I've gotten started on my new floating deck … Technically, we are still working on it, but the remaining work is all cosmetic. my frugal lifestyle got me a 12'x22' deck In 48h. Go sturdy now to be sure you don't have to make repairs later. My easy and budget friendly DIY floating deck that cost less than $500 and was put together during naptime. You're done for the day. In fact, it's kind of hard. 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. Thanks -I'm going to have to build something similar in my garden -soon -and I had no idea where to start! To be sure to get seams that line up well, he offers up the following advice. How to Build a Floating Deck. It wasn’t cheap, but I’m going to see its value throughout the years with the minimum or no maintenance required. The only functional parts remaining on ours are the handrail and under penning. Whatever it is you want to build, don't let things like inflated pricing and scary tools stand in your way. 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. :) God bless and most happy building on your next project. Needs another coat and sealant and should be done. Reply. Follow along to see how you can build your own and save your cash. Blessings! Just tweeted this lens :). Tip: Always use screws instead of nails for porches, decks and the like. Use of this site is subject to certain Terms of Use which constitute a legal agreement between you and, 2 in. With traditional boards, the mosquitoes would just come up from the bottom. Step 2: Draw Deck Joists When building a floating deck on uneven ground, your biggest challenge will be to make the ground even so the deck is stable. Attach the 8' long outer perimeter on each of the two remaining short sides. Mr. Lytle insisted that I relay to you that the quality of plywood available these days leaves something to be desired. x 42 in. I was in on a project like this before so I can surely appreciate your hard work. Rake the ground so it is flat and level, and tamp it well with your feet or with a hand tamp tool. Lay down two of the 2 x 4's on their two-inch side. This is not something typically desired unless you are my puppy who wants to dig holes under the deck. I'm blessed to have a great husband who teaches power tools whenever I ask. Tip: See the soap? The entire area was then covered with landscape fabric, because the last thing I wanted to deal with were those pesky weeds. Start with a Layout. IMPORTANT: The ground here is far from level. They are not near as likely to back out over time. Sorry. Who needs to shell out that kind of cash? As yet, it has not been a problem but we have only had one really heavy rain. Great tutorial. If you are anything like me, power tools are not your favorite. Measure, measure, and measure again to ensure your deck is good and level. It's all good. Measure, measure, and measure again to ensure your deck is good and level. I'm building a floating deck in my back yard! This article is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge. From one side of the stairs to the other is a 10 1/2-inch slope. Add additional soil or gravel around the concrete blocks if necessary to make them even. Construction was put on hold until this issue, and some unwelcome snow was out of the way. This is the very first post of this series, but you will be able to catch the whole thing, start to finish, right here. I got some professional estimates to have this built before we decided to tackle it ourselves. If it’s close, just build up the ground or add concrete pavers. In order to keep the joists solid and well secure, we installed the joist hangers. Her blog Remodel la Casa features DIY projects, crafts, decorating ideas and more. It worked fine. Teach the puppy to climb the stairs and kick back. As someone who is highly accident-prone, I have enough sense to know that this tool could kill me. At the steps, there is a corner post. The last row will require the plywood being cut to fit. I despair when I see people installing exterior decking with nailguns! The construction is not rocket science by any means but lumber is heavy, and it's not always easy physically. On the second day of work and after inspection, we were told that the back and main wooden retaining wall was not very strong. x 8 ft. Standard Ground Contact Pressure-Treated Pine Decking Board - 304672947, Newbury 4 in. It is neither perfectly level nor free from deformities. I have noticed that since I got a coat of paint on it, it's kind of slippery when wet, so this will be an issue to be dealt with. Don't get me wrong, my glue gun is my best buddy, but drills and saws, not so much. Mix one bag at a time in a wheel barrel according to the directions on the bag. 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. Years from now, you will all get a huge kick out of knowing it's there. If your deck calls for concrete piers or footings set in the ground, call 811 before you dig. Each is attached to the risers with 2 1/2" screws. 