Tip: Jump and scoot. The layout of your deck sleepers will depend on the layout of your decking. Clips used for extra support on joists. Apr 28, 20 11:17 AM. Be sure to use a level before attaching the boards, so everything stays good and straight. It's really bad for them. It's just standing there, not set in concrete or anything. While my husband grabs them up and goes like no one's business, they give me pause. Elwood is ready to go fishing having finished the deck. But it’s best to support the deck on concrete blocks. That's the sweetest thing to say. It's not fancy but it's highly functional and fun to sit on while watching the puppies go bonkers :). Use a dotted line to represent the … Floating Deck Materials. Wow this is such an awesome lens. Top Decking Ideas – An Ode To a Beautiful Garden Yes, it is spring time. Once the decking goes down, you have to crawl underneath for such repairs. I’m a man, and my girlfriend tells me all the time that women are better at explaining things. above the ground where you step up on it. The attachments here were done using joist hangers, also known as hurricane clips. Very clever and a brilliant, informative lens! We used longer 4 x 4’s on the exterior back parts of the deck, since they’d become the railing posts. Love is … My hubby wanted to be sure about the spacing being perfect so he wouldn't have to do any extra cuts. Time required: 2 days with help, a few if doing alone. The staffs can allow one to have building a floating deck on uneven ground which may seem fine in your building. Cut four 2-by-6 boards with a circular saw to form the outer frame of the deck. Building A Floating Deck On Uneven Ground Building A Floating Deck On Uneven Gr Top Decking Ideas – An Ode To a Beautiful Garden Yes, it is spring time. Follow along to see how you can build your own and save your cash. This keeps the wood off the ground and away from moisture so the wood stays drier and lasts longer. Oct 27, 2020 - Building A Floating Deck On Uneven Ground Building A Floating Deck On Uneven Ground The post Buildin This is very timely. Once I was finished with levering the frame I could start nailing the planks to the frame. So the way I translate “female speak” is similar to “layman’s terms.” But you probably don’t like “layman’s” because the word “man” is in it. Frame the steps for the floating deck next. On the second day of work and after inspection, we were told that the back and main wooden retaining wall was not very strong. Years from now, you will all get a huge kick out of knowing it's there. In fact, it's kind of hard. The centerpiece, quite literally, of Cristina Garay’s recent backyard makeover was her amazing DIY floating deck. We drove two- 2 ½ in. Start with a Layout. Sorry, "female speak" ? If you start at the top and work down, it's somewhat awkward using the drill due to spacial limitations from the stair above. But, he won't make a video. You can obtain references by visiting their site or going to the Home Depot on town. Another tip: Get your wood from the lumberyard. Pressure treated 2 x 4’s, and balusters were the main components of these railings. The materials and measurements listed are for the size we built. One way is to excavate the soil and put gravel in the excavated area to level the surface; the other way is to build a floating deck. Who needs to shell out that kind of cash? Once all the pieces are laid and drilled securely into place, take a breather. A floating deck is a deck that isn’t attached to a building and they “float” above the ground. 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. We left some spacing between planks to allow for expansion during hot and humid days and for rain water to filter through. Decks tend to support heavy objects like furniture and little ones running around. To the front and back of the first three 4' x 4' posts, is attached an 8' long 2' x 6' pressure treated board. x 6 in. As you can see, ours has a solid plywood floor. We did it every 16 inches on center. Content is for informational or entertainment purposes only and does not substitute for personal counsel or professional advice in business, financial, legal, or technical matters. 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. Such tools can be dangerous. x 8 ft. #2 Ground Contact Pressure-Treated Southern Yellow Pine Timber - 205220341, 2 in. We then added a 2-in. The only functional parts remaining on ours are the handrail and under penning. x 6 in. This is one of the best DIY lenses I have read lately! We learned a few things here that I will share including pitfalls and some time and labor saving tips. The posts near the stairs are on higher ground that the ones on the other side by almost a foot. As you can see, the back of the yard sloped down quite a bit, so the … But, we are tired now, so that's a project for in the morning. How to build a deck on uneven concrete mycoffeepot org how to build an elevated deck on uneven ground building a diy steps for building a deck over patio slab the low down on decking over uneven and split level patio diynot forums how to build an elevated deck on uneven ground building a diy floating deck … A floating deck that is built close to the ground will not need to have any kind of deck footing. God bless! 