Building a deck tips for beginners, know nothing about building.

[Nissens]

Hi! I've made some progress on the digging, and now it's starting to get a bit tricky. I've started placing the foundation posts for the deck now.

How would you handle the area near the patio door? Do I need to place 2 more posts for that section, or do you have any other suggestions?

I might also need to drill into concrete to get the joists to attach well, any tips? As I said, I'm completely new and barely know what I'm doing myself.

You should have beams running crosswise to support the joists. The posts should go down to frost-free depth and be bolted to the beams.

 

[Jackie2times]

As mentioned, a twofold laser is available for rent at Renta

 

[Tomture61]

You should have support beams that run across, holding up the floor structure. The plinths should go down to frost-free depth and be bolted to the support beams.

I think you should read the latest post from TS.

 

[Dublin]

Update from today's groundwork, the partner wanted to be in the picture so it looked like she did something 🤣.

Question! How much can you adjust with the gravel later regarding the ground level? How precise do I need to be?

It feels a bit tricky to get it right if you're going to place them directly in the gravel, better on paving stone (you can usually get old concrete slabs for free on marketplace). Another option is adjustable terrace feet, then it's really easy to get the deck level.
https://www.hornbach.se/p/terrassfot-justerbar-35-70-mm/6260944/

 

[Nissens]

Hi everyone, had a guy from Beijers over. Won't be using plinths 🤣 have measured all the plinths but scrapped.
Will dig with a slope towards the lawn, then I will use landscape fabric + gravel. Then the beams will lie against the gravel. The frame against the house will be fastened with concrete screws.

He says the ground here is good enough so the beams will lie directly in the gravel. Thanks to everyone who has written!

Seems like quite a bit of work to build without plinths. All topsoil must be removed (since frost makes it move), lay landscape fabric, fill with gravel, use a plate compactor, and then the slabs the deck rests on.

What do they mean by "the ground is good"?

A thread on the subject:
https://www.byggahus.se/forum/threads/altan-230-m2-anvaenda-kilar-som-nivajustering.144727/

 

[oddan]

With your conditions, you probably want to make a recessed floor structure instead of a cross-floor structure.

 

[Stimulants95]

Given your conditions, you probably want to make a recessed floor structure instead of a cross-floor structure

Yes, it will be a recessed floor structure

 

[Stimulants95]

Seems like quite a bit of work to build without footings. All topsoil needs to be removed (since frost causes it to move), lay landscape fabric, fill with gravel, use a soil compactor, and then the deck rests on slabs.

What do they mean by "the ground is good"?

A thread on the subject:
[link]

I checked the fences around and the neighbors' deck. Also, the old deck I tore down had been against the ground for 20+ years. But I trust him; he is much more knowledgeable than I am.

Yes, I was also a bit surprised about the absence of slabs, but he said that slabs aren't needed. Yes, I will rent a soil compactor.

 

[Stimulants95]

Are there any downsides to tablets? I don't really understand why one wouldn't need tablets.
Any opinion?

 

[Tomture61]

Are there any downsides to slabs? I don't really understand why one wouldn't need slabs.
Any opinion?

Having treated wood directly against the ground is not a good solution, it's best to use plinths + 30-40 cm of air underneath.
But it's not possible for everyone sometimes.
Laying treated wood on macadam = digging out for macadam + fabric + expensive with delivery and materials, wood is in contact with material that can hold moisture for a while.

Concrete slabs = less work effort, cheaper materials, fewer points where wood is in contact with slabs.

 

[Stimulants95]

Having impregnated wood directly against the ground is not a good solution, it's best to use posts + 30-40 cm of air underneath.
But it's not always possible for everyone.
Placing impregnated wood on macadam = digging out for macadam + fabric + expensive with delivery and material, wood is in contact with material that can hold moisture for a while.

Concrete slabs = less labor, cheaper material, fewer points where wood is in contact with slabs.

Yes, exactly, I'm thinking along the same lines. I have lots of concrete slabs lying around, and a friend of mine just finished building a deck so he also has plenty left over.

Is an underlay pad on the slabs a must?

 

[Nissens]

Are there any disadvantages with slabs? I don't really understand why one wouldn't need slabs.
Any opinions?

I would probably consult someone other than that Beijer guy...

In my world, it's risky to lay the deck on the ground without posts unless you lay stone/gravel etc. to frost-free depth.

 

[Stimulants95]

I have a friend who works as a foreman for Contractor, he also suggested using slabs. But that footings are not needed for the ground where I live.

 

[Nissens]

I have a friend who works as a site manager for Contractor, he also suggested using slabs. But that piers are not needed for the ground where I live.

It makes one a bit curious about what kind of soil you have. Topsoil is likely to be affected by frost unless you live in a frost-free area.

What do you have instead of topsoil?

 

[Stimulants95]

Makes you a bit curious about what kind of soil you have. Topsoil is likely affected by frost unless you live frost-free.

What do you have instead of topsoil?

I'm not home but this is very similar to the type of soil we have. So I would say something more towards gravelly soil. Only the upper layer of maybe 10-15 CM is topsoil.