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spanky_md

Black & Decker 'floating deck' instructions?

spanky_md
16 years ago

I want to build a 12' x 25' ground level deck. It will be as close to grade as possible due to grading issues and that our back door sill is already only an inch or two above grade. We have just had the yard graded and that's as good as it's gonna get.

Anyway, I found the instruction below from Black & Decker. It's a platform deck built on precast concrete footings that are set on the ground. Each one has a slotted top to accept joists, which are not fastened to the footing at all, they just rest in it. There are no poured footings.

I'm just wondering how these work in areas where the ground can freeze and thaw several times over the winter. If the joists are just resting in the slots, can the wood framing move enough that it won't crack? I know that some footings could end up higher or lower than others since the ground won't heavy at an even rate over the whole area.

Has anyone built a deck like this? It seems like it would be way less work than pouring concrete footings. I hate mixing concrete and would love to skip that part of this whole business if we can.

Black & Decker 'platform deck'

Comments (13)

  • taylorhp
    16 years ago

    If it were my deck, next to my house, I'd put in the footings to keep it from shifting which could be more than annoying if it were to heave higher than your door sill. I really think you have a nice opportunity for a paver patio.

  • spanky_md
    Original Author
    16 years ago

    Pavers would be the way to go except that this is kind of a temporary deck that I hope will only be there a few years. I want to add on to the house and this deck would have to be removed to do that. But a deck would really increase our enjoyment of the yard in the few years before we get the addition, and I think wood is the cheapest way to go and also the easiest to remove, maybe..? We did a brick patio set in sand once and it was more work than this would be, I think.

    So that's why we ruled out pavers of any kind.

    How high could the deck heave?

    The other way to do it would be to make a small paved well at the door, like one square yard, and then the rest of the deck could be a short step up from that. That would be enough to get the door open no matter what the deck did or didn't do. And we also wouldn't have to excavate much at all under where the deck would be. But it wouldn't look as nice.

  • taylorhp
    16 years ago

    Well, If I were forced to do what you describe, building permit aside, I would do like I did for an 8x8 shed I built. My building inspector did approve this for the shed & there has been no noticable heave or shift. He did have me anchor the floor framing to the ground with angle iron hammered into the ground mabe 3 ft deep.

    Dig trenches 6-8 inches deep around the perimeter and maybe 16in OC or 24in OC depending on your joist size. Fill the trenches with gravel and lay down some 4x4 pressure treated on top of the trenches. Level up the timbers. Frame the deck joists like you would a wall and float the deck joists on the 4x4s. anchor to the ground with angle iron, maybe at all the corners. I'm no engineer, but with more distributed oontact on the ground, I would expect a lot less heave.

    Good luck, this will also give you a really low profile. on my shed, the 4x4 structure finished flush with grade & my 2x4 joists result in 2inches above grade.

  • spanky_md
    Original Author
    16 years ago

    That sounds like a very good alternative. Thanks so much!

  • artist59
    16 years ago

    Check out www.deckplans.com for info on this type of deck, materials, and material calculators. We built an 8' x 20' deck like this about 7 years ago and have had no problems with it. We are in the northeast.

  • hkstallion
    16 years ago

    Saw this post and it really has me rethinking my patio addition.

    does anyone know if this requires a permit if it isnt connected to the house? in Raleigh, NC.

    thanks
    Dave

  • ducter
    16 years ago

    How did this turn out? I am also near Raleigh and was thinking of using a floating system.

  • masiman
    16 years ago

    If I remember correctly, when we lived in Raleigh, a deck not connected to the house and under a certain height, did not require a permit. Double check with the office though.

  • saga
    16 years ago

    spanky,

    I built a floating 25x30 deck for my kids to play hoops on. I built it two years ago and it has worked out well. The only issue thus far is inconsistent frost heave. I live in northern MN, and the area beneath the deck does not have the benefit of snow insulation--thus, the frost penetrates the ground deeper. The deck gets lifted off some of the footings (primarily the perimeter footings, as they heave the least). In the spring the deck drops back down to its normal position.

  • spanky_md
    Original Author
    16 years ago

    Thanks, all. I am encouraged. It will still be awhile before we can build the deck but I think this will save us a bunch of time and energy and some money, too.

  • maschwab11_aol_com
    15 years ago

    I want to add a few things to this . I live in NJ and I was looking up floating decks. I did find that site, but it says that those blocks are not permitted in this state. I wonder why?

  • urbanbp
    15 years ago

    Hi there.
    I hope we can be of assistance. We have a polypropylene adjustable support that can be used for tiles, pavers or timber panels. Using the Deck Jak system, level entry can be achieved over uneven ground (Although a solid base is required to sit the Deck Jaks on)Please check our web site to learn more or email me direct at steveh@urban1.co.nz
    Kind Regards
    Steve

    Here is a link that might be useful: Deck Jaks

  • speng1979
    14 years ago

    Hi Saga,

    How is your deck? I also live in MN and am looking to build a floating deck using deck blocks. I figure it should be a green light for me if your deck is still doing well after this many years. Thanks.

    Shelly