How high off the ground can you build a deck?
There is no standard height for a “grade-level” deck—the maximum measurement from grade to the deck surface could be 6 inches, 12 inches, 24 inches, or more. But generally speaking, I apply the term to decks that are up to 30 inches above grade, since guardrails are required for any decks that are higher than that.
Can you build a deck on top of the ground?
Now here are your two options for laying your decking. You can either build it directly on the ground or square the site and build it on top of risers as a floating deck. If you lay it directly on the ground, you may find that it's more susceptible to absorbing moisture and might need additional maintenance.
How to build a freestanding raised deck?
You can create a simple foundation by placing concrete blocks at the deck's corners. You can also place your structure on top of gravel for better drainage. Next, you'll put stakes in the ground and string the perimeter using the stakes and hang a line level.
How do you support a ground-level deck?
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.
Can wood deck touch the ground?
There is nothing in the Building Code that requires a deck be attached to the house. However, if it is, then the Code requires at least two steel straps near the ends of the deck and attached to the foundation or floor joists.
Does a deck need to be attached to the ground?
A floating deck is a freestanding deck that isn't attached to a building, giving it the illusion that it's “floating.” These types of decks are typically low to the ground and don't require deck railings or even stairs, in most cases, making it a worthy outdoor deck idea to add to your DIY-project list.
What is a floating deck?
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.
What happens if you build a deck over grass?
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 decking be laid on grass?
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.
Can a deck be free standing?
A raised deck is attached to the house by a ledger and supported on the opposite end by posts set on top of piers. The terms “piers” and “footings” are often used interchangeably though they are technically not the same thing. Piers transfer the deck's weight into the soil.
How do you support a raised deck?
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?
Buried post footing involves digging below the frost line and pouring a small concrete base, then inserting the deck post while the concrete is wet, followed by letting it dry and building up the deck. Often, but not always, a post wrap is installed around each deck post to protect the wood from moisture in the ground.
How do you support a low deck?
If you're ready to start planning, there are two great options to build a deck without digging any holes: surface deck blocks and deck foot anchors. The cheapest foundations are deck blocks, which can be purchased for less than $12.00 a piece. Deck blocks sit on the ground, so proper planning is essential.
How do you build a ground level deck without digging?
A floating deck, also known as a ground level or freestanding deck, is a deck that is not attached to any building or structure. It is a standalone structure that is built on top of the ground and is not anchored into the ground like a traditional deck.
What is a ground level deck called?
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 high off the ground should a wood deck be?
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.
How long will a deck last on the ground?
Floating Deck Codes and Regulations
The deck is not more than 30 inches above the ground.
How far off the ground can a floating deck be?
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?
Not Allowing Sufficient Ventilation Underneath The Deck
A minimum gap of 35mm should be left between your base, concrete, slab or turf, and the underside of deck boards to ensure sufficient airflow so that composite timber joists and composite deck boards are able to drain and dry completely.
Do you need a gap under decking?
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?
A concrete patio costs only $4 per square foot, while a deck costs roughly $6 per square foot for lower-cost pressure treated lumber. Typically, a patio is just a single slab, while a deck can be a simple, elevated one-level deck or have a more elaborate, multi-level construction.
Is it cheaper to build a deck from concrete or wood?
One of the primary drawbacks of a floating deck is that it may not be as durable as a traditional deck that is attached to the house. Because it is not anchored to the ground, it may be more susceptible to damage from wind, rain, and other weather conditions.
What are the disadvantages of a floating deck?
Low decks, most commonly known as ground-level or platform decks, are decks less than 30 inches off the ground. Because they're so close to the ground, they're cheaper to build than raised decks and don't require stairs or railings.
What is a low deck called?
You will be pleased to learn that, YES, outdoor deck and patio tiles can be easily installed on uneven ground, grass and dirt. They can be used as a permanent, temporary or even portable outdoor floor. Many companies only sell interlocking patio tiles that work when installed over even, flat and hard ground.
Can you put decking over dirt?
Sand and soil are good options if you're creating a flat deck, like a decking path, as opposed to a raised deck area. They can be placed underneath the decking boards as a protective area, between the ground and the deck boards.
What do you put under decking?
Yes, it is possible to install a deck on uneven ground or a slope, but it requires careful planning and additional construction techniques to ensure stability and safety. Here are some key points to consider when installing a deck on uneven ground or a slope: Evaluate the slope.
Can you build a deck on uneven ground?
Use concrete pads or risers to ensure that the deck is not physically touching the grass. Build a square frame atop this foundation. Create joists so that the deck boards will be supported. Lay the deck boards perpendicular to the joists.
How do you build a raised deck on grass?
Weed Barrier & Stone
And from a visual standpoint, stones are a beautiful feature that will add to the overall aesthetic of any landscape. Some popular options for stone under a deck are pea gravel, egg rock, crushed marble or crushed granite.
What do you put between a deck and grass?
You will need to dig up the grass in order to create a surface that you can build. This is to stop grass from growing through the decking boards, which would prevent airflow and drainage for the decking, leading to damage on your decking boards, such as warping and cracking.
