Sloped land landscaping ideas needed!
Leo Tao
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
Hi All,
I'm doing an extension and want to redo the backyard landscaping. The challenge we're having is that our land slopes to the back which makes it less usable than if it was flat. We've considered leveling it by putting a few steps in the garden like this:
We were told that retaining walls will be expensive to put in. Any ideas on how we can achieve this on a reasonable budget or an idea on costing would be appreciated! Attached survey for easy interpretation of the slope. Enlarged image of contour lines attached.
From balcony to back fence is about 13meters.
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Leo Tao
3 years agoRelated Discussions
Help, we need more ideas
Comments (8)Hi I have work in the building Industry for many years before venturing into Landscaping and Design. It come to this having a split level can be easy but you will need to think would you like to come up and down multi level home. I had a multi level home at Bonnells Bay (Newcastle) N.S.W. and found after living there for 5 year a bit of chore to go up and down the level so much. A single level flow better to go with a Alfresco Dinning experience, as if you have a guest at your house been entertain on the outside it make it hard to find a toilet if needed. I would say to your husband to weigh up the cost, it is simple and as follows a retaining wall of one level, can be anything from stone or besser block or timber. These element will be what you can afford to do, the stone and besser are the most expensive of the 3 but require the less maintenance and last the longest. Timber can be low cost, but has the tendency to decay over time and has a life span of no longer then 5-8 year, depending on environmental conditions. A retaining wall of that height of 1.5m, tend to need a engineering spec to built and so my advise is to go for the besser as it the cheaper then stone. if your are concern on look of the besser, it can dressed up with stone looking tile or there a number of option to go for. is to get the costing of doing a multi level home design. This can be costly too depend on if it going to be slab or bears and joist home, as the cost differ and different type of process have to happen. You got to ask yourself, is my house raise of the ground or is a slab that sit directly on the ground. to put it to you as simple as I can, for a slab need steel and pier to be dug and so on, so if this is the case then with your current house is siting on a cut and fill which is common for this type of slab construction. Where a Bearers and joist system sit on top of a raised pier that come off the ground. this is what a lot of the older style home have, the only thing about this not a lot of builder and trades people do not how to do this as it a dying art of constructing house. final option is to do a raise slab which raises like a retaining wall but in face bricks and a slab is pore on top but not seen form the outside and the face bricks continues As for the design of your house it all up to what you want for a house, you have to ask yourself can I use this for the long term or is something I want rather then need. Sometime we over compensate for thing and the saying in design is less tends to be best. a flowing design is a happy one and can be more of a chore to go with something that is wanted then needed. A little tip for your kitchen, make shore that the sink, stove and fridge are in a triangle form from each other as this flow the best when cooking. Any tip of knowledge on retaining wall just send me a message...See MoreLandscape/ plunge pool ideas?
Comments (4)A pool of any sort is going to be expensive. The photos imply quite a steep slope. You either need to cut in or raise up, both of which will require elaborate and costly engineer designed retaining walls. Why bother? It's a great looking natural site that could be really enhanced with a good garden that would retain the slope and be far cheaper....See MoreHelp with landscaping our front sloping lawn
Comments (7)Plant Eucalpyts at your peril and have fun getting things to grow under them. Low maintenance? Northern Tassie yeah? Retaining wall across the front set back 1m from front boundary with a return either side(height? I don't know your levels but 1 to 1.2m is always a good height and needs no engineering detail). Scoria or white pepple, multi coloured stone between nature strip and base of wall. Above retaining wall a mass planting of succulents amongst another stone bed with some semi mature shrubs that grow well in your locality. Wide as you like it in regards to the garden bed above the wall with stepping stone(big paver, non invasive ground covers in confined squares ect) access to it and through it. One specimen tree in centre of garden(no...not a gumtree. Got a farm? Yes? Then you can plant a gumtree). Various really large pots with specimen plants in them placed up near your front entrance. A detailed plan could be done with much more info but you'll have to contact a local landscaper for that.(and plant advice and try to get an idea of where you plant/tree choices will be in 10 years even your not there) ....See MoreFeedback on floorplan on a sloping block- Need help!
Comments (27)ddarroch Thanks for all the great suggestions. Pity indeed about the directions of the sun and view. Can't change the profile of the block only can try to work out the best based on what it is. Very valid points about the heating VS. clerestory windows. We are in the temperate climate region which keeping warm it’s an issue in winter. We have thought about to have low-e glass in the south facing side but looks like we probably need to have double glazing in places like the north facing clerestory windows like you suggest. No ideas how much more double glazing will cost but certainly we need to include a fair amount into our budget. Agree with having a door separating the living from the back of the house like you said. Much better for heating and sound insulation. Again thanks a lot....See More
oklouise
3 years agolast modified: 3 years ago
julie herbert
3 years agoA few ideas, there are some fabulous products available, best to get advice as oklouise suggests before starting your project this can save on $ and heartache.
Kate
3 years ago
Austere Hamlet
3 years agolast modified: 3 years agoIt really depends on what your idea of a garden is. I love steeply sloping sites because they are easier to achieve the kind of gardens I like. The mystery garden that's very naturalistic with a winding path and many secret sitting spaces.
If your idea of a garden is lawn edged with bushes then for sure, the sloping site won't seem ideal. You've had enough feedback about this issue so I'm just going to post pictures of steeply sloping gardens that aren't a patchwork of lawns. Food for thought.
Emanuel Hussain
4 months agolast modified: 3 months agoKate
4 months ago
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