Raised Patios & Sunken Egress Windows

Using Retaining Walls to Transform Your Space

Outdoor Room With A View

The beauty of this Shippensburg, Pennsylvania home was raised to new heights when homeowners Brad and Dianne Wenger decided it was time to build the new patio they had dreamed of. They wanted a space large enough to entertain, with lighting and easy access to the lawn and yard below. This was going to be no small task because the vision they had included a raised patio, complete with water features and an outdoor fireplace.

Being in the tile business and understanding the need for proper construction, the Wenger’s were up for the challenge. Brent and his father, Kenny got to work on the design using products manufactured by their local company, Nitterhouse Masonry Products, LLC. With some guidance from the people at Nitterhouse and the installation information from Allan Block on retaining wall construction, the Wenger’s got to work.

Retaining walls were built first to build up the patio and level out the area. A stairway was added to make easy access to the lower part of the yard and lawn areas. Next, the patio walls were constructed to add not only additional seating areas and decorative posts, but to enclose the patio to add safety and beauty as well. The water feature, a pond in the center of the patio and the focal point of the patio, the large outdoor fireplace were the finishing touches to this outdoor wonderland.

Most homeowners might not want to take on a project of this size, instead opting for the help of a Certified Contractor, but the Wenger’s were ready willing and able to take on the task. While this project took them some time to build on their own, it was well worth the effort. Now they can sit back and enjoy the view from their new raised patio, basking in the warmth of the fire, listening to the sounds of the pond with their family and friends.

Window Wells - Adding Light to the Depths

No matter the size or style of your home, if there is a window on your house that is below grade – then you need a window well. Window wells offer more natural light into a dark basement and allow for quick escape for inhabitants if needed. They keep soil away from foundation windows and can even block or divert water that may be present.

While simple in concept, window well construction can be very serious business. Proper drainage and construction methods will ensure to make your window well a problem solver – not a problem maker. If yours is like most houses, the window well is at its root - a hard to clean hole that fills with snow, leaves and water. But there is hope, with the right design; your window well can be a thing of beauty.

There are three basic things that will help determine your options for window well design:

• What is its function?
• What are the site conditions?
• Where does the water go?

Window Type: Basic or Egress

A basic window well consists of a curved shape that is relatively shallow and is used to allow light and ventilation in to a window in the foundation. An egress window is usually part of a living or bedroom area and will not only allow light and fresh air in, but be large enough to allow occupants to escape should there be a fire or other disaster. An egress window may have additional building requirements based on your local building codes and should be verified before you start to build.

An egress window is usually part of a living or bedroom area and will not only allow light and fresh air in, but be large enough to allow occupants to escape should there be a fire or other disaster. An egress window may have additional building requirements based on your local building codes and should be verified before you start to build.

Site Conditions: Where is it Located?

In addition to the type of window you have, where the window is located on the house and the layout of the existing landscape, will also determine what construction methods are needed. The deeper the set of the window the more planning will need to be done prior to construction.

Where Does the Water Go?

While its name is a tip-off to the potential issues that can arise, proper planning and construction can avert a possible disaster. The last thing you want next to your foundation is water collecting in the well. Diverting water away from the foundation with drains, drainage rock and drainage pipes can help you avoid such a disaster.

The Allan Block Solution

Instead of using the standard galvanized steel window well frame or treated timbers that will rot over time, try building the window well with Allan Block retaining wall blocks.

• The blocks provide a beautiful texture to enhance the view from the window.
• The wall rock installed below and behind the blocks allows water to drain freely away from the window itself.
• If the well is deep, terraces can be created to provide easy access to the area and bring in more natural light.