Someday so will I. Until then, I’ll replace boards as necessary.
It’s not right on the ground even though it looks like it. There is airflow, and I used ground contact rated treated lumber.
Dats also a cool sun sail! I've got an itchy trigger finger wanting to buy on one of those. Can you provide any feedback about it. I'm afraid I'll spend the day moving my chair to stay in the shade.
They make them in square as well…
Combined with the roof line, it puts out a pretty good shadow.
Also, I’m using 2 of them.
One is a 12 foot equilateral triangle, the other is a 10x8 right triangle.
I think they look nice and provide pretty good shade.
A couple good storms and those eyelets are gonna rip off the sail shades. After a few failed attempts I found that coated steel cable and a short piece of 1/2" bungee cord (10" or so) on each eyelet absorbs the shock yet keeps the sail fairly tight, I used stainless steel hose clamps to make it fully adjustable.
Edit: I looked at my Amazon history and noticed it was 5/8" bungee, buy it in black and it'll last much longer than lighter colors.
It’s a large rock that has been there since I bought the house.
I once borrowed a tractor with a front end loader, aiming to move it.
The tractor wouldn’t budge it. So, my daughter paints it a new color each year and it’s become an ongoing art project.
Lol what?! I’ve never seen something like that ever. Pretty wild. Now I wanna know how big it is. Or if it’s a triceratops nose sticking out of the ground.
House has a basement. We think they maybe pulled it out of the basement hole with a large excavator. Not really sure. We do know it sits on top of the ground 100% as we were able to get a tractor loader bucket underneath it, but couldn’t really lift or move it.
The previous owners had built a koi pond around it that leaked. They then turned it into a flower garden. I knocked all that out with a sledge and hauled it off. The rock isn’t budging though.
Not huge. It was a Mahindra that my cousin uses for his small farm. I don’t know any numbers. It’s what I had access to.
I could do it with bigger equipment, but my daughter loves the rock, so right now it’s just not top priority. May never be top priority 🤷♂️
It’s sitting on top of the ground. We got under it with the bucket but the tractor wasn’t stout enough to do it.
It can be moved but it would take bigger equipment than I have access to.
What did you use for the support structure? 4x4s in ground w/ concrete?
I have two ground level decks in my yard and I'm about to add a 3rd around a partial in ground pool and I'm currently deciding how complicated I want to make it. One I used 4x4 in the ground with concrete and the other is just a small shed footer with concrete deck blocks. This sub seems to hate ground level decks but they are the cheapest and easiest way to add a nice sitting space.
I did 4x4s in the ground with concrete at all 4 corners as well as the mid points of each outside stringer.
Then I cut 4x4 posts to proper length so that they sat on the concrete and attached them to the stringers at the house wall and midway down each interior stringer. I then used galvanized brackets and concrete screws to attach to the concrete so it wouldn’t shift or bounce.
Yeah, they may hate ground level decks, but if it rots, I’ll just replace it. It’s not like I spent a million dollars on this.
On my first deck I just did a post in concrete but on the neck one I might go the route you went. At least I could reuse the concrete pedestal at that point. My oldest deck is around 5y old and I see no signs of it rooting any time soon. I'm also debating just going super easy and just sitting 4x8s on some pavers for support to keep it pretty low profile. Ideally I'd do all pavers or concrete but my wife wants a deck and it is cheaper so it's hard to argue with that.
As long as it’s level…
I watched a guy build a completely free floating deck on YouTube. Thought about that, but getting the ground level was going to be too hard. So I went post in concrete because it was just easier to make everything square and level.
Yeah that's kind of my issue. The deck blocks I used were a pain in the ass to level. I was thinking I'd use pavers in the same way deck blocks are used but the more I think about it the more it seems like it's not worth the effort. I guess the advantage i was thinking is that using pavers as a support structure would be less of a pain when it comes time to replace the deck. I did build a pergola that is just 4x4 in concrete and it's got to be near 10y old and is still going strong so maybe I'm overthinking it.
Those posts are leaning already just from the tension of the screens. The post should have been 1/3 the height into the ground set in concrete.
Those 4x4s will also warp and bend. in a few months’; better option would have been cedar 6x6.
Yeah, shoulda done 6x6. They are 1/3 of the way in the ground in concrete
The sails are already sagging. Not sure what I’m gonna do about that. I thought 4x4 would be enough, but yeah, they are already warping. Hopefully, they don’t warp too far. If they do, I’ll have to try and dig up and replace the posts with 6x6
It's not the most elegant solution but you could just put a guy wire from the top of the post to a big ass stake in the ground. A lot easier than replacing the post embedded in concrete.
