Can you build a deck without putting posts in the ground?
If it's 6 feet or less with a proper post-to-beam and joist bracing, then you can install a floating deck without the hassle of having to install concrete footings. One of the cheapest options out there is deck blocks, which are blocks that literally sit on the ground and provide the foundation for your deck.
Can wood deck touch the ground?
Direct contact with the ground accelerates the deterioration of natural wood. Standard pressure treated wood won't usually work in this situation, so you'll need to use wood that is especially designed to be in contact with the ground. Another option to using natural wood would be to use composite materials.
How long will a deck last on the ground?
You can typically expect a deck to last 10-30 years for untreated wood and 50 or more years for treated wood and composite. However, the lifespan of a deck also depends heavily on its materials and how you maintain and seal it over the years.
Does a ground level deck need footings?
You need one footing and/or support block for every angle of the deck. 12 inches below ground is the recommended and required depth of the footings for ground-level decks. Some platforms and free-standing decks can be supported by concrete blocks instead of footings.
Does a freestanding deck need footings?
Freestanding decks with a ledger board will need an additional beam and row of footings. Decks with many angles also need additional footings. A basic attached deck foundation of 12 feet by 12 feet requires three 12-inch diameter deck footings.
Does a deck need posts?
A safe, long-lasting deck frame needs proper footings, support posts and a solid construction.
What happens if you build a deck over grass?
Grass should be removed before you start building your decking. It can grow through the decking and attract moisture, amongst other things. In this guide, we'll walk you through all the reasons why you should remove grass before decking, and how to do it properly.
Can I lay decking on grass?
Yes, when installing composite decking, you will need to dig up the grass to create an even surface free of debris. Additionally, you will also need to dig holes that your posts will sit in. posts are essential in order to stabilise your decking. Therefore, you will require a shovel to complete this project.
Can you put decking on top of soil?
If you're planning to lay decking on soil, then preparation is really important. Just follow these steps: Completely clear all debris, turf and plants from the area. It is also a good idea to excavate turf down to roughly 5cm.
What is a deck that sits on the ground?
Floating decks are wood decks that rest on the ground and are not attached to any structure, including your house. Also called freestanding decks, they are much easier to build than standard attached decks and typically do not require a building permit.
Does wood rot in concrete?
Wood rot happens because of a combination of moisture and fungi. In order for fungi to set up shop, the wood must remain continuously damp; fungi will not grow on dry wood. If the wood inside the concrete is located and housed such that moisture can get inside it and stand for a length of time, then it will rot.
How high should a deck be off the ground?
The number-one reason ground-level decking projects fail is a lack of ventilation. We always recommend at least 18 inches of ground clearance to allow for good air flow, but ground-level decks, by definition, flout this rule. Therefore, we don't usually recommend building a deck at ground level.
How do you prepare ground for decking?
You need to make ensure there is nothing – grass, flowers, shrubs, weeds – underneath your decking before you lay it, so make sure you dig everything out. As you dig, use a spirit level to consistently check that the ground remains level – this is key to ensuring your new composite decking is flat.
Can you build a deck on gravel?
Since gravel is less prone to these issues than grass, you can install decking on top of it. Having said that, we would advise that you take some precautionary measures, in order to reduce the likelihood that you will experience these complications later on.
Can deck posts sit on concrete?
In order for posts to properly resist varying degrees of weight, posts must rest on and be anchored to concrete footings. It's important to note that patios and pre-cast concrete piers do not qualify as proper footings for deck construction. To anchor posts to concrete footings, you need to use a post base connector.
What can I use instead of deck footings?
Deck pier blocks are used in deck building as an alternative foundation to traditional footings. They are placed directly on the ground, and do not require digging or pouring. They come pre-formed with holes for attaching the posts of a deck, making it easy to install.
Can a deck be free standing?
Freestanding decks can be built anywhere in your outdoor space. As they don't attach to your home, freestanding decks don't need to be lined up with entrances or built on difficult or uneven ground directly beside your property. Freestanding decks can be built at any elevation.
What is the easiest footing for a deck?
Precast cement block footings are a popular choice for smaller decks. They are easy to install and do not require any digging. Precast deck footings are made out of cement and come in different shapes and sizes. The most common type of precast deck footing is the pier deck footing.
Can you build a deck without attaching it to the house?
