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Although they can be buried, and sometimes are, they’re really designed to rest on the ground and spare the builder from digging, although the ground may require some leveling first. The oldest of these are deck blocks, and these are just formed concrete blocks. This keeps the wood off the ground and away from moisture so the wood stays drier and lasts longer. But it’s best to support the deck on concrete blocks. How do you support a floating deck?įloating decks can be set directly on the ground or, preferably, a bed of gravel. This type of deck is called a floating deck, and it sits right on top of the ground without any posts or support areas that you’d dig down into the ground. It’s possible to build a deck without digging holes. Can I build a deck without digging holes? They also don’t require frost depth footings and don’t need handrails because they’re so close to the ground. In addition to not requiring a building permit, floating decks are far easier and faster to build than elevated decks. What are the advantages of a floating deck?Ī floating deck offers numerous advantages. Space the deck blocks at 4′ to 6′ intervals to offer the frame good support. How much space should be between deck blocks? If adding additional framing, be sure to keep all boards level and in plane across the tops. For a more rigid feel, 12″ or less may be preferred.
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How far apart should joists be on a floating deck?ĭeck joist spacing should never exceed 16″ on center (with the exception of MAX deck boards, which allow for maximum 24″ on center). So any door thresholds adjoining the patio must be at least that far above the concrete. (depending on the thickness of your decking and whether or not you put spacers under the sleepers). Cracks, craters and seasonal movement along cracks are no problem. Can you build a floating deck over concrete?Įven if your patio is in terrible shape, you can deck over it. Concrete tends to absorb moisture and wood expands when it gets wet, so these two factors combined will result in the wood breaking the concrete. Why deck posts should not be set in concrete?Ī deck post should always be placed on top of footing, not inside concrete because it can break. “On center” is the term to measure from one joist to the next, starting from one center to the center of another.
![floating foundation deck blocks floating foundation deck blocks](https://i.pinimg.com/originals/aa/56/4b/aa564b15e5d6ca4ca79de747014da233.jpg)
2x4s are the smallest dimensional option, making them great for low, ground-level decking if they’re spaced no further than 12” on center. For up-front savings, that seems great, but don’t forget long-term costs. Pressure-treated wood, or chemical-treated wood, decks are generally the cheapest material to build decks with. What is the cheapest way to build a deck? While your specific house and yard set-up may determine which is cheaper for your individual needs, a wood deck is likely to have a better return on investment compared to a concrete patio.
Floating foundation deck blocks install#
Overall, a concrete patio will generally be cheaper to install compared to a deck. How do you build a floating patio deck? – Related Questions Is it cheaper to build a wood deck or pour concrete? These footing size requirements are to ensure enough soil bearing to prevent the joist from sinking in the ground.
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Any decks higher than 24” require concrete piles 10” in diameter and 48” below grade. But a floating deck is a bad idea if the deck is tall or is attached to the house.Ĭan I use deck pier blocks instead of footings? Pier blocks can be used instead of footings for a ground-level deck not requiring permits. A floating deck will save you both time and money during construction. You can either use small concrete blocks and planks, or you can use a post that sets into a pre-formed hole.Īre Floating decks any good? Yes, a floating deck is a good idea if the deck is low, not attached to the house or built close to trees. Do I need to anchor a floating deck? When it comes to floating decks, which are decks that are built very close to the ground, they don’t need any sort of footing.