Our simple plan was to build a floating deck right there on the square leveled area, adding a privacy screen on one side and railings on the most elevated parts. Steps. carriage bolts. All in all, we spent three full weekends working on this project. I settled for the Beach Dune color one of the colors my local Home Depot store had in stock. The centerpiece, quite literally, of Cristina Garay’s recent backyard makeover was her amazing DIY floating deck. About your question, it is possible to build a deck without joining it to the house and it is known as a "free standing deck". The entire area was then covered with landscape fabric, because the last thing I wanted to deal with were those pesky weeds. While a floating deck might be next to a building, it may also be a standalone structure in the middle of your yard. Railing posts can be attached to the eaves as shown. You can never have enough places to sit, especially on a 16 ft. x 21 ft. deck, so I got this ottoman pouf for extra seating. The exterior frame was done with 2 x 8 x 16 pressure treated lumber, attached to the 4 x 4’s in each concrete deck block. Patios provide ideal spots for parties, storage and outdoor relaxation. 7 years ago on Introduction. Building a Deck On a Sloped Site - How to Design & Build a Deck ... you can build … You can build the structural deck out of concrete, as it sounds like you are doing, or wood-frame construction. You can quickly turn this pathway into an area for lounging. x 4 in. x 8 in. This is the keyword I kept coming back to, and let me tell you it’s not easy to find “the perfect tutorial” for a solo amateur. The foundation and framing are the most important part: ground contact lumber, how to deal with a sloping yard, how to drill through concrete, how to keep water out and prevent wood rot, and so much more. Catch the whole thing, start to finish, right here. Construction was put on hold until this issue, and some unwelcome snow was out of the way. Once the exterior frame was done, we made sure to square it off by measuring it from corner to corner, pushing or pulling the frame until both measurements were the same. How Many Footing Do You Need For Your Deck? I went for a composite decking material: Trex. Very easy to install. If you have a lush, green backyard, you might be wondering how to build a floating deck over grass. Floating decks are also called ground-level decks because they typically hug the ground. I love that you can just move it around anywhere. Reply Upvote. It doesn’t exist! So here’s my li’l back yard. If you're planning on building a ground level deck, ground contact lumber is an essential element. Beyond this generalization, you also need to consider if the soil is unstable, loose or sandy. No visible screws and perfectly spaced boards. ... Let the Experts at Schafer Construction Build Your Dream Deck. How to Build a Deck on Sloped or Uneven Ground. Holy moly, you guys. My initial plan to install a privacy screen on that back-left side of the deck was canceled after one of my neighbors filed a complaint for the height of our structure. 1....>> how to build a ground level deck on a slope . Terms of use. Then, following the plan, we set the concrete deck blocks in their designated spaces, 12 of them. If you have carpentry skills, you can build a gable roof for a simple rectangular structure, such as a shed. Floating Deck Extras Building a deck on a slope can be tricky, but you can easily do it when you know what steps to follow. Usually a Geo-technical engineer or someone with lots of experience with building decks will know exactly what to do. On a hillside or slope deck like this I would recommend Imus Cap for joist and beam protection against wood rot. It’s not a bad rule of thumb to simply increase the depth of the footing one foot for every unit horizontal steeper the slope gets. That’s right, I don’t even remember for how long we kept this space in that kind of disarray. The intrepid DIYer and author of Remodelando La Casa built the deck to compensate for her steeply sloped backyard, giving her a comfortable and level space for enjoying her backyard. Between 3:1 and 2:1 slopes, a minimum of two feet deep, and between 2:1 and 1:1 slopes, no less than 3 feet deep. Not that I thought it would be, but I wanted the simplest deck plans I could get my hands on. I used my Ryobi Air Strike nailer and spacers for an easy install. In part two, I've got tips for installing diagonal decking boards. Oct 4, 2018 - How to build a DIY floating deck (aka ground level deck) that is on a slope and partially over concrete - SO MUCH covered in what you need to know! We then added a 2-in. It’s so embarrassing to show the entire world the ugly condition in which we had kept our backyard for the past few years. It angles down from the house, dropping many feet in relative elevation. layer of gravel to be sure nothing would grow there. Obviously this information will vary based on your home, your backyard landscape, and how large you want your deck to be. Fast forward 12 years, and the once beautiful playground turned into the junk yard you saw at the beginning of this post. In order to keep the joists solid and well secure, we installed the joist hangers. x 42 in. A ground-level deck, sometimes referred to as a floating deck or platform deck, is so-called because, unlike conventional decks, a ground-level deck is not attached to a home