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. If you’re laying your deck straight onto the ground, cover the area with a layer of weed control fabric. Use little rocks if the weather is windy. They don't come with the same risk of below-deck pest infestation as raised decks. Little by little we have been working on the back yard, and the new deck is working out perfectly! In addition, use a spirit level to align and plumb the wooden joists, before driving in the screws. So instead of sitting in the rooms and view these places from the window we should come out and enjoy them fully. Make sure you build your deck high enough for ventilation so the ground can dry out. Cut the boards long enough to meet the dimensions for the deck. 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. How to Build an Elevated Deck on Uneven Ground This article will show you how to build a sturdy deck using common tools with minimal cuts and expense. Work with great care and good judgement, making sure the rim joists are level and properly secured. Then add 40 mm to 50 mm of gravel on top. You will need 1 block for each corner of each pallet. 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. A ground-level deck provides an excellent space to relax outdoors without worrying about uneven terrain. As we speak of a light construction, you don’t have to build a concrete slab foundation, but dig several holes, install tube forms and pour concrete. ... First, the pallets are not directly on the ground. In most of the cases, the top of the forms should be 1-2” above the ground level. Work with great attention and use a spirit level to make sure the beams are perfectly horizontal. Weed cloth was laid down, 1'x1' pavers were placed at each corner of the deck and at the junction of where pallet corners would land, then we arranged the pallets on top. How to Build a Deck on Sloped or Uneven Ground. Be sure to take that into account when doing your measurements. Decks like this can be used for dining, grilling and other leisure activities. Work with great care and attention, if you want to obtain a professional result. #5 terraced diy pallet deck built for less than $300 #6 build fun pontoon raft with old pallets and gallon plastic drums #7 checkered floating deck of great beauty #8 build a deck around your above-ground swimming pool #9 wooden pallets-only floating decks can be stunning #10 build a small sanctuary under a legendary tree In this close up image, you should easily notice the manner in which you have to secure the joists to the beams. But, if you can make use of limited information, the result is magnificent. This is a bit more labor intensive as it requires excavation of the ground in order to create a level surface to start from. Read More >> It gives the structure a solid footing which is incredibly strong & durable. How to Build a Deck on Sloped or Uneven Ground. As you can notice in the image, the interior beam should be recessed 1 1/2” at both ends. Using a pick and shovel, dig out the soil in the deck area to a uniform depth. Putting up a shed base on uneven ground can be a little challenging. Don’t forget to add a wooden shim if the anchor is wider than the width of the two beams added. Uneven ground is very complicated for steps. This helps give the deck a longer lifespan as the structure is securely fixed; it also raises the frame above ground, preventing the … Lay your deck boards. The first of these is by just building a ground level patio. There is always a kind of relaxation and serenity when we even think of the outdoor spaces like patio, garden and deck area of the house. Choose an exterior wood stain or paint to finish your new deck. In order to smooth the edges of the decking boards, you should either use a router or a sand block with medium sand-paper. Our wood pallet deck has served us well. As you can easily notice, building a deck on the ground is easy if you lay out the structure properly, level the beams with a spirit level and use quality materials. Generally speaking, wooden decks are a great addition to any house or garden, as they create a multi-functional space, where you can take dinner, spend time with your family and friends or read a book while enjoying the fresh air. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Dig a hole, at least twice as deep as the block. Next, install a beam made of two 2×6, in the post anchors. Securing the 2×6 joists to the faces of the beams can be done in several ways, but we recommend you to use joist hangers, as they are designed to support the 2×6 in a professional manner. For the majority of people, this isn’t an issue. Once the paint or stain is dry, add polyurethane to protect the finish further. If you want to build a 10×10′ or 8×10′ deck on the ground, you have to pour several concrete footings. Building a deck on a slope can be tricky, but you can easily do it when you know what steps to follow. These directions are for a ground level deck, but can easily be modified for an above-ground application. Beyond this generalization, you also need to consider if the soil is unstable, loose or sandy. Since the pallets will hold the fabric in place, you do not need to fix it much, just so that you can put the pallets on it. If you lay it directly on the ground, you may find that it’s more susceptible to absorbing moisture and might need additional maintenance. Mark a cutting line for the end of the first board and cut it to fit making sure … I cut the rest of … Tie a string tightly in between the stakes. That way, your deck … medianet_width='300'; medianet_height= '250'; medianet_crid='392434188'; (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Simple Ground Level 8×8 Deck – Free DIY Plans, HowToSpecialist – How to Build, Step by Step DIY Plans, Lay out the deck in a professional manner, using batter boards and string, Plan the deck according to your needs and tastes. Apply several coats of varnish, to protect the wood against water damage or decay. Remember, the plywood that will cover this will raise the height another 3/4 of an inch. There are two main ways you can build your platform on a sloped or uneven surface. For slopes steeper than 45 degrees, consulting an engineer may be the best choice. Sustained dampness is the enemy of a ground level deck since it will lead to mold, rot and decay. Recycled Pallet Deck. This step by step diy article is about how to build a deck on the ground. They are resting on pavers and do n ot touch the ground. Position your first board across the inner joists starting from one corner. In order to secure the beams into place, you have to drill pilot holes and insert several lag bolts. One of the handful of raised, multi-tiered designs on this list, this recycled pallet deck requires some know-how. Add gravel and sand to the hole – using the same method as when we laid the Stone Walkway. The next step is to install the joists every 16” on center. 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. Therefore, we recommend you to pour the footings on each corner and consider adding at least one more, on two sides of the deck. Don’t forget that you have to secure the joints between the wooden components by using corner brackets, metal joist hangers and several long screws. We have used it for four years and it’s been relocated once, but it was time for an upgrade. 