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Landscape Design

Landscape free house need advice

8 years ago

I have lived in my house for about 10 years . We built it with the idea that we would do upgrading as we go.

After finishing the kitchen project.. the next major upgrade is our landscape.

Right now we have nothing but a deck on the back about a 12x12. wood is in OK shape, but taking a beating with no shade.

I have 4 window wells that stick out a few feet on 2 on back and 2 on sides of the house.

Here is some things that I am considering but need advice..

The front yard may end up building a small deck off the front door steps. There is a spot right off the steps that are in front of a bedroom that would work good for this. Do I do greentreat wood or ?

The backyard is the real issue. The water flow always goes west over our yard, my house faces north. So if I do concrete I am afraid of backflowing into the window wells, or toward the house. I considered putting a cement pad down then surrounding with rock. And build stuff onto the concrete pad. Right off the deck.

Also concerned about sunlight, we have a backyard that gets blasted with sun every day.

I know it is kind of hard to explain what I have, but any advice with something that would stand up with Midwest weather and not cause issues with any snow or water.

Thank you,

Featured Answer

PRO

JSL Landscape Design Build

8 years ago

Solid roof patio cover will give the best shade although more costly than a flat open beam structure with say shade screen over the rafters. Depends on whether you want full shade or filtered sun. Make it big enough (12x12) so it actually functions. Design it around what you are going to put under it, i.e. a sit around table and chairs? Just chairs? Remember the sun angles change during the year with the best shade in June midday directly below the cover. Other times of the year and during the day, the sun will penetrate below the line of the cover. You can always put retractable shades on the west facing side if you tend to use it late afternoon. Why build a patio cover if it only provides a little bit of shade?

A solid roof patio structure (gazebo or ramada) must be designed to handle the snow load and be pitched sufficiently for runoff. Plus you say you get high winds, so the posts must be braced to withstand the wind. See if you need a building permit for a free standing patio cover before you start to design it.

I am not a big fan of using trees as the only solution when people say they want shade. Do you want to wait a few years before you will get any kind of useful shade? Build the patio cover and then plant shade trees on the south and west sides of the structure to help with different sun angles.

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Comments (9)

gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
8 years ago
Need a set of clear and descriptive photos. Pretty much impossible to give any meaningful advice or suggestions based only on a limited description of the situation..........(this is why designers/landscapers actually visit properties before providing their services :-))
Tim Farnsworth
Original Author
8 years ago
Yes sorry about that , I was at work when posting the first time.

This is my front yard, plan on doing small deck here.

This is a picture of the side of my house with vent and window well.
Also showing the back door of garage. (Where the cement pad is at)

Multiple images of backyard, a few are from the deck.
Backyard is on the south side of the house
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PRO
Yardvaark
8 years ago
Use treated wood for decking.

Grade will slope away from house for at least 10'. Doesn't matter if it's soil or conc. slab. All must slope away. There is no need to surround a slap with rock. Don't understand your thinking there.

Don't understand your question about "something that will stand up to midwest weather." What are you talking about?
Tim Farnsworth
Original Author
8 years ago
I am trying to come up with some kind of landscape that I can get some shade in the backyard, since it is always sunblasted. But also want to find out what will work that can stand snow during winter and hot temps during summer. The backyard drainage goes to the middle of the backyard so trying to figure out some thing that will not reverse the flow and go into my house window wells during downpours.

Thinking of doing some kind of sitting area in the back off the deck, but needs sunshielded without causing issues

I also have no rock or anything around the house, I know a lot use river rock, but I am looking for alternatives that will not blow away. High wind all the time in back yard.

During the winter the sun is very low.

A concrete pad in back surrounded by rock may work, but then still have sun issue..

I live in South Dakota , today it is over 100 heat index and high humidity. During the winter it can get -50 wind-chill.

The trampoline in the back can be moved, just showed up when I took the pictures. I usually put it over grass that may look sparse.
Tim Farnsworth
Original Author
8 years ago
If I end up putting a concrete pad down in the backyard, what can I do to prevent water build up between the house and the pad?. If I get a ton of rain there would be build up between the two.
emmarene9
8 years ago
You will get the best idea for trees from a local arborist.
atmoscat
8 years ago
Do you want trees for shade or some kind of structure? For tree location and suggestions on foundation plantings it would be helpful if you went farther back in the yard and took a picture that shows the whole back of the house and space on the sides as well. Also indicate where you are thinking of putting the concrete patio.
Tim Farnsworth
Original Author
8 years ago
Thinking of going with a patio right off the deck. Shade with some kind of structure.

I will try to get better pictures tommorow, to show entire area.

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