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Landscape Design Porches & Decks Design Dilemma

Sloped driveway converted to patio?

3 years ago

I am remodeling my garage into a rec room and eventually replacing the doors with something glass. Because I'm (hoping!) to put in a pool, there will need to be a gate/fence across the driveway (it'll be about three feet from the back of the car in this pic).

I want to use the driveway space as either an outdoor dining area or a firepit area with seating. Is it possible to layer more concrete to even it out for furniture? What about pea gravel in a kind of gravel stabalizing grid system? Semi-permanent furniture designed to be flat to sit on with the existing slope?

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Comments (5)

PRO
GN Builders L.L.C
3 years ago
Just to make sure I got this right...Are you turning your front yard into a backyard?
ardsleyranch
Original Author
3 years ago
It’s the side yard. And thanks for the judgement.
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I see no problem with what you wish to do. Our home is on a large hill. You drive into the lower driveway, and step up to our pressure treated wood pool deck. Below the deck is lattice, but the only thing it blocks is critters from hiding underneath it. You then step up to the next level which is a large concrete patio, even with the bottom floor level of our split level home. Around the corner, you step up again to a wooden deck which has an entrance to the next level of our home, and additional steps up to a deck over the lower driveway. It does have lattice, which I like because it blocks all the junk under that deck. All of our decks have wrought iron railings, and I see yours are wood. I think concrete at the lower level would make you happy and would look nice.
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If I may, I would suggest to build up the rock retaining wall along the driveway a couple levels higher, raising this you will start to level off for your patio. Adding steps on the narrow side will help break up the wall add another design element into your space and will help create a sense of depth to the narrow area. Plant tall vegetation along the street side of the property to provide privacy and create an a more intimate area. Add a stone retaining wall next to the fence but provide space for more vegetation to break up the fence from the house. Continuing the wall on the fence will help you lower the back side elevation to meet your driveway wall height and give you a nice flat space. To really make it feel and look great from the house continue the fence wall out into the patio area in a circular design on the uphill side to create a seat wall and define the area. Good luck!
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Seabornman
3 years ago
Are you raising up the garage floor to match the rest of the house? How much is that? If you do, you'll be able to add a full thickness of concrete, pavers or even a wood deck in that area. You can't taper concrete down to nothing.
3onthetree
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
I don't follow, and not being judgmental. If you are putting a pool there, won't you be removing the concrete driveway? If you want a temporary level patio until the pool is built, any pea gravel = NEVER, additional concrete topping = no.

It doesn't look like a steep slope, but if the "temporary" is a few years off it may be cost worthwhile to just lay sleepers on the driveway and decking on top of that.
ardsleyranch
Original Author
3 years ago
I actually never thought about raising the garage floor and then adding a deck. I’m really into that idea! The pool will be to the left of the driveway. I do intend to do some pavers around the pool, so the wood would be a beautiful contrast. Another dilemma then, though. I wanted to replace the garage doors with another set of garage doors, but all glass. I wonder if that could still work with raising the floor (affordably). I’m not opposed to sliders. I do appreciate your thoughts. This is the biggest project I’ve undertaken. I’ve done a couple kitchen remodels before so I do trust myself. But this feels BIG. No chance you know of any good contractors in the Chico, CA area, is there?

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