A terrace is an extremely important addition to a property, combining the advantages of a house and a garden, which is why it is often referred to as an extension of the living space or a “summer lounge under the open sky”. Designing, building and arranging it properly are not particularly difficult tasks. All you need to do is follow a pre-prepared plan, taking into account certain principles such as maintaining the slope of the ground, and choose good-quality materials, including paving elements, and we will create a pleasant and solid space. However, where there are many possibilities, it is easier to make mistakes and overlook details. We show you how to build a terrace on the ground, step by step.
Terrace location
The best location for a ‘summer lounge’ is on the south-east or west side, right next to the house. In the first case, the sun will keep us company during a long breakfast; in the second, it will be more pleasant to entertain guests in the afternoon or evening. A terrace situated in this way is usually placed at the rear of the property or on a corner to ensure a degree of privacy. It is also important that it is as close as possible to the kitchen and has access from the living room. Furthermore, we can achieve comfortable, multifunctional layouts when the terrace is around 20 square metres or larger. Smaller ones will of course also prove to be a great addition, but it will be more difficult to separate the relaxation area from the dining area.
Building a terrace on the ground
A terrace built on the ground using concrete slabs or paving blocks is a faster and more affordable way to create a raised area than traditional methods – on a concrete slab finished with porcelain tiles. This type of terrace also has many practical advantages; it is highly durable and resistant to changing weather conditions, is easy to keep clean and does not require much maintenance, unlike, for example, a wooden decking terrace. – Constructing a terrace using wet-cast slabs or concrete pavers seems to be the best solution if the client is looking for an attractive and robust extension of their living space. What’s more, a wide selection of paving materials, different patterns and colours, and products imitating travertine or solid wood, allow you to build an attractive and functional terrace in as little as a day – explains Wojciech Średniawa, chief designer at Polbruk. – When choosing paving materials, it is worth paying attention not only to their appearance, but also to other properties such as: frost resistance, abrasion resistance and the need for impregnation. These elements are laid using the ‘dry’ method, which allows us to build a terrace quickly and without the use of concrete or adhesive mortar. This method produces a surface that is essentially nothing more than a slightly larger, paved area, and its installation differs little from laying a standard pavement,” adds Wojciech Średniawa.
The “dry-lay” method step by step
Installing a terrace on the ground is possible when the surface of the plot is almost level with the threshold of the patio door. The pavers are laid flat with a slight slope (around 2%) on a carefully prepared, dry sub-base.
First, following the design, we mark out the terrace boundaries using pegs or metal pins and a transparent string. Next, we remove the soil (excavating to a depth of approximately 20–30 cm below the planned terrace level) and clear the exposed soil of any stones and root fragments. The sub-base prepared in this way must be carefully compacted using a compactor or tamper. This ensures that the terrace surface does not lose its stability and that the individual elements are not damaged. It is also necessary to create a network of drainage lines and maintain an appropriate slope (approx. 2%), which will ensure proper water drainage from the surface of the pavers or slabs. The gradient (transverse and longitudinal slope) depends on the designed drainage conditions and usually requires the ground to be lowered by an additional 0.5–3 cm for every 1 m in length. A geotextile can also be laid on the compacted sub-base to stabilise the soil. The next step is to compact the soil by spreading crushed stone (e.g. washed gravel) or sand and carefully compacting the new, approximately 10-centimetre-thick layer whilst ensuring the gradients are correctly profiled. We can then begin preparing the sub-base, which acts as a kind of foundation for the surface. Materials suitable for the sub-base include gravel, slag, crushed stone and grit. The sub-base should be approximately 10–20 cm thick and optimally compacted. The thickness of the layer before final compaction should be approximately 10% greater than that specified in the design. Next, the kerbs or retaining walls along the edge of the terrace should be set in concrete. In the next stage, a 3–5 cm layer of washed sand or, in some cases, sand mixed with cement, is spread to create an even surface. The levelled surface should have the same transverse and longitudinal slopes as the subsequent terrace surface. The slabs are laid with gaps of 10–15 mm in width, and suitable grout includes both water-permeable grout and cleaned fine-grained sand. Repeat the grouting process twice, a few hours or even days apart, to ensure that the spaces between the paving elements are tightly filled. NOTE: Before grouting, it is advisable to impregnate the surface of the slabs or pavers with a specialist product. Minor misalignments and differences in height are levelled out using a rubber mallet (white for light-coloured slabs, black for dark-coloured slabs), which will not damage the surface or leave marks on it.
A terrace laid using the ‘dry’ method can be used immediately after completion without any concerns. The materials we used to finish the ‘summer lounge’ can also be successfully used to build pavements and garden paths, thereby achieving a cohesive and aesthetic design for the entire property.
Layout and furnishings
Once the surface has been laid, it is worth considering the comfort and layout of the terrace furnishings: a table, seating, flower pots and a barbecue. This is no less important than the surface itself, as only a meticulously arranged and furnished terrace will allow us to fully relax. Regardless of the terrace’s size, try to position the furniture in the corners, which will create a cosy and comfortable atmosphere without wasting valuable space. For smaller terraces, opt for folding chairs, pouffes that can be tucked away under the table, or narrow planters with potted flowers. If the terrace is around 20 square metres or larger, you can afford to separate the relaxation area from the dining area and arrange the whole space using a table, a corner sofa and armchairs. When furnishing the terrace, it is also worth ensuring that draughts and unattractive views are eliminated. This can be achieved by screening one side of the terrace with taller plants or a planter with a pergola. This will also provide a bit of privacy. Alternatively, to create a cosy corner even in bad weather, you can cover part of the terrace with a lightweight roof. The optimal solution seems to be the use of an awning or canopy, which, unlike transparent PVC panels or glass screens, do not heat up the covered space. We mustn’t forget the accessories either: lanterns, lamps and flowers.
The key to creating a solid, durable and attractive terrace is to follow the sequence of works carefully; however, if you wish to minimise the risk of making a mistake, it is best to seek the help of a qualified specialist. The actual design of the terrace, which encourages you to spend time there on long summer days, remains a matter of personal taste.
