Raised Patio Design Ideas

Raising the Bar on Patio Design

In Sharonville, Ohio – a quaint and beautiful suburb of Cincinnati – an extraordinary outdoor patio was built this spring with rave reviews from the homeowners. This raised outdoor patio has it all from a floor to ceiling fireplace, hot tub, a kitchen/bar area with pizza oven, and an entertainment area - everything one needs to entertain in style.

Before the transformation the homeowners would look out their patio door to a small cement pad with a sloping backyard and wish they had something better. With busy lives, they knew they would not be able to tackle such a project on their own, so they sought out the help of a contractor that could expand their home outdoors and build them something they could really enjoy.

With so many possibilities, they worked with a general contractor and explained their thoughts and ideas. When the plan was finalized the homeowners knew it was going to meet all their needs and more.

One of the first steps of the project was to level the backyard. That’s when Octavio Sanchez from Master Retaining Wall Solutions of West Chester, OH and his crew were brought in to install a retaining wall to create the raised patio the foundation of the project. Using Allan Block’s Abbey Blend pattern,from the AB Europa Collection, along with 80 tons of backfill material the project had begun.

With the retaining wall and paver floor in, an extension to the roof was installed over part of the patio that expanded their home right out into the outdoors. Octavio then installed the AB Courtyard Collection on top of the retaining wall to enclose the patio. This 2-sided wall system added privacy as well as additional seating for their larger gatherings. Lighting and built-in speakers were added to the AB Courtyard wall for a complete entertainment package.

For access to the backyard a beautiful set of stairs were installed. With great detailing work from Octavio, the beautiful and flexible AB Courtyard products and wrought iron handrails give the staircase an upscale look and feel. The entire project took about 2 months and the homeowners couldn’t be happier. Another great project with Allan Block.

Raised Patios - So Many Possibilities

Raised patios, come in many different shapes and sizes and with their natural appearance and low maintenance they are popular for both backyards and also for a new approach to landscaping the front yard.

As with the traditional ground level patio, raised patios can be built using our retaining wall products from our AB Collection, AB Europa Collection or AB Fieldstone Collection. They can be raised just a few inches above ground level or several feet. Pavers are the perfect compliment to complete the surface of the patio. To enclose the patio, which gives the feeling of an “outdoor room”, a great twosided patio wall system - AB Courtyard - is a fantastic choice.

Raised patios, unlike wooden decks, have the advantage of being low in maintenance. You won't have to stain your retaining wall, for example, and the blocks and pavers will not rot. Because they are made of concrete they are also very durable and virtually won't wear out. Installing a raised patio uses the same steps outlined in our retaining wall installation guide. Before beginning make sure to check with your local city in regards to any permits that may be required.