need advice on grade for paver patio

[janie_super]

Hi everybody, i'm new to this forum. I searched lots of keywords but didn't find what I needed, so i'm asking you this...

I live on the southwest mesa of albuquerque, my house is brand new, and my back yard is sand. I want a 20x20 paver patio centered around my back door, flush to my porch, and it wraps around the corner you see. you can find the picture here: http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d145/janie_super/IMG_5419sm.jpg

my neihbor behind me just graded the patio such that the patio would be level with the concrete porch, on which I plan to place mexican tile. Now, I changed my mind, and I would like a 2 inch step from the porch down to my pavers because I think it would look nicer. as you can see from my picture the corner of my house has a pillar, and I worry if I go 2 inches down to my pavers (which are 2.5 in), and 4 inches of base etc, I worry I might be going too deep for my house foundation, or make the ground unstable for that corner. I didnt' ask my neihbor cause I want to ask lots of people about this and not just take his word for it.

thanks for your advice.

Juanita Martinez:cool2:

[Paul]

A 2" step is a trip hazzard. Install the patio level or 6" to 7" lower.

As for the foundation don't worry about it.

[janie_super]

OK thanks, maybe 2 inches is too shallow, but 6 inches seems too much, thats a high step, I want a comfy strolling type step. I think I would like the same size step as is my porch to my door, I think that is 3 inches. since the house marks where the step is, and the spanish tile will make it very visible I think it might work. http://www.casatalavera.com/stairs2.htm this link shows what i'm looking for, but the tiles i'll use will be smaller and much more contrasting. like blue lines on white.

OK, thanks for your advice, many more are welcome...:chef:

P.S. correction. A standard 4 inch square mexican tile would work best here http://www.casatalavera.com/telatile.htm Therefore, maybe my step should be 4 inches. is that a good compromise??

[start2finish]

paul is right, and is being generous is reccomending a 6 inch step. I would consider 6 inches to me a tad bit short. between 7 and 8 1/4 is a good step. These are in building codes for a reason.

[janie_super]

hmmmm thats interesting. You know i've noticed different people prefer different heights. My boss for one, likes to take two steps (8 in?) at a time. I personally like them shorter, especially if i'm moseying out of the kitchen into the backyard early in the morning. I lived in a rental house with a quick drop step of probably 10 inches, and boy that was not fun!

From what i've read, many people have said not to go more than 71/2 inches, even some codes limit that, and I definitely wont go farther than that.

Currently my dirt is down at 5 1/2 inches (cause i'm grading now) and thats pretty comfortable, in fact, I cant imagine any higher, From the door sill to the porch is 3 1/2 -- 4 1/2 if you count the sill, and that is comfortable for me. however, I do think this is a personal preference. so, I wont go any shorter than that, now I realize 2" was pretty rediculous. So that narrows it down quite a bit, and knowing that my foundation wont be bothered at all, I'll be trying to go for between 4.5 to 5.5 inches then. (I also have to think about my old folks too)

I definitely appreciate all advice, and welcome it. This is going to take a few weeks, so keep it coming.

[Lanelle]

A six inch step is ok, especially for those who are a tad short.

[schaafsma]

I have worked with this design problem, in the past, before. This is my advise: Construct your paver patio level with your current concrete patio, allowing for tile of whatever you plan to veneer that concrete porch with. If you go down a step, which has to be at least 5 in. you will have to excavate quite a bit of material, this includes the 5 inches you need for your step down, 3 inches for your pavers or whatever you are going to use and then your base material, which could be 6-9 inches of compacted base. So you're looking at, at least, 12 inches of dirt removal. Where are you going to put that? So it would be better just to extend your living space from your house on your patio.
Good luck, and happy living in 'Burque.