If you have a small house on a slope, a terrace is a great way to add space and get some sun. It is also a very good selling feature for your home, especially if you are planning on moving. But before you can build a terrace, you must first decide what you want it to be used for and whether or not it will fit into the overall garden design.
A terrace deck is a type of multi-purpose outdoor space that can be used for dining, lounging and even swimming if it is built around a pool. It is made of a number of different materials, such as wood, composite material and concrete, and often has a roof.
Building a terrace is a great way to expand your garden and create a nice area to spend time with family or friends outdoors. You can even use it as a place to entertain guests. But before you can start building, you must determine what you want to use it for and how much space it will take up.
1. Measure your existing space
Before you can make a terrace platform, you must determine what is already in place on the site and how much elevation change there is on the hill. This will help you understand how much space you will need to work with and where you should place your garden furniture and other structures.
2. Draw out your idea
Before making a terrace, it is important to sketch out some ideas on paper. This will give you an idea of what it will look like and will ensure that your ideas will be feasible when it comes to construction.
3. Plan the structure of the terrace with a ruler and pencil
A good starting point is to draw out the general size of your terrace with a ruler and pencil. You can do this on a piece of gridded paper or by using a plan view from Google Earth.
4. Choose the materials you want to use
To make your terrace a success, it is important to consider the type of decking that you will be using. Many people prefer using composite or processed lumber for their decks, as these are durable and don’t splinter or warp. However, natural wood is also a very popular option for decking and is considered a traditional decking material.
5. Lay out a contour line for your terrace
To keep water from running off the terrace, you need to find a contour that will stay level on the entire terrace. You can use a low-tech gadget called an A-frame level to do this, or you can simply drive stakes in along the elevation contour every 2-6 feet.
6. Mulch to reduce erosion and stabilize the soil
Before you plant, it is important to mulch the terrace well. This will reduce erosion and help the soil to settle and decompose more quickly. This will also help to increase the soil’s nutrient content.