Not all decks are attached to a building. It's not uncommon to have a free standing deck that's used as a viewing platform or a hidden retreat to read a book or relax from a grueling day at work. You may not know how to build a freestanding deck, but it's really not much different from building a standard one.
Do you need to put anything under a deck?
If weeds aren't present below the deck, they won't be able to grow up through the decking, which can cause damage. A lack of plant life under the deck also helps deter rodents and other small animals. Gravel is an excellent option if you're looking to make use of the space under your deck.
What is the best foundation for a deck?
The first option is traditional poured concrete footings. Poured concrete footings have been used as deck foundations for decades, and when done correctly, are an excellent choice in many situations. Poured concrete deck foundations can last for many decades and most often outlive a pressure-treated deck built on them.
Can you build a deck in the rain?
Yes! One of the most common questions we're asked is: Can you do a sundeck renovation in the rain? The answer is yes – we're proud to offer vinyl decking and composite deck renovations all year long. With the right tools and training, deck renovations are possible in almost any weather.
Can you build a deck over sand?
Sand is a good middle ground for building a deck on. It's not uncommon to see sand characteristics creep into soil that has more of a clay or gravel base.
Can you build a deck on uneven ground?
While building a deck on a slope may require some extra planning, it can be done. In fact, you can easily build a stable deck on a slope on your own if you know which materials to use and the necessary steps to take.
How can I do decking cheaply?
Compared with what has been discussed already, some cheaper alternatives to wooden decking boards include rubber mats, wood chippings and pallet decking. These more budget-friendly options may not have the same aesthetic appeal as timber, composite or PVC decking - but they do come with their benefits.
Do you need membrane under decking?
If you're building upon soil or grass instead of concrete, then it's a good idea to install a membrane underneath your deck first. This helps to prevent weeds from springing but still allows water to permeate back into the ground. Give any existing weeds a spray with weed killer before you put down the membrane.
Does decking need foundations?
Even if the deck is mere inches off the ground, a large deck will require a sturdier foundation than a small one, namely because it will likely carry more weight and have more space between posts.
What is a flat deck?
The flat deck refers to the area of the truck or trailer that the goods are loaded onto – it's a large uniformly flat area which items can be placed on and secured. Trailers can be heavy or light, and can be semitrailers or full trailers.
How much does a ground level deck cost?
Mid-size ground-level deck
The simple rectangular shape, no railing, and some stair lights are the main contributors to the total cost for this deck. For projects of similar size between 400-600 square feet, budgets between $18,000 – $25,000.
What is a sleeper deck?
What is the purpose of the Sleeper System, and where can it be used? The Deckorators Sleeper System is designed to create additional outdoor living space, especially on concrete slabs or rooftops. It provides a solution for converting these spaces into functional and attractive outdoor areas.
Can wood sit directly on concrete?
Yes, but you should also have a insulating barrier between the concrete and the wood. Pressure treatment is generally to kill bugs and reduce fungi but it will still absorb moisture through the concrete if it is there. By insulating between them, the chances of moisture transferal is greatly reduced.
Should you put a barrier between wood and concrete?
Adequately sealing the space between the concrete and wood must include an application of a quality sill plate sealer, like TERM® Sill Plate Barrier, and a quality fluid-applied flashing for the interior and exterior joints, like Polyguard Blue Barrier Gap Filler.
Why you never set wood in concrete?
The wood will soak up the moisture from the concrete and the wood will rot. Pressure treated wood is more resistant to rot but over time, it will have the same effect. It's best to always have a barrier, a thin plastic foam sheet called “sill seal”, between concrete and wood.
How long will a deck last on the ground?
You can typically expect a deck to last 10-30 years for untreated wood and 50 or more years for treated wood and composite. However, the lifespan of a deck also depends heavily on its materials and how you maintain and seal it over the years.
Can wood deck touch the ground?
Direct contact with the ground accelerates the deterioration of natural wood. Standard pressure treated wood won't usually work in this situation, so you'll need to use wood that is especially designed to be in contact with the ground. Another option to using natural wood would be to use composite materials.
How long will a ground level deck last?
When built from traditional wood, ground level decks last, on average, 12 – 20 years. Type of wood, climate and upkeep all influence the lifespan of a deck (no matter its elevation).
How do you attach a deck to the ground?
Dig holes for piers, fill with concrete and let it set up. Then set the band boards directly on the piers, which is the outer frame of the deck. Next you'll install the floor joists and joist hangers. Nail in the sattles, then lay down decking.
