If you live in Totterdown, Brislington, or hilly North Bristol, you know the struggle of the "sloping garden." You might have a great view, but if your lawn is at a 30-degree angle, you can't exactly put a dining table on it without your sausages rolling away.
At Joe's Fencing & Landscaping, we specialise in turning these awkward gradients into assets. Multi-level (or terraced) decking is the ultimate solution for steep properties, creating flat, usable "zones" without the massive expense of excavating tons of earth for retaining walls.
Why Choose a Split-Level Design?
Beyond just fixing a slope, multi-level decks add architectural interest. A flat, square deck can sometimes look a bit plain. A split-level design creates a journey through the garden.
- Zoning: You can designate the upper deck for morning coffee (near the house doors) and the lower deck for a secluded dining area or hot tub.
- Flow: Wide steps connect the spaces, making the garden feel larger and more accessible.
- Storage: The void space under the higher levels is perfect for creating waterproof storage for bikes or lawnmowers.
Project Showcase: The Steep Drop in Knowle
The Challenge: The client had a back door that opened onto a sheer 1.5-metre drop to a muddy lower garden. The space was dangerous for their children and completely wasted.
The Solution: We designed a three-tier system.
- Top Tier: A compact "balcony" deck flush with the kitchen doors, featuring a glass balustrade to preserve the view over the city.
- Middle Tier: A wide staircase leading to a mid-level landing, breaking up the descent so it didn't feel like a ladder.
- Lower Tier: A large, sprawling entertainment deck that covered the muddy patch, providing a stable play area for the kids.
The Result: The family gained an extra 40 square metres of usable living space that was previously thin air.
Safety Meets Style: Balustrades
With multi-level decks, safety is paramount. Any drop over 600mm generally requires a barrier, but safety doesn't have to look industrial.
We often use toughened glass panels with stainless steel clamps for these projects. This keeps the children safe without blocking the light or the view of the lower garden. For a more rustic look, we use thick timber handrails with marine-grade rope or horizontal slats.
Engineering the Slope
Building on a hill requires serious structural integrity. We don't just "rest" the deck on the ground.
We use heavy-duty 100mm x 100mm timber posts, concreted deep into the ground (often 600mm–900mm deep depending on the soil). We also use a laser level to ensure that even if the ground is chaotic, your deck is perfectly flat to the millimetre.
Conquer Your Slope
Don't look out at your uneven garden and see a problem; see an opportunity for a stunning tiered design.
Featured Image Image * [A stunning three-tiered timber deck built on a steep slope; the levels are connected by wide box steps with integrated LED lighting, and the upper level features a clear glass balustrade] Image Alt Text * Multi-level terraced decking installation on a sloping garden in Bristol Tags Select Tags * Multi-Level Decking, Sloping Garden Solutions, Garden Safety, Glass Balustrades, Bristol SEO Settings Meta Title * Multi-Level Decking: Solutions for Sloping Gardens | Joe's Meta Description * Transform steep or uneven gardens with multi-level decking. We showcase tiered deck projects in Bristol that create usable, stylish outdoor zones.