But before you begin work, check with the local building department to ensure that deck blocks are usable in your area. It does require planning, however, and plenty of sweat equity. This is the second part of our How to Build a Floating Deck series. Even a fall from a height of 12 inches, or so, can easily twist an ankle or cause more serious injury. These decks aren’t as sturdy or stationary as a fixed deck but they have their advantages. Since the floating deck will sit on or partially hover over the ground, I am putting them in for extra support. A deck does not need a handrail or stairs if its walking surface is under 30 inches above the ground. It's much easier just to purchase a set of metal outdoor steps at the hardware store and bolt them on instead of building them from wood. Shall not exceed 592ft2 in deck area [9.12.2.2. You can also use pressure-treated lumber or southern yellow pine for the decking. Always check with your local building department for local regulations, but the International Residential Code says you won’t need a permit for your floating deck if your project meets the following criteria: It takes up less than 200 square feet It’s not more than 30 inches above the ground It’s not attached to your house Floating decks can provide more seating, a dedicated eating area, or a different vantage point in a backyard. Floating Deck Materials. 1) You can build a floating deck over concrete very quickly and easily. If you can find ground contact pressure-treated lumber, that’s even better. [9.12.2.2. From ‘Apartment Therapy‘, learn how to build a freestanding deck from repurposed pallet wood. Total height of low level ground level deck. Set and Level Four Corners of Blocking. Is there a limit to the size of a floating deck I can build using the Titan Deck Foot anchoring system? Editor's Comments The IRC has a provision in Section R403.1.4.1 which allows for the use of non-frost footings when a structure of a certain maximum size or area … We built a floating deck! Here is a great tutorial on how to build a DIY floating deck, from ‘Home Depot‘. If you’re in the market for a freestanding or floating deck, you’re going to want to pay extra attention to this part. In addition to not requiring a building permit, floating decks are far easier and faster to build than elevated decks. From ‘Instructables‘, this simple DIY floating deck tutorial is one of my favorites, because it’s so basic I think even beginning DIY’ers could do it. If you would just like to earn a deck out of the entire wood cubes, you may also set your creativity inside it. How to Build a Floating Deck. Obviously these instructions can be adjusted if you want to build a deck that’s a different size! Mr. Handyman’s Third Annual “My ‘Pet’ Peeves” Photo Contest, Replacing Siding on a House: What to Know. To figure out the height of your posts, add 2 ft. to the height you want your deck to be off the ground. Simply click here to return to Titan Deck Foot Forum. can a floating deck be made above ground so it is not joined to the house. While a floating deck might be next to a building, it may also be a standalone structure in the middle of your yard. This is assuming you have a level lot! Customize it accordingly. Fully Insured - General Liability and Workers' Compensation. Always check with your local building department for local regulations, but the International Residential Code says you won’t need a permit for your floating deck if your project meets the following criteria: A floating deck offers numerous advantages. 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. For wood decking, it’s best to follow a regular maintenance schedule to keep the wood looking great. Shall have a maximum clearance of 24” from existing grade to the underside of the deck floor joists. delivery fee. It measures about 14 feet x 16 feet. As for decking material, there are many kinds of lumber that work great, such as redwood and cedar. With a little cleaning and light maintenance, the material will retain its original appearance for years. (Just to be safe, however, check with your local builder’s office to be sure you’re not in violation of any codes in your area or neighborhood.) They are elevated a bit above the ground and they can be moved from one area of your yard to another. Often, the posts supporting them are not visible, … Floating decks don’t take as much work as a fixed deck. Copyright © Mr. Handyman, All rights reserved. … Treads must be at least 10 inches deep, measuring from front to back. A ground-level deck, sometimes referred to as a floating deck or platform deck, is so-called because, unlike conventional decks, a ground-level deck is not attached to a home or building. With Mosquito Joe, a few pests won’t spoil your deck experience. How? For instance, if you complete with the deck, then it is possible to build a cabana in the rest of the wood cubes. Precast deck blocks take the place of in-ground footings, reducing complexity of construction, time required, and cost. Maintenance intervals will vary depending on the type of wood and climate. Always use pressure-treated lumber to build a floating deck frame. All locations are individually owned and operated. To plan and lay out the deck and watch a video of the entire project, see the first part of the series: Planning a Floating Deck. In typical deck construction, with a ledger on one side of the joist and beam on the other, the size of the joists is driven by the size of the deck and based on the general maximum spans mentioned above. This sleek and subtle floating deck design was made to be tucked into a lush … A reliable, roofing approved waterproof membrane may be the most essential component to extend the lifetime performance for flat roof deck assemblies designed as floating or pedestal systems. Building a deck usually starts with digging holes for concrete piers, placing concrete, and attaching a ledger solidly to the house. We wanted to keep the design simple and clean, so with the help of our friends over at Kreg Tool Company, we used the deck jig and let the wood do all the talking. I am looking to install privacy screens on my concrete patio. Simply click here to return to. © 2004-2019 Decksgo.com. After making my own deck measurements and plans for a 10 X 24 floating deck, I went for it and actually had Lowe’s deliver all the deck material to my house. The deck is going to be low-lying — it’ll be about 12 inches above the ground when complete. Oz-Post promises that you can skip all of those preliminaries when using its Oz-Deck and Oz-Post components to build code-approved supports for a floating deck — in a fraction of the time it usually takes. With this kind of deck, shape is only limited to the imagination. Privacy Screens -How High Can I Go With Titan Wood Post Anchor? Mark that height on your 4 x 4 posts. To avoid this we decided a floating deck would be the best option. We Found Your Local Mr. Handyman Ann Arbor, MI. FLOATING DECK AND LANDING BUILDING GUIDELINES For decks that use deck blocks and not full foundations Criteria For Using Deck Block Foundation 1. Mosquito Joe is part of the Neighborly® community of home services professionals. (7)(c)] 2. A floating deck is a deck that isn’t attached to a building and they “float” above the ground. Because a floating deck is ground level, repairing and maintaining them is relatively easy. All Rights Reserved. Garden Floating Deck. Click here for our precautionary measures. Holy moly, you guys. Composite decking material is also a popular choice thanks to its durability and low maintenance. Now that the deck is done, the next step is to build the pergola. If you really want a low-maintenance floating deck, consider composite decking. Typically, decks under 200 square feet and/or shorter than 30 inches high that are unattached to a property do not require a permit. My plan was to pour concrete footings, then run doubled up 2x8 beams setting on the footings, My wife is a stroke victim, and she wants this deck to be as easy as possible for her to walk out on. Redwood and cedar tend to age better than other materials, but they will eventually fall victim to age. Join in and write your own page! 12×12 Floating Deck Plans – You Will Find a big selection of things you ought to take into account when Building a deck. In either case, there’s a notch on top that fits a 2x- joist or 4×4 post. It won’t bend, crack, splinter or warp, which are more reasons homeowners love it. Where they are too high to sit on the ground, I’m digging them down partially into the dirt. Set the four corners for the deck. A floating deck adds a great elevated place to sit and enjoy a view of a yard. It's easy to do. Build a Floating Deck: Here is how I built a deck in my backyard.It's a "floating deck," which means it simply rests on blocks at ground level, and is not anchored deeply in the ground. dycr107_deck_level-check. Easier to build can also mean lower costs than an elevated deck. When you hire Mr. Handyman for floating deck installation, you get a professional carpenter with an average 10 years’ experience. It's easy to do. Generally, floating decks are low to the ground and don’t require handrails or even staircases. Floating decks don’t take as much work as a fixed deck. Floating decks are simple, attractive and relatively easy to build. The larger the deck, the larger the joists. … A floating deck is an easier project for a DIY-er because it doesn’t require posts and doesn’t need to be tied into a building. Plus, floating decks won’t look out of place if they are freestanding whereas a traditional deck that isn’t attached to a home sometimes looks a bit strange. Floating or pedestal roof deck assemblies can be an ideal low-maintenance deck surface on high traffic areas when properly installed. Join in and write your own page! Interior Deck Blocks. Deck steps can become very complicated to construct. However, it's best to keep a floating deck as low as possible. You can build a simple deck in one day using this floating deck system with basic carpentry skills and tools. In c… The materials and measurements listed are for the size we built. Your health and safety are our highest priority during this time. To watch the framing process, take a look at the framing portion of our floating deck video. If you've finished the frame, it's time to add the decking. One of the biggest plusses of a floating deck is that you (probably) won’t need to get a permit to build it. Request service today or call your local Mr. Handyman at (877) 685-1377. It sits in your yard by itself as a standalone platform. You can use a pencil or other small item to keep the spacing constant. Note: The following post is by no means the only way to build a deck, or even the best way. Our posts ended up being 38-in. A Floating Deck is a deck that is not attached to any structure like your home. A safe height to never go above is 6' for a free standing deck but you still need lots of bracing to keep it from wobbling. How? It can’t damage your home if it’s damaged by weather. You can count on them for reliable mosquito and pest control. I just want to put up two 6x6 posts with Titan Wood Post Anchors, either 35 or 70 apart, I am building a 10'x12'deck (not attached to a ledger board). (7)(b)] 3. You’ll have the freedom to choose whatever shape you like and you can design a platform with multiple tiers. This type of deck can only be made in areas that do not have a deep winter frost. Because a floating deck isn’t attached directly to your home, it can’t pull away and damage the exterior of your house if it’s damaged by high winds … Floating decks can be more versatile than attached, raised decks. If you want your deck to keep its color and texture, plan to pressure wash it every year. A 2x8 up to 12 feet; 2x10 to 15 feet and 2x12 to 18 feet. They are sometimes called “grade-level” or “freestanding” decks because they’re built just above the ground level, or grade. A floating deck can become a hazard in serious storms, as high winds can potentially toss it off its base. You can always use a floating deck concept as long as the deck is not attached to the ledger and so long as the deck is below certain heights as mandated by your local building department. She would like it to be as high as possible, with. Adding a floating deck to your backyard can provide a much-needed platform for patio furniture, a grill, a hammock and other backyard amenities. It’s not more than 30 inches above the ground. The extra processing these boards go through protects them from deterioration, which is an additional threat because floating decks are so close to the ground. They also don’t require frost depth footings and don’t need handrails because they’re so close 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. For the interior support structure, start by measuring two feet from each of the … Some services are subject to state and local licensing and may not be available at all locations. Over time, all unsealed decks will turn gray and start to crack. Use deck fasteners to secure the planks to the support structure underneath. Is there a limit to the size of a floating deck I can build using the Titan Deck Foot anchoring system? Floating decks are also called ground-level decks because they typically hug the ground. I think it was worth the $75. Below are eight reasons to build a floating deck. Generally, a deck should be sealed or stained every two to four years. 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