Well, Mr. Sthole and I have taken the plunge: we’ve bought a house. We’re currently in the limbo mode waiting for everything to go through so we can sign the final papers.
As we looked at our new property the first thing I said to him was “We need to build a deck”. We have a 2×2 concrete slab outside the back door that simply will not do for entertaining, outside barbequing or sitting outside to read while the kids play. As I started to look online for what I wanted (Mr. Sthole could build me pretty much anything I needed him to) I realized that maybe there was someone out there, like me, needing a new deck for the summer.
So here is a great tutorial by Home Depot on how to build a Ground-Level deck.
MATERIALS:
- Ready-mix concrete
- Tube forms
- Post anchors
- 2×4 pressure-treated lumber
- 2×6 pressure-treated lumber
- Pressure-treated shims
- Angle brackets
- Joist hangers
- Galvanized screws
- Dust mask
- Safety glasses
- Work gloves
TOOLS:
- Hammer
- Chalk reel batter board
- Posthole digger
- Wheelbarrow
- Drill
- Circular saw
- GFCI-protected power cords
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Batterboards and mason’s string lines were used to lay out footing locations for a deck that is approximately 8 feet wide and 10 feet long. Six holes for 8-inch-diameter footings were dug with a posthole digger. Each hole is 12 inches deep. There is no frost line to deal with since this is a freestanding deck. Tube forms were used to level the footings about 1 inch above ground level.
Approximate time for a novice (with a helper) to lay out footing locations, dig holes and level tube forms for this deck: 5-7 hours. |
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Six 60-pound bags of ready-mix concrete were mixed in a wheelbarrow.
Place post anchor bolts into the center of each footer before the cement has begun to harden. Be sure to leave enough of the bolt above the footer to connect to the anchor. The anchors were aligned with a long straight board. Diagonal measurements were checked to square the anchor positions. Approximate time (not including curing time): 3-4 hours. |
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Beams were made from double 2x6s. They were attached in the post anchors. A 1/2-inch-thick pressure-treated shim was installed between the beam and one side of the anchor at each footing. The anchor is 3 1/2 inches wide and the beam is 3 inches thick.
Approximate time: 2-3 hours. |
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Beam alignment was checked and adjusted as necessary to make certain beams were square.
Approximate time: 1/2-3/4 hour. |
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2×6 rim joists were attached to the ends of the beams. Angle brackets were installed to provide additional support for the corner joints.
Approximate time: 1-1 1/2 hours. |
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Inner 2×6 joists were attached to the beam faces with joist hangers.
Approximate time: 3-5 hours. |
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Align the inside edge of the first length of decking with the chalk line. Drive two fasteners through the board into the center of each joist. Position each fastener ¾ to 1 inch from the edge of the board.
Approximate time: 3-5 hours. |
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A chalk line was snapped to mark a straight cutting line. Decking was trimmed to length with a circular saw.
Approximate time: 1/4-1/2 hour. Total approximate time for this ground-level deck: 16-24 hours. |
Safety Alert!
Use appropriate safety gear, and follow proper safety procedures when building a deck:
• Wear hearing and eye protection when using all power tools
• Wear eye protection when using striking tools
• Wear a dust mask when cutting lumber and mixing concrete
• Wear gloves and work boots when handling lumber and concrete. (DO NOT wear gloves when operating
power saws)
• Use GFCI-protected power cords when operating power tools outdoors
• Use manufacturer-approved hardware and fasteners for all wood products. Check with the manufacturer or
your local supplier for more information
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