Planning

First steps to your dream patio

With a carefully thought-out patio design, you expand your living spaces and create a new highlight in your home. There are various factors you should consider.

Balcony, garden and patio – the right planning for an oasis of wellbeing

During summer, we love to spend time outdoors. Because we feel freer, lighter and more relaxed. Properly designed, the balcony, patio and garden are an extension of the living room and an individual oasis of wellbeing. While secluded corners and sheltered, homely-looking areas evolve almost by themselves in a garden with old trees, it takes a little more planning in typical new development areas with smaller green spaces. But even here, cosy and private areas can be created with appropriate furnishings and greenery. Including perfect protection from sun, rain and prying eyes. Find out which solution is right for you in this article.

Starting with a lawn

Before you start designing your patio, you should consider what your needs are for your outdoor living spaces. Is it simply a leisure oasis or to grow fruit and vegetables too? A sunny pa-tio for breakfast with the family or a shady haven for relaxation? Planning a patio offers you wonderful options, but it is complex and best guided by professionals. A specialist knows about important factors such as the movement of the sun, microclimate and soil conditions, and at the same time caters to your personal preferences.

And when it comes to building permits, permissible floor space or distances to boundaries, the company will be there to help. Careful planning gives your garden an underlying structure that also allows for changing uses in the long term. This includes, for example, planning irrigation and a sensible path system that connects all areas. Of course, this also applies to the transition from indoors to outdoors, so that you can really use your patio as an outdoor living room.

Hände zusammengeschlossen mit einer Hand voll Erde

Wide choice of patio flooring: natural stone, wood, concrete or tiles

Planning a patio also means considering the materials that will be used in its construction. Outdoor spaces on patios can be built of wood, natural stone, concrete slabs or tiles. Even a simple gravel surface can have its charm. But how do you decide on the right floor surface for you? Advantages and disadvantages of the different variants:

⁠Wooden decking has the advantage that it does not heat up so quickly in the sun, which is pleasant for all those who like to walk barefoot in summer. At the same time, wood looks less stark than a stone floor and develops an attractive patina over time. The advantage of stone and tile floors is their extreme durability. With outdoor tiles, you are also more flexible in terms of design, as they are available in a wide range of patterns and colors. In winter or when it rains, however, caution is advised if you opt for floor tiles: be sure to choose tiles that offer an adequately non-slip surface.

Consider the location and orientation

The size and orientation of the awning should always be coordinated with the shadow cast by your building and the surrounding area, which is why an awning always turns out slightly differently depending on the course of the sun. The basic principle here is: the more area you want to shade on the balcony or patio, the larger the projection (extended length) and width of the awning must be.

If the patio or balcony is in full view or the seat faces west, then it makes sense to integrate an additional screen in the front bar, called a valance, that can be extended downwards to whatever height you need. Or a side shade that is stowed away in an attractively designed aluminium awning box and ready for use with a flick of the wrist.

Of course, your budget also plays a role when buying an awning. While folding-arm and box awnings are the cheaper variants, a pergola or a glass canopy with integrated shading options are among the more expensive solutions. Go through all these aspects of your patio design with an expert partner – that way you can be sure that all important points as well as your wishes and needs are considered.

Start with a dry run

As a classic area linking house and garden, the patio should reflect the style of your architecture and at the same time fulfil practical requirements. It is always a good idea to factor in sufficient space. If the seating area is too small, it will be a permanent source of annoyance when patio furniture keeps getting in the way or you’re constantly bumping into things.

Our tip when planning your patio: before making the final decision on the position and size, do a ‘dry run’, spending a little time simply sitting in your chosen spot. This lets you not only define the space you need and what view you want, but also include details such as shade, wind and weather protection by means of awnings or glass-canopy systems in your planning.

Stühle rund um einen Tisch auf einer Terasse

Five good reasons for planning your patio in winter

It doesn’t always have to be the classic

Other than the classic awning, a perfect solution in terms of sun protection for an outdoor seating area on the patio is found in what are known as pergola awnings, or glass roofs with integrated awnings. Awnings made of high-quality materials protect against harmful UV rays and prevent the indoors from heating up, while still letting in plenty of light.

Even on dull, rainy days, balconies and patios are the best places to get your daily dose of fresh air. A sturdy, waterproof awning protects against autumn rain. If you also combine the awning with side elements, you’re flexible and ready for whatever the weather throws at you.

Finding the right awning

If the next step in your patio design is to buy the right awning to give you shade, there are a few questions you should ask yourself first:

Could a neighbour feel bothered by the new awning or might any trees get in the way when it is extended? Do you need planning permission to implement your patio design? And can the awning be mounted in a protected position under a balcony or in a niche? Is it exposed to wind and weather and so requires structural protection?

The mounting location, installation situation and intended use also influence the decision. Can the awning above your patio be fixed to the wall? Is the purpose to protect you primarily from the sun or from the elements too? And perhaps also serve as a practical privacy screen at the same time?

You have more questions?

Together with our specialist partners, we help you find the right answers to these questions.

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