Raised Patios: The Best Options for Gardens with Different Levels

Skica 3D

6 hours ago

5 min read

Gardens with different levels can be some of the most interesting spaces to landscape, but they can also be some of the most challenging.

A common problem is a house that sits considerably higher than the garden, a garden that slopes away from the property, or an extension that has changed the relationship between the internal floor level and the outside space.

In these situations, a raised patio or terrace can completely change how the garden works.

Instead of immediately stepping down from the house, a raised patio can extend the usable living space outside, creating a level area for dining, entertaining and relaxing before transitioning into the rest of the garden.

But there are several ways of building one.

At Garden Ezee, we've been landscaping gardens for more than 25 years, so we've used traditional construction methods as well as newer engineered systems. The right solution depends on the height, ground conditions, access and design of the garden.

Backyard patio under construction with steel frame steps, tiled deck, and house and fence in the background.

Option 1: Traditional Retaining Walls and Infill

One of the most established ways of constructing a raised patio is to build retaining walls and create a solid structure behind them.

Depending on the height and ground conditions, this can involve:

Excavation
Concrete foundations
Blockwork or retaining walls
Large quantities of hardcore
Compaction
Drainage
Concrete or screed
Paving or porcelain

For some gardens, this remains an excellent solution.

However, as the height of the patio increases, the amount of material and construction involved can increase significantly.

Access also becomes important. Moving tonnes of excavated soil out of a garden and bringing tonnes of stone, blocks and concrete back in isn't always straightforward – particularly where everything has to travel through the house or down a narrow side passage.

Newly tiled backyard patio with wide steps in a suburban garden between brick houses, sunlit and empty after rain

Option 2: Raised Timber or Composite Decking

Decking has traditionally been one of the easiest ways of dealing with changes in garden level.

Rather than filling the entire area underneath, a structural frame can be built above the ground and timber or composite decking installed over it.

This can dramatically reduce excavation.

Composite decking has also become increasingly popular because it offers lower maintenance than traditional timber.

For contemporary gardens, decking can work extremely well, particularly where a warmer-looking surface is preferred.

The important consideration is the structure underneath.

A raised deck needs to be properly designed to support the finished surface and remain stable over time.

Option 3: Raised Porcelain Patio on a Steel Frame

This is where the way we construct raised patios at Garden Ezee has changed considerably.

Garden Ezee is the installation company behind the iGarden iFrame system – a precision-engineered galvanised steel framework developed specifically for outdoor surfaces.

Instead of creating a large solid structure underneath the patio, we can create the required level using the steel frame.

Porcelain tiles are then dry laid onto the framework.

The result looks like a conventional porcelain patio from above, but underneath it is a completely different form of construction.

Modern house backyard with wide tiled steps, a wooden privacy wall, glass doors, and blooming tree under cloudy sky

Why Build Above the Ground?

One of the biggest advantages of a framed raised patio is that we don't necessarily have to completely reshape the ground underneath it.

The structure can bridge changes in level while the existing ground remains below.

This can significantly reduce the amount of excavation, hardcore and concrete required.

It can be particularly useful for gardens with:

Steep slopes
Significant level changes
Difficult ground conditions
Restricted access
Existing drains and manholes
Services running through the garden
Mature trees and established planting

The larger the difference in levels, the more important the construction method becomes.

Creating a Flush Transition from the House

One of the main reasons homeowners consider a raised patio is to improve the connection between the house and garden.

Modern extensions often include large bifold or sliding doors. Internally, the floor may be beautifully level, but outside there can be a significant drop into the garden.

A raised terrace can help continue that level outside.

With careful detailing around the property, drainage and damp-proof course, the outdoor surface can be designed to create a much cleaner transition between inside and outside.

Rather than opening the doors onto an immediate set of steps, you step onto a usable outdoor living area.

That can completely change the feeling of the space.

Incorporating Steps into a Raised Patio

Eventually, the raised area has to meet the rest of the garden.

Steps therefore become an important part of the design rather than something that should simply be added afterwards.

They can be positioned centrally to create a strong feature, located to one side to maximise usable patio space, or incorporated across a wider section of the terrace.

With the iFrame system, the steps themselves can be formed from engineered steel frames and finished to match the main patio.

This helps the entire terrace feel like one structure rather than separate elements added together.

What About the Sides of the Patio?

A raised patio also needs careful consideration from the side.

Depending on the design, the exposed structure can be enclosed using materials such as porcelain, composite products or other suitable external cladding.

This gives the terrace a clean, finished appearance while maintaining the engineered structure behind it.

On higher terraces, balustrades may also be required for safety and can be incorporated into the overall design.

What Happens to Drainage and Manholes?

This is an area where raised construction can have a significant advantage.

With a traditional patio, drains and inspection chambers often need to be incorporated into the paving using access covers.

With a framed patio, services can potentially remain beneath the structure.

Because the porcelain tiles are dry laid, individual tiles can be lifted using suitable lifting equipment if access underneath is required.

This means drainage, pipework and other services don't necessarily have to disappear permanently beneath the finished garden.

Raised Patios Around Established Trees

Trees can create another challenge when changing garden levels.

Large-scale excavation around established trees can damage important root zones, while raising ground levels directly around a tree can also cause problems.

A framed structure gives us another option.

Where the design and site conditions allow, we can build around or above areas of existing ground rather than automatically excavating everything underneath the proposed patio.

Every situation involving established trees needs to be considered individually, but having another construction method available gives us considerably more design flexibility.

Modern backyard with dark house, tiled patio steps, hot tub, lawn, and cloudy blue sky, calm and tidy.

Which Raised Patio Construction Is Best?

There isn't one answer.

A traditional retaining wall may be exactly the right solution for one garden.

Another might suit composite decking.

For gardens with larger level differences, difficult access or where a porcelain finish is wanted, an engineered steel-framed patio can offer a very different approach.

The important thing is not to decide how the patio will be built before properly understanding the garden.

At Garden Ezee, we look at the levels, access, ground conditions, drainage, property and how you actually want to use the space before recommending a construction method.

Turning Difficult Levels into Part of the Design

A garden with difficult levels doesn't have to be viewed as a problem.

In fact, some of the best gardens we've created have started with significant level changes.

Raised terraces, wide steps, planting areas and different garden zones can turn those changes in height into one of the strongest features of the finished design.

The key is choosing a construction method that works with the site rather than unnecessarily fighting against it.

Thinking About a Raised Patio?

If you're considering a raised patio, porcelain terrace or complete garden transformation, send Garden Ezee some photographs of the garden along with approximate measurements and an indication of the height difference you're dealing with.

We can take an initial look at the project, discuss the different construction options and help you decide the best way to turn the space into a practical outdoor living area.