The main code provision for footings that applies to freestanding decks r403 1 4 calls for a minimum footing depth of 12 inches below undisturbed ground surface.
Deck on ground construction.
Ground level decks set outdoor living spaces apart and give you a beautiful area to add chairs potted plants and even a grill for entertaining.
Building a deck in your outdoor space can enhance your home s options for entertaining and relaxation.
To help prevent rotting this deck will have wooden posts attached to concrete footers above ground.
Check with your homeowners association and local building department about permits building codes inspections and any other.
You can find free ground level deck plans and design tools at the websites of home improvement centers and manufacturers of decking and deck parts.
This is a 12 foot by 16 foot deck design.
Get entire plans here for free.
Free flat on the ground deck plan with pdf blueprint download.
Free ground flat deck plan with pdf blueprint download.
Our next deck design was inspired by the flat deck design pictured above which can be found here.
Since a ground level deck does not require safety railings or stairs to access the cost to build one is comparatively lower than building an elevated deck in terms of both materials and labor.
Put them close to the house as a transition from inside to outside or toward the edges of your property to create an island oasis.
There are several methods for setting posts.
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.
Ground level decks can be any shape or size depending on your needs.
It can also be a demanding job so carefully plan the amount of decking you ll need and enlist any helping hands that you can.
Once you have a basic layout bring it to lowe s to have an associate put together professional deck plans and a materials list.
This guide covers how to build a ground level platform as well as a single story raised 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.
A raised deck must have the proper structural support beneath it as well as the railings around it which can double the price of an on grade deck which is just one step above the ground.
Deck boards are typically 5 1 2 inches wide so try to plan a deck size that won t leave narrow pieces at the ends.
It takes some work but this series of articles and videos shows you step by step instructions for each phase and guides you through basic deck building techniques.
Create your design so that the railings are clear of windows and out swinging doors.
When building a deck on a home with a full basement or crawlspace foundation assume that there was an area of overdig when the foundation was built and that the earth up to 5 feet.