[anon]

I should have explained the house more clearly, sorry. The house does not have a basement and is on crawl space. The left half of the house is 2' above grade. The right half of the house is almost at grade. You can see 2 different sill levels in the picture. The sill level on the left side of the house is at the inside floor level.
The sill below the big windows on the right side of the picture is approx 1' above the inside floor level, i.e. the bottom of those big windows is about 1' from the inside floor level.


I suppose I could have a deck. I just like the stone patio look.

I am conused about "damage to the house"; "patio against conventional framing" remarks above. The lateral forces from the patio along the length of the house are going to be on the brick wall. What woudl that have to do with the framing.

I suppose I could also have steps going down from the french door to a single level patio at or slightly above grade.
Ideally I would love to step out of the
kitchen on the patio instead of taking 2-3 steps down. Easier to carry stuff in and out.

[agla]

Conventional framing is a foundation (poured concrete or concrete masonry units also known as 8" block - maybe what you are calling a brick?) with a wood sill plate with floor joists sitting on top of it and a band joist going around the outside of it, and plywood subflooring over all of that. This would mean about 12" of wood making up the difference between the foundation and the floor of the house. This would be the same whether it is a basement or a crawl space.

It sounds like you have masonry right up to the threshold of your door. If that is the case, you do not have conventional framing, so don't worry about it.

[GLAN]

I know that the deck may seem like settling.....



But it's a great option.....French doors is the kitchen.......correct?

So then deck off those doors and go left along the house.......You'd probably want the BBQ within reasonable distance of the kitchen.......BBQ goes up there.....along with a round table or rectangle, umbrella, chairs, pots of flowers and other stuff.

The lower paver patio area, which I am guessing along the side of the house is where you would have a walkway from the front to the back?..........If so........paver the patio and walk out to the front......The patio area gets the moveable fire pit, maybe whicker type furniture......like a lounge area.


Coinsidentaly.......that is what I did......except reverse. I already had the deck.......many moons ago I install a natural stone patio.

And I have a Jacuzzi tucked in next to the steps for the deck.

I have been meaning to take pics..........running out of time. So let me try and do that this weekend.

[Fine Edge]

IT looks like conventional framing to me and I think what agla is concerned about is the 12" of wood framing below the door that may be subject to water damage with a raised patio flush to the bottom of the door. Even though there is brick on the outside, the inside of the brick / block is still lumber.
If you decide to go the route that you mentioned, waterproofing against the house should be mandatory, and then again between the wall that will need to be built against the house and any fill required.

[agla]

Yes, Fine Edge has explained my concern a lot more clearly. Thank you FE.

[Fine Edge]

Agla, I'm just sad to see my tree removed from your MOQ logo!
( Or should I say YOUR tree)!!!!

[agla]

I was cut down in my prime!

[ckcland]

Question 1: where is the back door located? Just off to the right I am guessing.

I like the idea of keeping the patio at current ground level and spend the savings form raising the patio and incorporate sitting walls and columns ( and lighting of course!)

what area are you in?

[Brenna]

I am also building a raised patio with a design similar to Anon's. We have french doors that create a "bump" out. We plan to create 3 stairs onto a raised patio that will continue to circle out to the left (if you're walking down the stairs from the french doors). This area will hold the table and grill. Then to the left, we would like to add a few more long stairs from the raised patio to go to another level that's flush with the grass. This will hold a 10x10 patio and a fire pit. This will also circle out wider to the right of the house. We are having a problem figuring out how to connect the stairs to the bump out since it is open beneath. I have attached a picture. I could use recommendations on how to solve this problem. Also, if you think our design could use some help, I would really appreciate suggestions on that as well. Thanks in advance.

[Stonehenge]

You may need to pour a slab with frost footings beneath it for your steps. If they will be made from brick and block, they shouldn't be attached to the house, unless those footings are in place.