19. Drive 36-inch-long stakes 6 inches into the ground at the approximate locations of the corners of the deck using a steel mallet. Don’t forget to share our articles with your friends, by using the social media widgets. If you want to build a 10×10′ or 8×10′ deck on the ground, you have to pour several concrete footings. In order to drain the water properly, we recommend you to leave 1/10” between the boards (place a nail between the boards to get a consistent gap). Since we made a brick border around the deck, we hold the fabric in place with the bricks. These footings have to be perfectly aligned and level, otherwise the deck won’t have a professional look. Measure, measure, and measure again to ensure your deck is good and level. Don’t forget that you have to use a tape measure, in order to place the joists equally spaced (every 16” on center). The ground under a platform deck will get wet. Next, you have to install the rim joists into position, by inserting several nails trough the perpendicular joists, and by installing a corner bracket. Next, use a circular saw or a jigsaw to cut the decking boards along the cut line. Step 2 - Excavating the Area. How Many Footing Do You Need For Your Deck? 2 Therefore, we recommend you to pour the footings on each corner and consider adding at least one more, on two sides of the deck. Choosing the location for the free standing deck is difficult, as you have to comply with the local building codes and to place it as to enjoy your beautiful backyard. Place your blocks 4 feet apart. 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. This DIY deck is a gorgeous addition to Alexi Politis’ backyard. This will reduce the likelihood of moisture seeping into the … Sandpaper any and all rough areas before coating with paint or stain, and allow dry time between each coat as you apply it. It is more complex, but the instructions are best described as brief, so some prior experience is a must for filling in the gaps. By clicking GO!, you acknowledge that you have read Trex's Privacy Policy. Because these are the places we meet the nature to its fullest as sun rises, lowers, and fresh air breezes in the outdoors only. The other method is to create concrete pads for the deck to sit on top of. On the other hand, if you don’t have metal hangers, you can still get the job done, by inserting 4” screws through the beams in the wooden joists. Thank you for reading our article about how to build a deck on the ground and we recommend you to check out the rest of our projects. 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. Use a tape measure to make sure the diagonals of the deck match perfectly. Copyright © 2021 Trex Company, Inc. All rights reserved. Follow along for instructions, material lists, and time and money saving tips and tricks. Second, the top boards are treated deck boards. Level their surface and install the metal anchors into place. See how to build a tiered walk-out wooden pallet deck for under $300. 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. How to Build an Elevated Deck on Uneven Ground This article will show you how to build a sturdy deck using common tools with minimal cuts and expense. Wear safety goggles when sawing wood. Follow along for instructions, material lists, and time and money saving tips and tricks. Alexi blogs about DIY projects, design and entertaining at Seeking Alexi.She created this simple deck to help make her backyard the perfect place for outdoor entertaining.. Alexi had no specialized skills for building a deck, but she’s a fearless DIYer, and she produced this simple and sturdy deck without spending a lot of money. In order to work like a qualified professional, we recommend you to build batter boards from 2×4 wooden boards and string. If you use screws, you have to drill pilot holes with a drill machinery, as to avoid the wood from splitting. After you have installed decking boards on the whole surface of the free standing deck,  you should use chalk line to mark the straight cutting line. Terms of use. The ground is uneven, however, and slopes downhill in a southward direction. If you have followed our tips and step by step guide, the structure of the free standing deck should look similar to the construction in the image. Leave … You can begin by mapping out the area where you plan to build your deck. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); *HowToSpecialist is participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. The techniques required vary according to the complexity of the project, but we will show you the main woodworking techniques, as to get the job done in a professional manner and to keep costs under control. Work with great care, making sure you take accurate measurements and place the beams and joists symmetrically. Dig 15” holes with a posthole digger, pour a 3-4” layer of gravel and install the tube forms. The deck was going to be located in a fairly level part of the back yard, so I didn't bother moving around any dirt. Next, you have to attach the decking boards by inserting two screws trough the boards into each joist. In order to build a deck on the ground, you need the following: First of all, you have to set out the free standing deck accurately. You really want the distance from the last step to the ground to be uniform across the step, and the distance to the ground should be the same as the height of a step (i.e., if you have risers, the last one should be at ground level. Making use of the plan for your deck, mark out the perimeter of the structure by means of wooden stakes, which you will drive into the ground every few feet. The sloping ground provides good drainage for the orchard, but presented some problems for the vegetable beds. Step 3: Consider Ground Level Deck Ventilation. Pallets are very strong and weather resistant in many cases, which is why they are perfect for outdoor use. So, if you will be building a shed base on flat ground, read on to learn how to build a shed foundation on uneven ground that will be solid and last. Before starting the project, you have to make sure the location of the deck is level and the soil structure is able to support the construction. Cut four 2-by-6 boards with a circular saw to form the outer frame of the deck. Can I reuse the footings from my old deck for a new deck project? This is probably the most popular method by which to build a deck & for good reason. Make sure that the deck board is in the opposite direction to the inner joists and flush to the frame. 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. Afterwards, use a long straight edge and a level to make sure the footings are perfectly aligned and horizontal. The links provided in the Shopping Lists and Tools sections are affiliate links. Dig 15” holes with a posthole digger, pour a 3-4” layer of gravel and install the tube forms. Mix a small quantity of concrete and fill the tube forms, as in the image. 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