Here at the cottage, I'll be building a deck. Preferably as simple as possible since I'm a beginner, but it should of course be durable. I've understood some terms like joists, beams, etc., and will study a bit more. But I would like your inspiration on how to make it as nice as possible. Are there pitfalls considering my situation? Does the deck have to be attached to the house or can it be free-standing? Can I have piers lying on the ground or do they need to be driven into the soil? The lumber I've read is best is NTR AB since the cottage is in the forest with minimal stress and I should have a slight slope away from the house to avoid moisture damage. The cottage is in Värmland, so there's a lot of snow in winter.
Grateful for input🙏
Grateful for input🙏
Hello
Great that you plan to build the deck yourself. There are many tips to read/watch on various company websites and here on the forum.
I’ll attempt to answer some of the questions. More extensive answers will likely come later.
Must the deck be attached to the house, or can it advantageously be freestanding?
- Freestanding is what is usually recommended. It can even be a disadvantage to attach the deck to the house, as it restricts movement throughout the year.
Can I have the posts lying on the ground, or do they need to be driven into the soil?
- Posts are always fully or partially in the ground. The alternative is paving stones or lecablock on top of the ground, with the beam loosely resting on them.
Holes for posts are usually dug to frost-free depth, which in Värmland should be around 100 cm. It’s possible to go a bit shallower with different methods, such as macadam and foam plastic under the post.
The wood I have read is best is NTR AB as the cabin is in the forest without major stress, and I should have a slight slope away from the house to avoid moisture damage.
- NTR A is better because it withstands constant contact with the ground, can even be buried. Joists are usually impregnated according to A, and decking according to AB, as these are often placed above ground.
A slope away from the house is good.
Great that you plan to build the deck yourself. There are many tips to read/watch on various company websites and here on the forum.
I’ll attempt to answer some of the questions. More extensive answers will likely come later.
Must the deck be attached to the house, or can it advantageously be freestanding?
- Freestanding is what is usually recommended. It can even be a disadvantage to attach the deck to the house, as it restricts movement throughout the year.
Can I have the posts lying on the ground, or do they need to be driven into the soil?
- Posts are always fully or partially in the ground. The alternative is paving stones or lecablock on top of the ground, with the beam loosely resting on them.
Holes for posts are usually dug to frost-free depth, which in Värmland should be around 100 cm. It’s possible to go a bit shallower with different methods, such as macadam and foam plastic under the post.
The wood I have read is best is NTR AB as the cabin is in the forest without major stress, and I should have a slight slope away from the house to avoid moisture damage.
- NTR A is better because it withstands constant contact with the ground, can even be buried. Joists are usually impregnated according to A, and decking according to AB, as these are often placed above ground.
A slope away from the house is good.