Ground Level Deck Question s

[Jan]

I would like to get some input on a deck that I am thinking about building. First of all , I am a 64 yr old lady who will be building this thing myself, if I go thru with it. I have limited skills, but am sure I could build a box like deck. My question is, would it be fesible to do it.

I want to build a 6' x 16' box like deck directly on the ground,, (think of a pallet like structure only bigger). I feel like I can do it, but am wondering about how long the wood would last placed directly on the ground in Tennessee. I would hate to go to the trouble of building this thing, just to have it rot in 5 yrs or so.

Any observations, pros and cons, would be appreciated...

[Don Phillipson]

Every deck needs a foundation, even if only concrete pads under each corner to lift it off the damp ground. These are sold by building suppliers, who can probably tell you how many to use (probably 6 or 8, one at each corner and one or two under the long edges.)

[SteveF]

A deck made out of good, pressure treated lumber is probably going to last longer than you will. I would keep it off the ground on some concrete post holders (the blocks that look like pyramids with the top flat and grooves for lumber) if possible.

Steve.

[Edwin Pawlowski]

First step, ask yourself, "why a deck?". Perhaps a patio of concrete or flagstone that never needs maintenance is better. The deck is a good hiding place for rodents, while a patio is a nice solid mass.

If you still insist on a deck, mark off the area, get some concrete deck supports and level them out. Then put down some screening inside the deck frame that may lessen the chance of skunks or raccoons burrowing under for a nest. Make the outer frame, then the inner supports etc.

[Jan]

Wow, fast great answers,, thanks guys.. could someone tell me how tall concrete deck supports are? This thing needs to be almost ground level.

The reason I can't do a concrete or flagstone patio is no 1: money. No 2 is I am going to have to do this myself and I think lifting bags of concrete is beyond what I am able to do.

thanks again...

[Dan Espen]

The concrete deck supports can be buried so only an inch or 2 is above the surface.

You can use pavers for a patio. You will be lifting bags of sand and crushed rock but if the delivery is close to where you are going to build, that shouldn't be too bad. The heaviest thing you will encounter in doing a patio with pavers is the compactor. You will need help loading it into your car and unloading it.

I'm not sure about the cost, but I would have guessed a paver patio is cheaper than a deck.

[Goedjn]

Neither one's as cheap as a lawn, though.

[SteveF]

The blocks are about 12" high but you can dig a hole for each one so the top is only a couple inches up.

Steve.

[marks542004]

I would price out your deck material (pressure treated ) , and then paving blocks.

If you used blocks about 2' square thats only 24 blocks.

You can lay them on a sand bed or even very fine gravel or just level the dirt .

Those blocks are quite heavy but if you have a helper its certainly doable.

[<aemeijers]

Oh, hell yes. Almost anything is better than a ground level deck with inaccessible dead spaces. It rot at some point, and something take up residence in there. (crawly things, things with tails, flying yellow things, etc.) If the paving stones frost-heave, you can just pry them up, regrade, and put them back down. And nobody else mentioned it, so I will- if you have any utility or waste line feeds under there, trapping them under a deck will double the cost of any repairs to those.

aem sends...

[hallerb]

pavers way better and likely cheaper too.

plus if the entry door to the home is at the same level as the deck water may enter during heavy rains..... causing floor rot.

all sorts of animals will move under your deck making it their new home, chipmunks, rabbits, skunks, racoons etc.

price the pavers and also getting a handyman to install them, installed pavers mght be cheaper than ground level deck