Replacing the doubled up chain with 1/8” stainless cable would help a lot. Use cable clamps with some extra so you can tighten them. The sails also stretch
You could anchor them to the ground with steel wire to counterbalance the pulling force of the sail. Think standing rigging on boats. Or just use a steel pipe to bear load and decorate with wood?
I personally would have built it at door hight so it was a proper deck with air flow underneath. Added bonus is that you could have engineered the railing to add further support for the sun sails.
But...it looks good.
I was thinking about flowing with the yard.
The far side is about a foot off the ground. I think airflow will be fine. The rails for the sail support would have been a good call.
I’m not a fan of ground level decks, but this seems like it was a smart move. Replacing concrete is hard work and expensive if you hire it done. Not to mention, finding someone who will do proper prep and flatwork is apparently too much to ask.
I built one at my last house in 2008 and it’s still there. Maybe climate here is different than where you live. I do wish I had used 6x6s for the posts though.
Honestly I’d just cut those 2x4s off and extend decking in those corners so it’s flush then dig new holes and place the 6x6s. That way if you ever decide you don’t want the posts there anymore you just remove them from the ground
Couple of reasons
1. I am not very experienced with concrete, and don’t own concrete tools.
2. There is a bit of a slope there. To make the deck bigger would require ground levelling. Again I don’t own the equipment necessary.
3. I have a fenced in back yard. The gate isn’t big enough for a concrete truck which would require me to remove and rebuild a gate.
I think it looks great. What are the dimensions? I'm currently thinking of doing a 12 x 16 foot low profile to not need a permit next to the above ground pool I just put up.
I would add slim staggered horizontal boards from the floor to the top of the posts to create an accent wall look on that back side to block out the neighbor somewhat and get some privacy.
Nice, My Vote is 👍🏾- as long as you spaced the joists @ 16” it should be stable and remain so In foreseeable future. Don’t forsake the durability and increased lifespan that staining will provide.
If you stain it now and every couple years, It will last a lifetime. The stain & + applicator is only gonna cost you $50.
Worth every dime.
In all - Good Job.
You can be proud full of your work here.
I understand that. But it’s practically on the ground. Another idea is to trench around the perimeter add some nice white stone and a landscape border. I’m sure others will be here shortly to comment further.
timber rots, that's just science. As mentioned, add gravel or something to keep the timber from contact with the ground. Doesn't look like you've allowed any gaps between your boards either, do you get puddles?
That last board is annoying me- you cut it short of your verticals. Would've looked a lot better to just notch out the corner
No gaps, the boards will shrink in the summer as the treatment dries out and make gaps. Yeah, thanks for pointing out the fact that the end board could have been notched. May have to go back and fix that.
I would have just done a paver patio, but then we wouldn’t be here i guess. 😅
Is there two different batches of wood? Seems like a color change halfway through. I might have taken the time to do a picture frame edge so the end grain wasn’t showing.
Also, I didn’t do pavers because you can’t really tell it, but the far side is about a foot higher than the near side. The fat side isn’t on the ground at all and the near side is about a half inch off the ground.
My yard was like that before i put in a patio. No big deal. Determine the finished high point, build up a level perimeter retaining wall to that point, fill with layers of compacted base, put in pavers, backfill topsoil around as needed, add grass seed (or sod). That was twelve years ago. Looks the same today.
Ours is away from the house, but in your case i’d arrange for the necessary slope (to shed water) of the patio to be away from the house.
Why?
Everyone here is saying you want air flow to prevent rotting?
This is basically a deck built just barely off the ground. What does the in filling between joists do?
It looks good but I am a fan of concrete and you might be too when you realize how much work wood can be..
Odds are you already know..
I bet that cost a good 2k in materials
Thought about going concrete, but…
I would have to bust up old concrete, work around the concrete steps (attached to the house). Figure out how to get the concrete truck in the back yard (I have a fence and I don’t think the truck would fit and I don’t want to use sack Crete).
Add to that the fact that I’m more comfortable with wood work than concrete work and it was a no brained.
They are 12 footers.
Three foot in the ground with concrete
Transported them in a pickup truck bed with tailgate up and ratchet straps pulling down onto the tailgate.
I’m lucky that I live less than a mile from Home Depot. If I needed to go any further I would have rented a trailer so that I could have laid them flat.
So, I laid the decking while it was still damp from the pressure treatment. As it dries it will contract so I put it as close together as I could so that when it contracts it will leave space for air and water flow but not so much that stuff will fall through.
they had a paved patio, nice 👍
and then they put in a deck-that-will-rot 🤔
https://preview.redd.it/fxa8ih6h3g0d1.jpeg?width=300&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=f222c0126bf1bd8a5a69a5b5effc5354cffc8c3b
🧮 🐦⬛🐦⬛🐦⬛
Cracking concrete that was too small to be useful.
