Garden terrace alternative ideas

[Arranguez]

We are in the process of speccing a replacement for timber decking which is old and rotting. We have had drawings (attached) for a concrete terrace to be built which we have specced currently with glass balustrades and porcelain tiles.

However, at the moment the current decking gives a great view of the garden and flows (current setup also attached). While we know we will lose some aspect of this, we are wondering if laying astroturf outside the main doors instead of tiles might be an idea to retain the view of green.

We are also concerned that the glass might also feel a bit enclosed and detached, so are wondering about maybe wire fencing ideas or just more traditional metal to let wind through and feel more part of the garden.

Just wondered about collective thoughts and experiences.

[Jeremy-75qq8]

If South facing the removal of the shade in front of the doors will result in a lot of extra thermal gain

Glass is for wind or fall protection so if not either reconsider

Astro turf. No.

Poreclain can be slippy in the wet if you don't get the right slip rating

[Arranguez]

It is south facing. Glass was for aesthetics mainly and of course fall protection but any balustrade would offer the latter. We were thinking metal and wire, or maybe just a horizontal metal version.

Why is the astro a flat no?

The house is in Edinburgh which, when thinking about thermal issues, might not be such an issue!

[Byker28i]

Jeremy-75qq8 said:

If South facing the removal of the shade in front of the doors will result in a lot of extra thermal gain

Glass is for wind or fall protection so if not either reconsider

Astro turf. No.

Poreclain can be slippy in the wet if you don't get the right slip rating

We've got Porcelain tiles, put them down in two houses now. Neither were slippery, you just need to be aware of the surface texture, don't go for smooth

[48k]

I think the glass balastrade will look amazing if kept perfectly clean all the time but as soon as you get rain marks or dirt or bird st on there it will drive you batty.

[Huzzah]

48k said:

I think the glass balastrade will look amazing if kept perfectly clean all the time but as soon as you get rain marks or dirt or bird st on there it will drive you batty.

Any worse than patio doors?

Neighbours have a light porcelain patio, it reflects loads of natural light into the house. Not so keen on AstroTurf.

[Arranguez]

The glass does look great. Next door have it but sitting on theirs gave me the feeling of detachment from the garden, if that doesn’t sound too 1960s. Our terrace will be a good deal bigger with wider steps into the garden. I take the point about keeping them clean.

The astroturf is the wife’s idea and for the bit outside the bifolds I can see the logic. It wouldn’t be everywhere.

[Arranguez]

Stuff like this looks quite smart too.

[48k]

Huzzah said:

48k said:

I think the glass balastrade will look amazing if kept perfectly clean all the time but as soon as you get rain marks or dirt or bird st on there it will drive you batty.

Any worse than patio doors?

In my head yes - people tend not to lean on patio doors and put their hands on them, and at least if you get a mark on the patio door you are able to clean it off without having to go outside. And there is a lot more balustrade glass there than patio door glass. But I'm probably over thinking it.

[Mr.Grooler]

What about adding a second set of steps at the other side of the patio doors - perhaps going initially sideways then turning to drop into the lower garden? Might help make the lower section feel more connected?

I’d go for the steel railing with wires from a maintenance point of view, unless the prevailing wind is such that the glass would give a bit of welcome extra shelter if you were sat outside?

[Mr.Grooler]

I’d also say no to astro - I can’t see how that wouldn’t look a bit naff - but use some plants to add some green to the upper section and link it to the lower.

[M1AGM]

Arranguez said:

The glass does look great. Next door have it but sitting on theirs gave me the feeling of detachment from the garden, if that doesn t sound too 1960s. Our terrace will be a good deal bigger with wider steps into the garden. I take the point about keeping them clean.

The astroturf is the wife s idea and for the bit outside the bifolds I can see the logic. It wouldn t be everywhere.

Swerve the astro.

Are you trying to achieve the indoor outdoor thing with the patio doors? Reason for asking is looking at your pictures it looks to me like a step down from outside the patio doors would work well on to the patio, which would give you a lower 'deck' and you could then install a planted border instead of the glass to then blend with your garden better and give a better view out overall? Hope that makes sense.

[Arranguez]

Hi, there is no step from the doors to the decking. If anything when I replace the doors I want a flat threshold.

The foliage screening idea won’t pass building control as the drop is a good 5ft.

I’m hearing a firm NO to astro!

[Chumley.mouse]

We were in the same boat as you with a past it wooden deck/balustrade , we were going to have metal bars like in your picture but decided on wire instead. they let a lot more light through than the timber one and are almost invisible at night . You can get black wire too that are less visible than the silver ones.

Its a diy effort and not quite finished yet ( stairs ). But you get the idea.







Glass was never an option as way out my budget. but i dont think i would have it anyway as one side is high up and too difficult to keep clean

[netherfield]

Astro turf if south facing can get hot, so no bare feet and animals , house three doors down put some down outside on the veranda, must say it does look quite good, but never see them out when it's really hot.

[Arranguez]

Chumley, that does look good.

Astro samples have arrived at home and my wife is now not so certain. Tiles it is!