Read More >> You can begin by mapping out the area where you plan to build your deck. Don’t forget to share our articles with your friends, by using the social media widgets. 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. The links provided in the Shopping Lists and Tools sections are affiliate links. Dig a hole, at least twice as deep as the block. 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. Follow along for instructions, material lists, and time and money saving tips and tricks. 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. 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. 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 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. (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 sloping ground provides good drainage for the orchard, but presented some problems for the vegetable beds. For slopes steeper than 45 degrees, consulting an engineer may be the best choice. Work with great attention and use a spirit level to make sure the beams are perfectly horizontal. Make sure that the deck board is in the opposite direction to the inner joists and flush to the frame. How to Build a Deck on Sloped or Uneven Ground. Little by little we have been working on the back yard, and the new deck is working out perfectly! They are resting on pavers and do n ot touch the ground. 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. The first of these is by just building a ground level patio. 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. It is more complex, but the instructions are best described as brief, so some prior experience is a must for filling in the gaps. We have used it for four years and itâs been relocated once, but it was time for an upgrade. In order to secure the beams into place, you have to drill pilot holes and insert several lag bolts. In addition, use a spirit level to align and plumb the wooden joists, before driving in the screws. Place your blocks 4 feet apart. Be sure to take that into account when doing your measurements. 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. But, if you can make use of limited information, the result is magnificent. Don’t forget that you have to use a tape measure, in order to place the joists equally spaced (every 16” on center). In order to smooth the edges of the decking boards, you should either use a router or a sand block with medium sand-paper. There are two main ways you can build your platform on a sloped or uneven surface. 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. By clicking GO!, you acknowledge that you have read Trex's Privacy Policy. If youâre laying your deck straight onto the ground, cover the area with a layer of weed control fabric. Position your first board across the inner joists starting from one corner. Dig 15” holes with a posthole digger, pour a 3-4” layer of gravel and install the tube forms. Can I reuse the footings from my old deck for a new deck project? Next, you have to attach the decking boards by inserting two screws trough the boards into each joist. For the majority of people, this isnât an issue. Follow along for instructions, material lists, and time and money saving tips and tricks. 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 that you have to secure the joints between the wooden components by using corner brackets, metal joist hangers and several long screws. 19. Next, you have to install the rim joists into position, by inserting several nails trough the perpendicular joists, and by installing a corner bracket. Copyright © 2021 Trex Company, Inc. All rights reserved. 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. Step 3: Consider Ground Level Deck Ventilation. 2 Lay your deck boards. Second, the top boards are treated deck boards. Work with great care and attention, if you want to obtain a professional result.
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. 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. Therefore, we recommend you to pour the footings on each corner and consider adding at least one more, on two sides of the deck. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});
This DIY deck is a gorgeous addition to Alexi Politisâ backyard. 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. 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. Level their surface and install the metal anchors into place. Cut the boards long enough to meet the dimensions for the deck. 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 sheâs a fearless DIYer, and she produced this simple and sturdy deck without spending a lot of money. Pallets are very strong and weather resistant in many cases, which is why they are perfect for outdoor use.
The ground is uneven, however, and slopes downhill in a southward direction. This will reduce the likelihood of moisture seeping into the ⦠Recycled Pallet Deck. Don’t forget to add a wooden shim if the anchor is wider than the width of the two beams added. 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. A ground-level deck provides an excellent space to relax outdoors without worrying about uneven terrain. 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. 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. Putting up a shed base on uneven ground can be a little challenging. Use little rocks if the weather is windy. See how to build a tiered walk-out wooden pallet deck for under $300. Therefore, we recommend you to pour the footings on each corner and consider adding at least one more, on two sides of the deck. Itâs not a bad rule of thumb to simply increase the depth of the footing one foot for every unit horizontal steeper the slope gets. Mark a cutting line for the end of the first board and cut it to fit making sure ⦠Next, use a circular saw or a jigsaw to cut the decking boards along the cut line. Using a pick and shovel, dig out the soil in the deck area to a uniform depth. How to Build a Deck on Sloped or Uneven Ground. ... First, the pallets are not directly on the ground.
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