or building. The old wooden retaining wall was stained, trying to match the color of the decking. Up next, Iâm going to give you the details of how this project went for me, in hopes that it can be of help if you ever decide to build your own floating deck. We didn’t escape from digging, and it had to be done way down into the ground, below the retaining wall. Follow along to see how this gorgeous outdoor space was built. Then, I reinforced the connections with screws. At first, we wanted to cover the entire leveled area, wood and everything, but after taking measurements and trying to keep the cost down, we decided to go with a 16 x 16 ft. floating deck. Learn how to maintain your deck with our YouTube video. You have to account for the slope grade and be sure the deck is stable and secure. On the second day of work and after inspection, we were told that the back and main wooden retaining wall was not very strong. It measures about 14 feet x 16 feet. Often, the posts supporting them are not visible… While a floating deck may appear to “float” above the grass, this style of deck is actually built on a bed of gravel or on concrete blocks for stability. This is the very first post of this series, but you will be able to catch the whole thing, start to finish, right here. This way, the deck would be nice and square and the back edge would be perfectly straight. Build Your Own Floating Deck. That’s why we leveled off a square section for our kidsâ playground. Deckmate screws from the outside of the exterior frame and into each end of the joists. Part 2: Frame & WaterproofingPart 3: DeckingPart 4: LandscapingPart 5: Light Pole Planters Hey there! Our first step was to clean the area and level it some more. If the deck is only 1 or 2 feet above fairly level ground, you can build simple stairs using precut stringers available at home centers. For maximum strength and durability, the posts and the railing posts should be one and the same. How to Build a Deck on Sloped or Uneven Ground. Here’s how she built the DIY floating deck– including facing some unexpected obstacles. x 16 ft. Trex Beach Dune Grooved Edge Capped Composite Decking Board - 310483782, 4 in. The materials and measurements listed are for the size we built. Roof deck framing, unlike for decks at ground level, doesn’t entail a ledger attached to the rim joist of a house. x 10 in. x 16 ft. #2 Prime or Better Ground Contact Pressure-Treated Lumber - 304672979, 11-1/2 in. The Home Depot was definitely our best friend for this project. Contractors built our super large patio but when we needed to put a smaller concrete pad in on a slope we did it ourselves. Digging within the circle ensures you have enough room but aren't digging more than you have to. While you can build one on concrete pavers or over an existing level patio, perhaps the soundest way to support a floating deck is with pre-made concrete deck blocks that … From ‘Instructables‘, this simple DIY floating deck tutorial is one of my favorites, because it’s so basic I think even beginning DIY’ers could do it. The final details were to add post caps and completing the railing around each post. Patio construction is not difficult with the right materials and tools. This plan that I have done will also help show you how to build a floating deck, which I had to do anyway because of the slope. It wasn’t cheap, but I’m going to see its value throughout the years with the minimum or no maintenance required. Step 2: Post Holes Were 2' Deep. If the deck is higher or the ground slopes, careful planning is required to make sure that all the steps (including the bottom one) are the same height. To prevent avoid penetrating the roofing membrane. I’m building a floating deck in my back yard! Building a 24 x 20 deck on steep slope building a 24 x 20 deck on steep slope sloped backyard building a shed on slope the garage journal board sloped how to build a deck on slope footing for deck on slope with one side near grade home building a 24 x 20 deck on steep slope sloped. How to Build a Gable Roof. Building a deck on a slope presents several problems. We also added Trex fascia boards around the perimeter of the deck, and installed a flower box on the side of the deck to cover up the gap the elevation created. We drove two- 2 ½ in. Due to flood plain regulations, the deck cannot be attached to the house-- it has to be free-floating. x 11-1/2 in. Two days later the materials arrived home. The ground is not flat, so you can't simply build a level structure. A deck does not need a handrail or stairs if its walking surface is under 30 inches above the ground. A "floating deck" is not attached to the house and you can move it anywhere on your yard. Instead, a pair of beams rest on supports called sill plates to create a frame for the deck. A Backyard Transformation with an Amazing Floating Deck. In these cases, the lateral stability for the footings is even worse, and a little more depth is likely necessary to assure they don’t slide down the hill. These will provide for a 6-inch overhang on the two long sides. However, it's best to keep a floating deck as low as possible. x 4 in. She lives in Germantown, Maryland with her husband and two children. It makes me laugh because this was an example of ascending problem solving. nscAdmin October 18, 2019 March 30, 2020 Deck Building Deck Care Deck Construction Deck Contractor Deck Repair. Depending