How to Build a Deck on Sloped or Uneven Ground. As you can notice in the image, the interior beam should be recessed 1 1/2” at both ends. The sloping ground provides good drainage for the orchard, but presented some problems for the vegetable beds. These footings have to be perfectly aligned and level, otherwise the deck won’t have a professional look. Position your first board across the inner joists starting from one corner. 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. The other method is to create concrete pads for the deck to sit on top of. Use a tape measure to make sure the diagonals of the deck match perfectly. Terms of use. 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. Generally speaking, wooden decks are a great addition to any house or garden, as they create a multi-functional space, where you can take dinner, spend time with your family and friends or read a book while enjoying the fresh air. Afterwards, use a long straight edge and a level to make sure the footings are perfectly aligned and horizontal. Beyond this generalization, you also need to consider if the soil is unstable, loose or sandy. Therefore, we recommend you to pour the footings on each corner and consider adding at least one more, on two sides of the deck. Lay your deck boards. Second, the top boards are treated deck boards. Pallets are very strong and weather resistant in many cases, which is why they are perfect for outdoor use. Work with great care and attention, if you want to obtain a professional result. Don’t forget to add a wooden shim if the anchor is wider than the width of the two beams added. This DIY deck is a gorgeous addition to Alexi Politis’ backyard. In these cases, the lateral stability for the footings is even worse, and a little more depth is likely necessary to assure they don’t slide down the hill. You will need 1 block for each corner of each pallet. Use little rocks if the weather is windy. There is always a kind of relaxation and serenity when we even think of the outdoor spaces like patio, garden and deck area of the house. 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. This step by step diy article is about how to build a deck on the ground. Work with great attention and use a spirit level to make sure the beams are perfectly horizontal. 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. It is more complex, but the instructions are best described as brief, so some prior experience is a must for filling in the gaps. Step 2 - Excavating the Area. 2 medianet_width='300'; medianet_height= '250'; medianet_crid='392434188'; (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Simple Ground Level 8×8 Deck – Free DIY Plans, HowToSpecialist – How to Build, Step by Step DIY Plans, Lay out the deck in a professional manner, using batter boards and string, Plan the deck according to your needs and tastes. Choose an exterior wood stain or paint to finish your new deck. 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. Copyright © 2021 Trex Company, Inc. All rights reserved. Next, use a circular saw or a jigsaw to cut the decking boards along the cut line. 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 she’s a fearless DIYer, and she produced this simple and sturdy deck without spending a lot of money. But, if you can make use of limited information, the result is magnificent. Apply several coats of varnish, to protect the wood against water damage or decay. 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. Sandpaper any and all rough areas before coating with paint or stain, and allow dry time between each coat as you apply it. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); 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. To mold, rot and decay treated deck boards attach the decking boards you! Allow dry time between each coat as you apply it sandpaper any all. Quantity of concrete and fill the tube forms, as to avoid the wood against damage! 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