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. It seems every time I grab the paint brush it pours. Every time I break out paintbrush so far, it starts pouring down rain. They are sometimes called “grade-level” or “freestanding” decks because they’re built just above the ground level, or grade. 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. Life gets so much easier from here on out. 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. Floating decks are also called ground-level decks because they typically hug the ground. Well, if youre lacking out on this brilliant gift of nature, it … Rhonda Lytle (author) from Deep in the heart of Dixie on July 05, 2014: @DANCING COWGIRL: Right now it's too hot to get much use during the day but evenings and nights see us parked there everyday :). Be sure to check with a level and square before drilling. To be sure to get seams that line up well, he offers up the following advice. Heavy-duty bolts were used to make these connections. When building on a sloped site, take extra care to ensure each step is complete after moving on to the next. Concrete Block - 100350712, Enhance 1 in. It turned out really nice and the puppy seems to have no trouble with the stairs. Don't take a chance with a light-weight bolt. Don't worry about it. It was one of my favorite jobs because I used a palm nailer. I am not sure If I would try this but thanks for the great tutorial. Your deck will be easier to build if you choose a relatively flat spot in your yard, since sloped or uneven ground will mean a lot of digging and excavating. Therefore, we recommend you to pour the footings on each corner and consider adding at least one more, on two sides of the deck… 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. Love is inside the air and butterflies are resting at the freshly bloomed flowers. x 8 in. One of the most common problems in deck building is working on uneven ground. There are four posts on each 20' side. Now here are your two options for laying your decking. Munch on some catfish tonight and worry about applying some sealant tomorrow. Set and Level Four Corners of Blocking. Give it some thought. Find the materials you need to build your backyard deck in The Home Depot’s Decking Materials section. 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. Check out this video by Ace Hardware to get a good idea of how to properly use the tool in the safest manner possible. Or enjoying some quiet time, sipping coffee on your deck Then perhaps it’s time to think about building a ground level deck. All struts were attached with screws using a power drill. Mr. Lytle's favorite drill, the power tool that was the most used on this deck. https://blog.homedepot.com/diy-floating-deck-sloped-backyard But it's best to support the deck on concrete blocks. 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 16’s and 4 x 4 x 8’s was way more than what my petite 5 ft. 3 in. Building A Floating Deck On Uneven Ground Plans. Not a chance. Steps are required. Plan the Foundation and Leveling. I'm going to have to keep an eye on that. I'm building a floating deck in my back yard! If the spirit level indicates the ground is uneven, level it out with extra soil or compact the soil to flatten it out. This is because that's as big of a deck as we wanted. ... Can this deck be built on uneven ground or a small slope from the patio doors being highest ground… Installing the decking material was next. Jan 22, 2015 - This article will show you how to build a sturdy deck using common tools with minimal cuts and expense. Big, chunky bolts don't break like little skinny ones. Tip: Once dug, line the hole with a few inches of rocks to ensure the posts will not sink over time. Go sturdy now to be sure you don't have to make repairs later. Two days later the materials arrived home. x 16 ft. #2 Prime or Better Ground Contact Pressure-Treated Lumber - 304672979, 11-1/2 in. x 16 ft. #2 Prime Ground Contact Pressure-Treated Lumber - 304673022, 2 in. Pics of : Building Decking On A Sloping Garden That's exactly what it is doing. Check out the brief tips provided for safely using a power saw before you grab one up. The Home Depot was definitely our best friend for this project. … Instead of the weight of the deck sitting on the posts, it is being transferred to the posts via the carriage bolts bolted through the posts. x 4 in. Wanting to add some functionality and much needed curb appeal to our backyard, we decided to build an island (or floating) deck … In a big time kind of way. We did this for the front end of the deck as well. So the amount of weight your deck can handle is now based on the shear strength of the bolts themselves. x 42 in. Dancing Cowgirl Design from Texas on July 04, 2014: Wow, what a great job. 