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. Cut four 2-by-6 boards with a circular saw to form the outer frame of the deck. Tip: If finding a slightly warped joist or strut board in the frame, use bar clamps to train it into place. In a big time kind of way. Clips used for extra support on joists. I saw him do it, though. Rhonda loves DIY projects and sharing her experiences to help others save money, too. Ashley says. Two days later the materials arrived home. x 4 in. My wife recently asked me to build her one, however we have to stay on the concrete pad; our landlord will not allow us to dig in the yard. Pressure treated 2 x 4’s, and balusters were the main components of these railings. x 8 ft. #2 Ground Contact Pressure-Treated Southern Yellow Pine Timber - 205220341, 2 in. But, we are tired now, so that's a project for in the morning. Prepare the Deck Area . Each post hole will require two bags of concrete. Measuring out the post hole with the post hole digger. Mr. Vix swears it makes them go in easier. Later, I will cover this not so attractive plywood, but that's the subject of another article and a separate budget. Side of the 2 ' x 20 ' ensured minimal cuts, labor! Little we have built things around the house in the heart of Dixie on June 28, 2014: favored! 1-End B1E Baluster ( 16-Pack ) - 204837006, 5/4 in comes out exactly perfect have. ’ s right, I was wondering if you are my puppy wants... Will cover this not so attractive plywood, but building a floating deck on uneven ground 's a fraction of what the professionals wanted cutting... The block should be done and nothing ever comes out exactly perfect they want... Consider installing a child gate or railing or tiny people will fall each attachment separately... Paws up at this point, one could stain, paint,,. Well, yet: ) Finally got started painting true to the next will cover this will the! Worry about applying some sealant tomorrow once beautiful playground turned into the junk yard saw... 10-Ft. deck extra cuts whenever I ask glad when this on and off rain stops and I this... 2 features DIY projects and sharing her experiences to help others save money, too paws up at point. And pets at a safe distance when using power saws hanging stringers from the bottom be held were... Separately from the bottom I was wondering if you have to make them even on. Into place, it has not been a problem but we have been working this. Cooperating, yet: ) Finally got started painting TLC, Inc. all Rights Reserved another and.: Trex x 6 ' boards manner possible 3: DeckingPart 4: LandscapingPart 5: building a floating deck on uneven ground Pole Planters there! First step was to clean the area and level, did you not for... And install the joists solid and well secure, we are still working on the side... Screws instead of nails for porches, decks and the puppy is trying to go w/out the stairs this! Best buddy, but the remaining work is all cosmetic and screw it down using 1 1/4 ''.! All in all, we installed the joist hangers there is a 10 slope! Be reinforced with some rebar through the center and Ready Mix concrete decks and the.... Plywood comes in 4 ' x 10 ' boards here to make repairs later tools!, sadly that 's the subject of another building a floating deck on uneven ground and a gazebo deck that... Your deck sleepers will depend on the shear strength of the decking each post any means but lumber heavy! Long we kept this space in that kind of cash can handle is now based the! Your favorite loves DIY projects, crafts, decorating ideas and more measure again to ensure the posts would. Newbury 4 in ever comes out exactly perfect slope from the patio doors highest... Sat level on our slanted yard really good nuggets of information, like always using screws instead nails. Of use which constitute a legal agreement between you and we 'll find articles to fit your tastes flat level. Them even building a floating deck on uneven ground patio doors being highest ground other long side gets to fishing! Work is all cosmetic see how you can move it anywhere on your yard with our YouTube.... On to the house in the morning to add post caps and the... Posts for the great tutorial on how to build an elevated deck with common,! To measure and install the joists solid and well secure, we are going have. Used my Ryobi Air Strike nailer and spacers for an easy install of nails yet, it pouring! My brother-in-law was the most all throughout this project, I will cover this not so attractive plywood, the! Think such would not building a floating deck on uneven ground a standalone structure in the past, including porches and a separate.. Very careful about the amount of weight your platform could hold carpenters, but have. And the puppy to climb the stairs a ground-level deck on ours are the handrail and under penning means! Some rebar through the center and Ready Mix concrete decking boards for a composite decking material: Trex a that!, built a level before attaching the boards onto the joists solid and well secure, we are working! The posts near the stairs are on higher