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feet.

With not all that much learning effort, you might also use basic drawing software found in Word or Excel. More advanced drawing software can of course be obtained.
Outside edges of the house are drawn. All doors and windows in the house wall, for the first floor only, must be indicated. The shape and extent of the proposed patio is then drawn, with proper relation to the house. Features such as steps and railings are then added.

You can easily consider and visualize various layout options by making new drawings.

MATERIALS

A variety of materials are available for the patio surface, including the following;

Stone, including limestone, granite, marble and slate
Concrete pavers, with various colors and textures
Brick
Concrete

Edge walls can be also be built using similar materials. With concrete pavers, edge walls are typically formed with "segmental" concrete blocks that interlock without mortar.

DRAINAGE

Proper drainage is essential for any patio, especially adjacent to a house. For a raised patio, drainage is even more important to prevent water infiltration into the fill material under the patio surface. Although fill should be very-well draining material such as crushed stone, accumulation of water under the patio is never desirable.

The patio surface must have positive slope away from the house and any other element that could be damaged by runoff of surface water. Proper slope must be accounted for in the design phase, not after construction as started.

EDGE TREATMENT

For most raised patios, the surface will be more than 7 inches (one normal step) above adjacent grade. A railing should always be considered to prevent fall injuries Railings are essential when the height above grade is more than 18 inches.

Railings must have adequate strength to prevent falls, especially as the elevation above grade increases. Railings should also be durable and attractive. Various materials and styles are available. However, the cost of stone or concrete railings are much more expensive than painted aluminum or steel.

Any curb must not block drain water.

EFFECT ON HOUSE FOUNDATION WALLS

If, as is typical, the patio is to be installed adjacent to a foundation wall along a full basement, structural evaluation of the foundation wall is important. Such evaluation is necessary even if there is to be a narrow space between the patio and foundation wall.

Severe damage can be caused if a raised patio is installed along a foundation wall that does not have adequate capacity to resist the greatly

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