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. my frugal lifestyle got me a 12'x22' deck In 48h This thing is up 3'–4' high depending on which side you are standing on. Just be sure to point that side down when framing. Rhonda loves DIY projects and sharing her experiences to help others save money, too. Mix one bag at a time in a wheel barrel according to the directions on the bag. Only a few inches off the ground, this platform takes a little time but is easy once you get going. Follow along for instructions, material lists, and time and money saving tips and tricks. Female speak translation: The joists are the long boards inside the frame. Let us help you create the haven of your dreams. How I Built My Floating Deck on Uneven Ground. From there, there are two posts spaced 8' apart. Digging within the circle ensures you have enough room but aren't digging more than you have to. God bless and Happy Fourth of July weekend. Struts are the short boards between the joists. The ground that we picked for our floating deck was uneven so I had to play a little with cinder blocks and bricks to level the frame. Building A Floating Deck On Uneven Ground. We used four 2' x 10' boards here to make the steps. Thanks bunches for the drop by and kind words. Tip: If dealing with a slight up or down warp in a framing or joist board that, use a four by four scrap to push it up gently until it re-warps the way you want it. Decking Over Uneven And Split Level Patio Diynot Forums. I hope you find this helpful and don’t forget to show me pics of your finished deck! You can use some small concrete blocks where you can lay planks into grooves that are already there, or a post … We are experts in building raised decks over the hills in the San Francisco Bay Area. did I miss somewhere in the article, but what size did this How to Build an Elevated Deck on Uneven Ground end up being? Remember, the plywood that will cover this will raise the height another 3/4 of an inch. This article will explain how to build an elevated deck with common tools, on a budget, in female speak. carriage bolts. After determining where you want your structure, you will need to dig the holes to set the posts. Frame the steps for the floating deck next. Technically, we are still working on it, but the remaining work is all cosmetic. The ground that we picked for our floating deck was uneven so I had to play a little with cinder blocks and bricks to level the frame. my frugal lifestyle got me a 12'x22' deck In 48h. Measure, measure, and measure again to ensure your deck is good and level. There's always more work to be done and nothing ever comes out exactly perfect. Don't get me wrong, my glue gun is my best buddy, but drills and saws, not so much. To start, just select some of the options below. Floating decks can be set directly on the ground or, preferably, a bed of gravel. She was not belittling the female gender. 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. Hope you enjoy it! Rhonda Lytle (author) from Deep in the heart of Dixie on May 31, 2014: Rhonda Lytle (author) from Deep in the heart of Dixie on May 30, 2014: @Heidi Vincent: LOL this thing encompassed taking a few breaks. Not having one, Mr. Lytle cheated and used a small chainsaw. The top step is 2' x 8'. I got some professional estimates to have this built before we decided to tackle it ourselves. Measure each attachment point separately from the ground up before cutting risers. We'll show you how to plan for, lay out, and build your deck on uneven ground. Rhonda Lytle (author) from Deep in the heart of Dixie on July 01, 2014: @flycatcherrr: Thank you very much. In order to keep the joists solid and well secure, we installed the joist hangers. :) God bless and most happy building on your next project. 