where from $5,500 to $8,000 depending on the materials you use. Options 2 and 3 are definitely going to be less and if you do it yourself....a whole lot less.

readandpost rosie · 01-18-2009, 01:40 PM

i vote for a deck, as deep (you say 10ft) as you can go without dwarfing the yard. (put your grill on it)
do the entire length of the house.
its like adding another room.

GREAT for resale!

rosie

Brickie · 02-06-2009, 02:42 PM

Quote:

What would you do in my situation? What are my options and the approximate costs of each? How difficult do you think each option would be for a DIYer?

I would go with a hardscape patio. It will look 1000 times better than a deck. Prices do vary, depending on the product line. I would definitely hire a pro.

kyassassin · 03-09-2009, 09:45 AM

I decided to do this myself using a slightly sunken or recessed patio. I am going to use patio pavers. Also, I am going to have a small 2 foot retaining wall on the left side and a similar retaining wall on the right side. I will have a very small retaining wall abour 4 feet long on the side parallel to the house.

I am having to dig 27" at the tallest side and 7" at the lowest side to account for the slope of the yard. This is a huge amount of dirt that I am removing by hand.

The final dimensions will be 13' x 9' including the retaining walls. As you can see I am still digging.

I'll try to post pictures later today. Please let me know what tips/advice/criticism you have. Thanks.

Edit: Pics Uploaded

47_47 · 03-09-2009, 11:29 AM

Make sure you slope this properly and put in a drain or 2.

kyassassin · 03-09-2009, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 47_47

Make sure you slope this properly and put in a drain or 2.

I am going to take my time with the sloping. I realize that it is essential to getting rid of water. It will be sloped to the lowest point obviously (the far right corner away from the house).

Where would you put the drains? Do you think I need french drains behind the short 2 foot retaining walls or will crushed rock be enough?

If you put a drain through the retaining wall how is that done? How far out into the yard do I need to run the drain after going through the wall? Are "weep" drains adequate or would you use something like PVC?

The final patio won't be as deep as it looks in the picture. I still have to add 4-5" of crushed rock base, 1" of sand and 2.5" of paver patio for a total of 7-8".

Finally, do you think I'm crazy building a patio like this?

47_47 · 03-09-2009, 12:43 PM

Where are you located? Do you get snow/ice?

Quote:

Originally Posted by kyassassin

Finally, do you think I'm crazy building a patio like this?

Just my 2¢, I would not build this, because of the ~2' drop (fall hazard), removing the grade from the foundation (water intrusion), possible frost movement of the short wall and wind driven debris will accumulate in the deep area.
Do you have an elevation drawing? Instead of digging down, could you raise the patio so the top is 6-7" below your door threshold, a slope of 1/8-1/4" per foot is adequate for surface drainage and not noticeable. Consider a tiered patio.

BUT, this is your house and if this is what you want we need more info.

kyassassin · 03-09-2009, 01:01 PM

Thanks for the opinion. I really appreciate it. I live in KY so I have freezing temps 3-5 months a year.

I am thinking that you may be correct and that I am crazy. I really didn't realize what I was getting myself into until I had dug the hole - which is why I posted on here.

I think I may just build up the retaining wall on all 3 sides and not dig down as far.

Also I am really getting worried about the water retention of this project. I can picture it as a big tub of water.

I'm kicking myself right now.

47_47 · 03-09-2009, 01:49 PM

Don't be too hard on yourself, you've just practiced digging.

If the soil you removed looks fairly good, I'd use it to fill in low spots. Make sure when you fill in your excavation you compact it in 2-4" lifts to give your patio a solid base.

When rethinking your design, consider adding electrical outlets and landscape lighting that can be controlled from the house.

Good luck

kyassassin · 03-09-2009, 08:22 PM

Swallowing my pride and removing my own shoe from my ass.

Just bought 70 retaining blocks and 18 caps for the retaining wall. Now I just need to get some sand and rock delivered.

I'm going to with the wall on the low end and back fill it to the high end. I'm going to need to fill that damn hole/mistake first though.