Experienced Deck Builders?

[Steppenwolfe]

My summer project at the camp will be a small 8'x12' free standing deck.

Looking for guidance on support structure. Right now, the plan is to use concrete deck blocks setting on grade. Is there something better/easier? How many should I use? Should I stay on 16" centers, or is 24" OK? Planning to use 2x6 pressure treated frame, with 5/4 top boards.

Deck location is established compacted soil, slight slope (1-2 degrees), usage as a patio/dining area for 2-4 people.

Thoughts/ideas?

If you are going to do an 8 x 12 you might as well do a 12 x 12. That will fit a small round table and 4 chairs with some room to move around. I don't like the concrete deck blocks on grade, though. Dig down 3 feet and do it right.

 

[Steppenwolfe]

Yes. They make special concrete piers, about 12 x 12 with a recess for the 4x4 posts.

I'd run one level of 2x6s at 24 OC in one direction, then another level of 2x6s perpendicular at 16 OC similar to what's shown above. I'm not sure I'd do what they did with the 4x4s though. I usually lag through the joists into the posts.. Edge board of 2x8 or 2x10 around the perimeter. Deck boards laid perpendicular to the top 2 x 6s and over the edge of the perimeter boards. Use deck hardware, joist hangars, corners, angles, etc. as needed.




I'd do that if possible. Not very easy to add on later. Try to use dimensions that require as little cutting of boards as possible, even if you have utility power available.


Site like Lowes and HD usually have deck building configurators that will call out most of the lumber and hardware you'll need.

Deck building ideas are like opinions, we all have one. The above is nice and would be improved with some lateral bracing to eliminate any shimmying.

 

[ultrarunner]

I'm tired of wood.

If I wasn't on a hillside, I would give up wooden decks. I get about 8-10 years between major rebuilds with treated wood.

If I wanted a slightly raised deck on flat land, I'd build a retaining block perimeter, fill with gravel, then pavers of some kind. Or maybe just poured concrete.

Bruce

Amen brother... Decks and walks were all 100% new in 2005 and I just spend 60k rebuilding and this does not include the stairs to the water... Western WA is brutal on exposed wood.

A lot of the cost was going with a composite for the decking...

Also... not originally part of the project was water infiltration behind the cedar siding which showed no problems... a window trim framing detail with mitered corners let water on the weather side get behind the siding AND vapor barrier...

I thought about retaining and fill and other ideas but lots of restrictions with water front when doing any other than repair...

 

[timswi]

When I did mine 4 years ago at camp (12x24) we built the 6x12 frames in my garage at home and hauled them up on the trailer. Since I'm covered in roots, we set 12x12 pads down every 6 feet--3 across the 12' width and every 6' down the length and carrage bolted the frame boxes and 4x4's together. We just leveled the deck to the site using varying 4x4 lengths. The deck is only 2' off the ground. So far no sinking or other movement. Obviously this isn't code for residential but it works well at my camp. And its moveable if needed.

 

[dalola]

Lots of good ideas rolling in, TY!

As mentioned, I can't increase size too much due to trees....I will remeasure to see if I can get maybe 10x12, but I know I can't get 12x12. Also not worried about settling, with all the tree roots, rocks, etc.. Very hard ground, very minimal excavating.

I like the skid base idea, I will look further into that. Might be easier than the deck blocks, and I can level out with concrete blocks & PT wood. I would think it would also minimize ground contact points.

 

[ovrszd]

I'm assuming you have Winter frost? If so, you need to address that in your build.

 

[Egon]

I'm tired of wood.

If I wasn't on a hillside, I would give up wooden decks. I get about 8-10 years between major rebuilds with treated wood.

If I wanted a slightly raised deck on flat land, I'd build a retaining block perimeter, fill with gravel, then pavers of some kind. Or maybe just poured concrete.

Bruce

I’d also go with this method.

 

[Diggin It]

While I might do that at home, we don't know how remote this camp area is or what kind of access there would be to move those materials.

 

[s219]

I've built a lot of decks attached to homes, but last year I built a freestanding deck for our back yard. It's in a resource protection area near the waterline, so it couldn't be a permanent structure. I also wanted it low to the ground so it wouldn't obstruct views from our home and didn't require steps. I think it takes a little bit different approach if you want it low to the ground. So I did the math and ended up with 4x4 skids running one way and 2x4 framing (16" on center) running across. 5/4" deck boards on top. The skids are supported with concrete blocks dug in and leveled. It's extremely rigid and stiff, with zero bounce. I haven't had any settling, but it would be easy to jack the deck up and shim a block if needed. I can also move it elsewhere if I have to, although I don't plan to!

I went 12x12 and to me that is a minimum size for a deck if you want people to mill around and be able to place chairs. Here are some pics:

 

[Diggin It]

I was going to ask how you attached the joists to the skids, but then I saw the 2x4 blocks.