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. As you can see in the picture, the posts are secured to the frame by two heavy duty-bolts through each. Make sure before you build your deck you check with your local municipality. Either way, she offers some good ideas on how to build a floating deck similar to hers in your backyard, as well as some building and planning tips that come from her experience with this project. Building a deck on a slope can be tricky, but you can easily do it when you know what steps to follow. Elevated decks make for great views. x 16 ft. Trex Beach Dune Grooved Edge Capped Composite Decking Board - 310483782, 4 in. The deck surface should be no more than 8 in. When building an elevated deck, if you have small children, consider installing a child gate or railing or tiny people will fall. Once I was finished with levering the frame I could start nailing the … Start at one end and work your way to the other. How to build a Floating Deck. Great tutorial. The old wooden retaining wall was stained, trying to match the color of the decking. I don't see the sense in belittling a gender just because you feel the need to make an excuse for not bothering to learn technical terms for the project you're doing. The functional parts are done. I think not! A Sawzall or more appropriately, a reciprocating saw would be best for this step. So many really good nuggets of information, like always using screws instead of nails. Set the four corners for the deck. God bless and thank you for the cool comment and tip! But if you know—or even think—that you have moving cracks, you have to choose a patio upgrade that can “float” over moving cracks without becoming damaged. Blessings and most happy diy adventures. We are going to screen this in after building another larger one in the back. Floating decks, on the other hand, sit low to the ground … SIDE NOTE: Cat, do you feel so little about women that you think “female speak” is belittling? She lives in Germantown, Maryland with her husband and two children. Construction was put on hold until this issue, and some unwelcome snow was out of the way. Be sure to wear a face mask and safety glasses for this. We did one per row alternating the placement to provide added support. Just tweeted this lens :). I want to build a ground level deck in my backyard to cover an existing concrete patio slab that is 3x8 and 5" thick. Wear the gloves or you will get splinters. Don’t let the landscape dictate what you want to accomplish in your backyard or side yard. Blessings! How to Build a Deck Without Digging Holes. The posts for the handrails just got set and it looks like sun so I'm hoping to get it painted very soon. It sounds like a dance, huh? Keep the water hose handy. This step does require some cutting of the 2' x 6' boards. This guy is really good too. Great tutorial, very well documented and informative! It is neither perfectly level nor free from deformities. Measure, measure, and measure … However, there are 2 relatively easy ways of solving this problem. It was not safe for us to use deck blocks on that back line. A ground-level deck provides an excellent space to relax outdoors without worrying about uneven terrain. contact author. Overhead view of the deck framing. That's a fraction of what the professionals wanted. We used galvanized ½ in. Measuring out the post hole with the post hole digger. That’s why we leveled off a square section for our kids’ playground. Cut the boards long … Sorry. At the steps, there is a corner post. dycr107_deck_level-check. Whatever it is you want to build, don't let things like inflated pricing and scary tools stand in your way. Be sure to stay hydrated and take breaks. how to build a diy floating deck in a sloped backyard . When decks are less than 30” above grade, they’re usually easier to build for three reasons. Building a deck takes time, and their are specific steps you need to follow to get the job done right. Mr. Vix swears it makes them go in easier. :). Then, I reinforced the connections with screws. God bless and happy building! Aug 29, 2019 - This article will show you how to build a sturdy deck using common tools with minimal cuts and expense. I want to build a floating 18x11 deck that is not connected to the ledger. Cristina Garay loves changing things around her house, creating something new, getting busy trying to make the place more livable. If you hit an obstacle like a rock, you can easily reverse the deck … Rhonda Lytle (author) from Deep in the heart of Dixie on June 04, 2014: @takkhisa: Oh, thank you :). Generally, floating decks are low to the ground and don’t require handrails or even staircases. I saw him do it, though. From one side of the stairs to the other is a 10 1/2-inch slope. July 2020 In which I, an unwashed novice in the ancient arts of Deck Building, built a level freestanding/floating one. Floating decks are standard decks that appear to levitate on top of the ground. rhonda loves diy projects and sharing her experiences to help others save money, too. July 2020 In which I, an unwashed novice in the ancient arts of Deck Building, built a level freestanding/floating one.