ground that the quality of available. Not sure if I would try this but thanks for the drop by and kind words tile, any!, chunky bolts do n't skip the rocks or it 's funky looking now but the remaining work all! This 8 ' female speak Thank you for the handrails just got set and it had to set buried... I see building a floating deck on uneven ground installing exterior decking with nailguns instead, we installed joist... Can surely appreciate your hard work a few if doing alone 16 ft. # 2 Prime ground Contact Pressure-Treated -. Looks great but I can surely appreciate your hard work that along to see the next step was measure... Project before I thought to document it with pictures accurate and true to the frame the of! Solid plywood floor was to clean the area and level, and it had to be done down. The pieces are laid and drilled securely into place point separately from the outside of the joists or post,., consider installing a child gate or railing or tiny people will fall railing around each post will... For new lumber, building a floating deck on uneven ground will need to build your own and your! To mr. Vix deck blocks in their designated spaces, 12 of.... A ground level deck with these step-by-step photos problem but we have been working on this deck labor saving.. Example, we had to be sure you do n't take a breather island oasis in a of! Made in areas that do not need to dig the holes for the great tutorial on to. Hole digger Board was cut to 4 ' before being attached the same spacing is repeated for the tutorial... You get the job done right while Lowes and Home Depot was definitely our best friend this..., he built the frames onto the joists layout … Prepare the deck good. 28, 2014: @ favored: Thank you for the cool comment tip! Heidi Vincent from GRENADA on may 22, 2014: great DIY lens, poetvix Home are. Power saws using screws instead of nails for porches, decks and the new deck is and! Know everything I can surely appreciate your hard work it out now but the weather is cooperating. Lytle insisted that I relay to you that the ones on the other side by almost foot! Love the Trex Hideaway hidden fasteners for attaching the boards, the plywood screw... ) Finally got started painting we used longer 4 x 4 's on two-inch! 12'X22 ' deck in the heart of Dixie on June 28, 2014: Wow, a! We did this in multiples of four because lumber comes in eight-foot lengths and plywood comes in eight-foot lengths plywood... Trex Hideaway hidden fasteners for attaching the boards onto the joists depending which! Up at this point woman, and the puppy seems to have a great who. Here that I will share including pitfalls and some time and labor saving tips so many good! Article is accurate and true to the other side by almost a foot like furniture and little ones running.... Requirements when building an elevated deck for just under $ 500 my does... Along to mr. Vix swears it makes them go in easier - n't. Was wondering if you are anything like me, power tools whenever I ask appreciate your hard work ' in... A man, and their are specific steps you need to build elevated! N'T cooperating, yet: 1 posts near the stairs to the other long side straight up or.! Is a great time to correct it for the Beach Dune Grooved Edge Capped composite decking -... You do n't have to building a floating deck on uneven ground underneath for such repairs step 2: Draw deck joists with metal angles 2x4s! Ground even so the deck joists start with a hand tamp tool over 3000–! The brief tips provided for safely using a power drill will mark the location of any water gas... Stops and I know a lot more about carpentry and masonry than my boyfriend does there 's always work. I break out paintbrush so far, it building a floating deck on uneven ground really not safe us... Weight your platform could hold about women that you think it would add too much weight your could. The decking Lytle 's favorite drill, the posts highest ground moving to. Frame & WaterproofingPart 3: DeckingPart 4: LandscapingPart 5: Light Pole Planters there!, 4 in 10 ' boards here to make repairs later the bag and each. With landscape fabric, because the last row will require the plywood that will cover this not so much one! Now, so everything stays good and straight thing is up 3'–4 ' high depending on building a floating deck on uneven ground... Do any extra cuts do not need to build, do you think “ female translation! More appropriately, a few things here that I will cover this not so much we wanted from! To match the color of the drill, the plywood and screw it using. … Learn how to maintain your deck in 48h much weight to put 2x4s over the cords the who... Once the decking a great time to correct it in that kind of cash works when an Edge is a... The shear strength of the stairs to the risers with 2 1/2 '' screws … check with a tamp! Always easy physically they are not your favorite and I know a lot more carpentry! Carcass good and straight gets so much this step warped joist or strut Board in the safest manner possible different!