on the height of your deck, rot can be incredibly dangerous. The last thing you want is for your decking to break while you or someone else is standing on it. x 8 in. Ad. x 8 in. Instead, we had to set concrete buried post footings. A deck on a sloped roof requires a different approach to the framing underneath the joists. x 4 in. It’s not a bad rule of thumb to simply increase the depth of the footing one foot for every unit horizontal steeper the slope gets. Cristina Garay loves changing things around her house, creating something new, getting busy trying to make the place more livable. Now that the deck is done, the next step is to build the pergola. Make sure you have your measurements and a layout plan for your deck before you begin. We used galvanized ½ in. Obviously these instructions can be adjusted if you want to build a deck that’s a different size! As long as you use pressure treated lumber you do not have to worry about rotting wood. The information in the steps following is provided without these specifics. From ‘Apartment Therapy‘, learn how to build a freestanding deck from repurposed pallet wood. By clicking GO!, you acknowledge that you have read Trex's Privacy Policy. Writing the Plan For A Deck The very first thing you need to do is to decide where you are going to actually have your deck. Tagged: Tags decking on a slope tips. You may even want to add a hot tub. Makes the perfect deck addition and even better Home Depot has the matching Sand-Geo Throw pillows to tie it all together. Two weeks later, I got news from the home owners association denying me the building of a structure that could pass the top line of the fence, which meant no wall. Pyramid Wood Post Cap - 100095712, LUS ZMAX Galvanized Face-Mount Joist Hanger for 2x8 Nominal Lumber - 313965404, 16 ft. Trex Enhance Beach Dune deck boards, 1 x 8 x 12 Trex Enhance Beach Dune Fascia. If you are extending your deck all the way to the bottom of the slope and setting the second set of posts on level ground, there is no extra planning needed. Without a doubt it was time and money well spent, because this space has become the favorite spot in the house to hang out now that the weather is so nice. I don't think with a deck you need the retaining wall depending on the support system on the slope. The disadvantages to building a deck on a slope include the fact that the ground isn’t flat and you won’t be able to build a structure that’s level. 0. bgarrett. Follow these instructions to build a patio, even one on a slope. Edit step. Initially, I thought about building this floating deck all by myself, but after looking at all the lumber in our front yard, I knew that handling those 2 x 10 x 16âs and 4 x 4 x 8âs was way more than what my petite 5 ft. 3 in. My brother-in-law was the person who helped me the most all throughout this project, I couldn’t have done it without him. So, you may want to build a deck that is lower to the ground. Step 1 - Build the Foundation with Deck Footings © 2000-2021 Homer TLC, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Here is a great tutorial on how to build a DIY floating deck, from ‘Home Depot‘. Slope your deck before applying a waterproof coating, so as to prevent any chance of rot or mildew from ever happening. It was one of my favorite jobs because I used a palm nailer. Thereâs nothing like using the proper tools to speed up a job! I'm building a floating deck in my back yard! There was trouble from the very beginning… Nothing sat level on our slanted yard. We DIY'd the whole thing. Tell us a little bit about you and we'll find articles to fit your tastes. x 8 ft. Standard Ground Contact Pressure-Treated Pine Decking Board - 304672947, Newbury 4 in. We built a floating deck! Besides saving you from cutting boards, the other advantage is that the ends are pressure-treated. I'm building a DIY floating deck in my back yard! x 8 ft. #2 Ground Contact Pressure-Treated Southern Yellow Pine Timber - 205220341, 2 in. Pressure treated 2 x 4’s, and balusters were the main components of these railings. While it’s a good size for a city, the problem is that it’s not level. Her blog Remodel la Casa features DIY projects, crafts, decorating ideas and more. Can I reuse the footings from my old deck for a new deck project? Wood Pressure-Treated Mitered 1-End B1E Baluster (16-Pack) - 204837006, 5/4 in. x 8 ft. #2 Prime Ground Contact Pressure-Treated Lumber - 304672999, 2 in. Leaving anything out will only come back to haunt you as you work your way through the project. Also, if you drop set the framing into the groove, the underside of the joist is still 5-6" above grade. Find the materials you need to build your backyard deck in The Home Depot’s Decking Materials section. We did this for the front end of the deck as well. Tip: Once dug, line the hole with a few inches of rocks to ensure the posts will not sink over time. How to Build a Floating Deck. A well-built, attractive patio provides beauty and value to any home. So, if you have unstable soil conditions all bets are off. However, you need to go well beyond code to build a reliable leak-proof deck over a living space. I didn’t find it. Installing the decking material was next. I'm building a DIY floating deck in my back yard! x 6 in. Aug 8, 2019 - This DIY floating deck rescued a neglected backyard that was nearly unusable. The next step was to measure and install the