Building the Patio — 7 Tips

If there is one thing that we dream about, it is a patio. The patio is a natural boundary between the outside and inside and allows us to enjoy the lovely weather during the summer months. It is also a relatively easy way to get larger living areas.

Terrace

A patio is like a large balcony standing on pillars. The patio is ideal for houses in soutteräng and where the ground slopes steeply after the house. A patio should be fitted with a sturdy fence so that neither children nor adults can fall over the edge.

The most common option for a patio is to create a wooden deck a short distance above ground level. The wooden deck is laid skirting. Since the wooden deck is not so high, the same requirement is not that the fence (if any) is stable enough to protect people from falls.

This applies up to a height of up to half a meter. For that reason, it doesn’t hurt with a railing. It also makes the patio beautiful. A wooden deck is cheap and easy to build a wooden deck at ground level.

Placement of the patio

The location is important for the patio or wooden deck to become a place to thrive. Many people wish for evening sun on the patio. At the same time, it should be easy to get to and from the kitchen.

It is also nice if the patio is protected and at best faces a nice view. It is possible to build a wooden deck or a number almost everywhere around the house. You can also use collapsible storage bins.

Nowadays there are those who build wooden decks with patio railings around their entire house, but for the wooden deck to be really functional, it is more important to place than with size. Too big a patio does not look harmonious with the house, but “takes over”.

One option that is a bit freer is to put a wooden deck out in the garden. The wooden deck does not necessarily have to be completed adjacent to the house.

Materials

A patio or wooden deck is usually built from pressure impregnated wood, cedar, or larch wood. The pressure impregnated wood is the cheapest and most durable. However, it also contains a lot of chemicals and is therefore not very environmentally friendly.

Cedarwood is a common alternative due to its natural resistance to rot. It is a beautiful type of wood, but all cedar wood sold in Sweden is imported. Larch has the as good ability as cedarwood and grows in Sweden.

Maintaining the patio

A wooden patio needs to be maintained annually. It is important to wash the planks regularly. Many people use a high-pressure cleaner to do the job. Then it is important not to have such pressure so that the fibers in the wood are damaged.

After cleaning, the wood needs to be oiled. It is preferably in the spring for the summer season. For those who want to use the patio without extra work, lay patio floors with wood composite. Compared to pressure impregnated timber, the decking may be expensive, but given its durability, the annual cost will still below.

Confidentiality and framing

With a well-balanced setting of the patio, it also becomes the oasis it is intended. It is possible to protect against transparency and frame in many different ways. Shrubs and trees and large pots of plants provide atmosphere while framing.

Beautifully designed planks and fences provide both fall protection and a demarcation. Trellises with flowers provide airy protection that also smells good and gives greenery. Choose according to taste, taste, and think about what the end result will be before the construction starts.

Roofing and glazing

Sails, awnings, and umbrellas serve well as protection against wetness and cold. At least at first. Then often comes a desire for glazing or a real roof. It would make the season even longer on the lovely patio. This means that the patio is happy to be built on gradually.

Although the construction is initially about building an open patio, it is worth preparing from the start for further construction. This applies not least to strength and foundation, which may bear a higher load if a roof is put on or glazing becomes the case.

Building permits and root deductions

Keep in mind that patios may require building permits depending on how they look and are built. A common patio in the ground level usually does not require planning permission. According to the Swedish National Board of Housing, Building, and Planning, there are no exact measures for when a patio requires planning permission, either in terms of size or height above the ground.

If you are planning to build a terrace above ground level, it is therefore important that you contact the building board in your municipality before you start building. You must also apply for planning permission if the patio or wooden deck is to have a plank that in total will be over 1.8 meters above the ground. Stairs shall be provided with railings if they have more than three steps.

A terrace that is built together with the residential building provides a tax reduction according to the ROT deduction rules. You may also make root deductions on the labor cost if you hire a company that cleans your patio.