Do you need to remove grass before laying decking?
A freestanding deck is a beautiful addition to your home's backyard landscape. This type of deck structure is self-supported and not directly attached to your home. It's often the most practical choice for homes with brick or stucco exterior walls, which can make installing ledger boards difficult.
Can you build a deck without attaching it to the house?
It's not a highly-considered factor, but sloping your deck and also reduce the damage to your home's foundation. Level decks, or improperly sloped decks, have the risk of draining water towards your home. Water pooling at your foundation can cause issues, such as sinking or cracking.
Does a deck have to be perfectly level?
Simply placing them on the ground or on a poured concrete pad a few inches deep usually isn't enough to comply with codes — they must be set at least 12 inches deep in undisturbed soil. However, concrete deck blocks can be used without restriction for a freestanding deck that's not attached to your house.
Can a deck sit on blocks?
Material lifts, commonly used to move HVAC equipment and other heavy items, make it possible to raise a deck in a controlled, safe, and pain-free way. Lift it up. Material lifts—commonly used to move HVAC equipment and other heavy items—make it possible to raise a deck in a controlled, safe, and pain-free way.
Is it possible to raise a deck?
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.
How high can you build a raised deck?
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.
How do I stop my raised deck from swaying?
A typical height limit is around 6' which means that a huge portion of the residential deck market can be a candidate for free standing building techniques.
Does a freestanding deck need footings?
If the ground below a deck was not compacted properly prior to construction, it can subside or sink. Correcting a sinking deck may require compaction of the soil and/or new footings, installed at a lower depth. Helical piers that reach down to a lower level where the soil is compacted might also be employed.
How high can a freestanding deck be?
In the past, many decks were built with 4x4 support posts (also called structural posts). But these can bow seriously, even if a deck is only 3 feet off the ground. For that reason, we strongly recommend that you use 6x6s instead, even if your building department does not demand them.
How do I stop my deck from sinking?
Joists are one of the most prominent parts of the anatomy of a deck, as they provide structural support to your deck floor. Joists are installed between beams and are typically spaced at 16” on center.
What is the proper support for a deck?
A beam is a solid structural member that is supported by posts and footings that accepts and transfers the load from joists. Once you know the distance between support posts and the length of the joists that will be supported you can determine the required size by checking our beam-sizing chart.
What are the structural supports of a deck?
Some deck builders add additional footings on the ground or you can hang stringers from the deck. You can attach the stringers from the platform deck joists with either metal angle brackets or 2 x 4's.
What is a deck support beam?
A raised deck is attached to the house by a ledger and supported on the opposite end by posts set on top of piers. The terms “piers” and “footings” are often used interchangeably though they are technically not the same thing. Piers transfer the deck's weight into the soil.
How do you support a low deck?
Create an elevated terrace with decking. A raised deck is a great way to make the most of space that can otherwise go unused, such as slopes and uneven areas. Create a level space for entertaining, eating al fresco, or just sitting out and enjoying the sunshine.
How do you support a raised deck?
Footings are the foundation of a deck. They're a vital part of the overall deck design and structure. A foundation or footing made of concrete is where you'll find the posts that hold up your deck. The footing is vital to your deck because it keeps it stable and sturdy.
What is a raised deck?
You can either build it directly on the ground or square the site and build it on top of risers as a floating deck. If you lay it directly on the ground, you may find that it's more susceptible to absorbing moisture and might need additional maintenance.
What holds a deck up?
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.
Can a deck sit directly on the ground?
The Decking structure height is no more than 30cm above the ground. Together with other extensions and outbuildings, the decking or platforms cover no more than 50 percent of your garden. The deck, raised platforms, or outside building is not being built past your property's front wall.
Can wood deck touch the ground?
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 high should decking be off the ground?
Construction: It is simpler and faster to install a floating deck than a regular deck that is connected to your home. Cost: As they need fewer supports and fewer accessories, floating decks tend to cost much less. Trees: When you have mature trees, a floating deck is a good way to protect their health.
How high off the ground should a wood deck be?
How Much Does It Cost To Build a Floating Deck? You'll likely spend $20 to $60 per square foot building a floating deck if you hire a service professional. If you DIY a deck around 150 square feet, you'll probably spend closer to $10 per square foot.
Are floating decks a good idea?
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.
Are floating decks expensive?
A buried post footing is best for decks that require moderate to high levels of support. A buried post doesn't require a lot of concrete or very much labor, but it does add that little bit of extra concrete support required of larger sized decks or decks that will bear a heavy load.
Why deck posts should not be set in concrete?
Do decks need airflow underneath?
Should deck posts go in the ground or on concrete?
Can decking sit on gravel?
How far off the ground can a floating deck be?
What happens if you build a deck over grass?
Floating Deck Codes and Regulations
The deck is not more than 30 inches above the ground.
Can you build a deck on uneven ground?
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.
What is the maximum step down to a deck?
Yes, it is possible to install a deck on uneven ground or a slope, but it requires careful planning and additional construction techniques to ensure stability and safety. Here are some key points to consider when installing a deck on uneven ground or a slope: Evaluate the slope.