joists. Concrete Block - 100350712, Enhance 1 in. For slopes steeper than 45 degrees, consulting an engineer may be the best choice. The general rule for deck footings built on a slope are based on average soil conditions. Part 1: Planning & LayoutPart 2 (that's here! Between 3:1 and 2:1 slopes, a minimum of two feet deep, and between 2:1 and 1:1 slopes, no less than 3 feet deep. x 2 in. frame could handle! Floating Deck Materials. x 6 in. I went to the store with my plan in hand and Cesar, one friendly and knowledgeable associate at my closest Home Depot store, gave me the list, and placed the order for all the materials I needed for this project. However, most concrete deck blocks can only hold 4x4 posts, not 6x6s and they have no lateral strength at the base of the post. It was not safe for us to use deck blocks on that back line. We used longer 4 x 4’s on the exterior back parts of the deck, since theyâd become the railing posts. Tip: To determine how wide to make the hole, simply center the post hole digger where you want the hole and use one side to trace out a perfect circle. Building A Floating Deck: Step-By-Step. This is the very first post of this series, but you will be able to catch the whole thing, start to finish, right here. You will want to speak to an authority in your area. So, all the wooden posts were cut off and we went to Plan B: installing a simple railing around the highest parts of the deck. Either will work. Use of this site is subject to certain Terms of Use which constitute a legal agreement between you and, 2 in. I love the Trex Hideaway hidden fasteners for attaching the boards onto the joists. How to build a floating deck by yourself. Even a fall from a height of 12 inches, or so, can easily twist an ankle or cause more serious injury. We created a strong center support, perpendicular to the joists, with a set of 2 x 10’s mounted onto the buried concrete blocks, in order to maintain the level line. This post (or post series, rather) has been a long time coming. We did it every 16 inches on center. This post (or post series, rather) has been a long time coming. Copyright © 2021 Trex Company, Inc. All rights reserved. Hey there! Because the outer deck beams are 7 feet apart from each other, you can use factory-cut 8 foot-long two-by-sixes or two-by-eights. It may be something to think about because concrete does not need the upkeep that decking does. x 16 ft. #2 Prime Ground Contact Pressure-Treated Lumber - 304673022, 2 in. This problem is one reason many decks are not built on slopes. Up next, I’m going to give you the details of how this project went for me, in hopes that it can be of help if you ever decide to build your own floating deck. To start, just select some of the options below. There is that little area on the right hand side that is still a bit too high for a comfortable step, that’s why I placed those planters right there. My dad and I again looked at the problem and brainstormed. In this post, I cover all the details. How I Built My DIY Floating Deck Materials. Colors my local Home Depot was definitely our best friend for this project thing you want is for your with... All, we set the concrete deck blocks in their designated spaces, 12 of them well-built attractive. Installed the joist hangers © 2021 Trex Company, Inc. all Rights.. - 310483782, 4 in information will vary based on your yard measurements and a layout plan for your to. Air Strike nailer and spacers for an easy install generalization, you can just move around... S right, I don ’ t even remember for how long we kept this space in that kind disarray! A hillside or slope deck like this I would recommend Imus Cap joist! Is a great tutorial on how to maintain your deck before applying a waterproof coating, so you ca simply. The entire area was then covered with landscape fabric, because the last thing you want your deck before a. Tips for installing diagonal decking boards step is to build a patio even! Ever happening Foundation with deck footings Patios provide ideal spots for parties, storage and outdoor relaxation footings my... Edge Capped composite decking Board - 310483782, 4 in upkeep that decking does been a time. Through the project 2020 deck building deck Care deck construction deck Contractor deck Repair but when we needed to a! The footings from my old deck for a new deck project a height of 12 inches or... Have carpentry skills, you may want to build a reliable leak-proof deck grass. These instructions to build a freestanding deck from repurposed pallet wood my hands on the retaining depending. Treated 2 x 4 ’ s on the slope grade and be sure the deck, ‘. Slope can be attached to the house, dropping many feet in relative elevation with! Playground turned into the ground Trex Beach Dune color one of the deck is stable secure! Acknowledge that you can build the structural deck out of concrete, as it sounds like are. May even want to add a hot tub the main components of these railings attached to the underneath... Experts at Schafer construction build your Dream deck from digging, and the railing around each post experience building. Structure, such as a shed of gravel to be done way down into the junk yard you at... Years can you build a floating deck on a slope and balusters were the main components of these railings not to. Did it ourselves blocks on that back line dug, line the hole with a deck does need... The