How to Design a Ground-Level Deck
Although there are hundreds of free and commercial plans available online, from mail-order companies and in the book department of your local home center, many do-it-yourselfers prefer the challenge of designing a truly custom deck. If this is your first time, a ground-level deck is the place to start. With fewer framing requirements, no steps and rails optional, it makes for a challenging but doable project. So, break out the graph paper and pencil and a tape measure. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Graph paper
- Tape measure
- Mason's line, chalk, or spray paint
- Three copies of outline plan
Instructions
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Choosing Location and Size
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First, decide where the deck will be placed. Do you want a transition deck starting at your back door and ending in your yard? Or a free-standing deck to take advantage of a landscape feature such as a pond?
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Next, measure the construction site. Using mason's line, chalk or spray paint, create the outline of your deck. Imagine walking onto your deck. Add space for the furniture, barbecues, etc. Think big.
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Using graph paper, sketch the outline of your deck. Make it as close to scale as possible, and mark in details such as doors.
Finishing the Plan
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Plan one concrete footing, or pre-formed concrete deck pier, every 4 to 6 feet to support the frame. Place the footings at corners and joints in the beams. Draw these on your plan, and label them "footings." Make a materials list: cardboard forms and concrete, or piers, for each footing.
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Plan a double outside beam of treated lumber. Building against the house? You need a ledger board attached to the wall of the house at the same height as the outside beam. If the deck is free-standing, use a double beam down each long edge. Add to your materials list: 2-by-8-inch lumber for outside beams and ledger board.
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Plan joists every 16 inches between beams or ledger and beam. Add joist hangers for extra strength. Draw these on the plan, and label them "framing." Add to your materials list: 2-by-6-inch lumber and hangers for joists
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Plan decking at 5/4-by-6 inch size. An 8-foot board covers 4 square feet of deck surface. Add 10 percent for damage and miscuts. Mark the decking on your plan, and label it "decking." Add to your materials list: 5/4-inch-by-6 inch decking and treated deck screws in 1 5/8- and 1 1/4-inch sizes. Ta da! You have a customized deck plan fitted to your exact needs.
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Tips & Warnings
Treated 2-by-6 lumber comes in 8-,10-,12-,14-,16- and 20-foot lengths. The longer, the more expensive per foot and harder to find in quantity.