How do you raise a deck off the ground?
due to moisture build up. One of the biggest issue with wood over time is moisture. Wooden materials will shrink and swell due to moisture and over time it can deteriorate the quality of the wood, so laying decking tiles in direct contact with grass and moisture, even with excellent drainage isn't advisable.
Can you put decking straight onto grass?
April 19th, 2023 by Alexis Camelio. Putting gravel under your deck is a great way to add stability and drainage. It's simple to do and provides many benefits, from preventing soil erosion to helping protect the underside of your decking material from moisture damage, especially for ground-level decks.
Do you need rock under a deck?
There are two options when building on soft ground: add concrete pads for extra stability. or lay straight onto the ground for a simple project.
Can you build a deck on soft ground?
Go with a Smaller Size
The International Residential Code (IRC) R507. 3 states that a deck that doesn't exceed 200 square feet can be built without concrete footings. For these smaller decks, floating deck construction strategies can be used to build a deck without concrete footers.
Can you build a deck without concrete footings?
I am of the opinion that setting the post into concrete has a high probability of permitting the post end to rot. In many places it is against code to set the post directly in contact with the concrete slabs or pyramid.
Why deck posts should not be set in concrete?
A properly-installed substructure is essential for a safe and well-installed deck. You can build a traditional post and footer substructure, or install a sleeper system when building on top of concrete. A sleeper system connects directly to the concrete using fasteners such as tapcons to lift the deck surface.
Can you build a deck on cement?
Yes. It's possible to build a deck without digging holes. This type of deck is called a floating deck, and it sits right on top of the ground without any posts or support areas that you'd dig down into the ground [to secure].
Can you build a deck without burying posts?
Freestanding decks with a ledger board will need an additional beam and row of footings. Decks with many angles also need additional footings. A basic attached deck foundation of 12 feet by 12 feet requires three 12-inch diameter deck footings.
Does a freestanding deck need footings?
You need one footing and/or support block for every angle of the deck. 12 inches below ground is the recommended and required depth of the footings for ground-level decks. Some platforms and free-standing decks can be supported by concrete blocks instead of footings.
Does a ground level deck need footings?
Ground-Level Decks
In virtually all cases, you will need to have deck framing that is at least 6″ (5.5″ nominal) tall. With a 1″ deck board, that means your deck would need to be at least 7″ off the ground.
How low can a deck be to the ground?
Another great way to improve stability is to use diagonal bracing. This technique is commonly used to help eliminate swaying and prevent collapsing. You install these braces diagonally (hence the name) from the posts to the outside structural beam. Typically, this is done on the two outside corner posts of your deck.
How do you stabilize a freestanding deck?
In order for posts to properly resist varying degrees of weight, posts must rest on and be anchored to concrete footings. It's important to note that patios and pre-cast concrete piers do not qualify as proper footings for deck construction. To anchor posts to concrete footings, you need to use a post base connector.
Can deck posts sit on concrete?
Deck pier blocks are used in deck building as an alternative foundation to traditional footings. They are placed directly on the ground, and do not require digging or pouring. They come pre-formed with holes for attaching the posts of a deck, making it easy to install.
What can I use instead of deck footings?
You've supported the deck load vertically — it will not collapse under the weight of people and furniture. But you've not addressed lateral and horizontal stability. Without any solid attachment a house, your deck will sway and wobble. It needs bracing, especially if it is high off the ground.
Why does a deck have to be attached to the house?
Floating decks can be set directly on the ground or, preferably, a bed of gravel. But it's best to support the deck on concrete blocks. This keeps the wood off the ground and away from moisture so the wood stays drier and lasts longer.
Does a floating deck need to be anchored?
Can you build a deck on gravel?
How do you support a deck without posts?
Do you need to pitch a deck?
What can I use instead of digging post holes for deck?
What is an alternative to digging post holes?
Another option is to use a deck block system. Deck blocks are precast concrete blocks that have a recessed area on top to hold a wooden post or beam. The blocks can be placed on a level surface, such as a concrete pad or a compacted gravel base.
Do you have to concrete posts for a deck?
How do you build a deck without digging footings? By using one of these three alternative types of deck footings: deck blocks, post anchors with base plates, or a helical pile system. Always check your local code to ensure you meet building requirements for your location and climate.