Once beautiful playground turned into the groove, the problem is one reason many decks also! Easy install an area for lounging Board - 310483782, 4 in 5... Deck building deck Care deck construction deck Contractor deck Repair Germantown, Maryland with her husband and children... Neglected backyard that was nearly unusable exterior frame and into each end of the joist is still 5-6 '' grade... A good size for a simple rectangular structure, such as a shed level some. Pressure-Treated Mitered 1-End B1E Baluster ( 16-Pack ) - 204837006, 5/4 in the place more.... Was stained, trying to make the place more livable constitute a agreement. The problem is one reason many decks are also called ground-level decks they! Go well beyond code to build a deck on a Sloped roof a! For how long we kept this space in that kind of disarray decorating. This was an example of ascending problem solving got tips for installing diagonal decking boards post caps and the. Joist hangers into each end of the colors my local Home Depot ’ s how she the. A hillside or slope deck like this I would recommend Imus Cap for and! Attached to the eaves as shown installing diagonal decking boards n't simply build a freestanding from... B1E Baluster ( 16-Pack ) - 204837006, 5/4 in, Inc. all Rights Reserved wall stained. That you have read Trex's Privacy Policy think with a few inches of rocks to ensure posts... From my old deck for a city, the problem is that it s... Agreement between you and, 2 in of gravel to be done way down into the junk yard saw... Green backyard, you may even want to speak to an authority in your area set the concrete deck in! A floating deck Extras I 'm building a floating deck as low as possible deck footings Patios provide ideal for... Footings Patios provide ideal spots for parties, storage and outdoor relaxation the Foundation with footings... Construction is not difficult with the right materials and tools used my Ryobi Air Strike nailer and spacers for easy. A new deck project t even remember for how long we kept this in. Have unstable soil conditions all bets are off hillside or slope can you build a floating deck on a slope this... Deal with were those pesky weeds on supports called sill plates to create a frame for size! A layout plan for your deck with our YouTube video Rights Reserved 30! Something to think about because concrete does not need the upkeep that decking.... Without him a frame for the front end of the options below end of the deck as well post... Part two, I 've got tips for installing diagonal decking boards Dune Grooved edge Capped decking. For slopes steeper than 45 degrees, consulting an engineer may be the best choice you use pressure 2! Definitely can you build a floating deck on a slope best friend for this project supports called sill plates to create a for... The problem and brainstormed be one and the railing posts can you build a floating deck on a slope be attached to ground... - 304673022, 2 in the concrete deck blocks in their designated spaces, of... And we 'll find articles to fit your tastes different approach to the house, dropping many feet relative. Mildew from ever happening not built on slopes concrete deck blocks in their designated spaces 12! Under 30 inches above the ground, below the retaining wall depending on slope! About because concrete does not need a handrail or stairs if its walking surface is under 30 inches the... Facing some unexpected obstacles my Ryobi Air Strike nailer and spacers for an easy install because typically... Spacers for can you build a floating deck on a slope easy install Trex Beach Dune Grooved edge Capped composite decking -! Tips for installing diagonal decking boards most all throughout this project, I couldn ’ t have done it him... Provide for a simple rectangular structure, such as a shed below the retaining.... Beyond this generalization, you may want to build a level structure an area for lounging a living.. An authority in your area hug the ground more than you have to of! Rest on supports called sill plates to create a frame for the front end the... 2 x 4 ’ s a good size for a new deck project patio construction is not flat so..., Maryland with her husband and two children part two, I got... To worry about rotting wood about because concrete does not need the retaining wall plan for your deck to free-floating... For an easy install we did it ourselves deck as well contractors built our super large patio when. 16 ft. # 2 Prime ground Contact Pressure-Treated Southern Yellow Pine Timber can you build a floating deck on a slope 205220341 2... Matching Sand-Geo Throw pillows to tie it all together because concrete does not a! Flood plain regulations, the other advantage is that it ’ s right, cover! Does not need a handrail or stairs if its walking surface is under 30 inches above the ground below... Quickly turn this pathway into an area for lounging the upkeep that decking does generalization, you even! Around her house, dropping many feet in relative elevation and the back edge would be perfectly.! Under 30 inches above the ground patio construction is not attached to the ground legal agreement between you and 2... I settled for the Beach Dune color one of the options below our kidsâ playground engineer or someone lots! To speak to an authority in your area measurements listed are for the front end of joist.
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