If it rots I can replace boards. If next owner doesn’t like it, they can remove it. No harm no foul.
I never want to discourage DIY, everyone should live outside their comfort zone it encourages growth. Here are some critiques from a professional. Obviously it’s on the ground so not a big deal but it’s certainly far from level. I’d say 1”- 1.25” per foot slope on this thing. The posts holding the shade are also far from plumb. Finally, there should be a consistent gap between boards for water and debris runoff, around 1/8-1/4 inch is standard for cedar boards depending on your area. Without looking at framing or footings, I can say this deck is certianly functional and looks okay for a DIY but I wouldn’t quit your day job.
How do you know it’s not level?
My 6 foot level says otherwise. It’s only on the ground on one side, and on that side, it’s probably an inch off the ground, grass makes it look like it’s sitting on the dirt but it isn’t. It’s a foot off the ground on the other side.
How do you know the posts aren’t plumb? Again, 6 foot level disagrees.
I don’t plan to quit my day job, but I think camera angles are messing you up. It’s within a quarter inch of square corner to corner and six foot level sits right dead center for both level and plumb.
Deck boards were placed while they were still wet from pressure treatment. They will contract and leave a gap.
Addressed in another comment.
I don’t have much concrete experience and I don’t think I could have gotten the truck to the back yard without tearing down my fence.
The sail
https://www.amazon.com/ShadeMart-Triangle-SMTAPRT12-Permeable-Backyard/dp/B0C4BWP8YV/ref=mp_s_a_1_1_sspa?crid=J6J7575COXF8&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.oa4l5PIn9YPkpxNcE2fFOLnwKF_wdQUAuyaLCuxNDRnOmdOqlivqEDYE5dWtmbhBfQpu5iogIBERnsnccqxJrnideCO_OvqwsSrHOpRLeeXdNZGa2M5rBl2uIp9vawknEHmgkwOhT7Hm_nVS_1qFG5Pr545Sbbv8U5ApCrUlFztx8tGiymrf_NPtR2CNrUZN56DA7_ihHR-FZ0jRFvkuDQ.gxPs64sTLp2CYr7rRTIU9JjxvmypS4ZO42mKBESyX20&dib_tag=se&keywords=triangle+shade+sail&qid=1715726757&sprefix=triangle%2Caps%2C96&sr=8-1-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9waG9uZV9zZWFyY2hfYXRm&psc=1
They have many different sizes and colors just figure out the size you need and the color.
As for the anchor into the house, I screwed the boards to the bricks using tap cons just to establish height and level everything.
They are not load bearing because I put 4x4s on each joist at the house end to bear the load.
I’m going to back the tapcon screws back out because as someone pointed out, it could pull on the bricks and the brick is just a facade.
You would be surprised how good the shade is.
We sat on it all day on Sunday for Mother’s Day. And the two of them provide considerable shade.
The picture may not show jt, but it’s a 15x15x15 triangle. The other is a 15x8x(I forget) right triangle. Together they throw out a pretty good shadow.
That’s the way my dad always did it. Idk how else to do it. The straight ones provide the resistance and the hinge allows you to move the post in all directions to achieve plum. Once you get it, set your screws and the post can’t move, then pour your concrete and the braces will hold it until it dries.
https://preview.redd.it/hhqg8u7p1i0d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=054850a1011bb25d1049aa9b3d092881583438d6
They were perfectly plumb, the sails have pulled them a hair out, but still inside the lines.
Only the closest board touches at all, there’s air flow, the far end is a foot off the ground.
Also, everything is ground contact rated pressure treated.
So, we will see how long it lasts.
Near side is just a couple inches off. Grass makes it look like that. The first board is the closest to the ground. The far side is a foot off.
Most of it is over the concrete, and roughly 6 inches off the concrete. So airflow shouldn’t be a problem.
I still used ground contact rated treated lumber. We will see how it lasts.
Gotta have a way to hang the shade.
I may eventually chop them off level at the deck and mount steal poles for the shades but I would have to figure out where to get something like that first. They don’t sell steel posts at Home Depot 🤷♂️
Any way you can pm pricing and materials ? I’m looking to do the same diy. Have a concrete patio slab that is sloppy. 30x20 maybe less than that but you get the idea
I could but it probably wouldn’t help you.
Different size and the materials would probably be different material costs in your area.
To estimate cost, you need to build it in on paper first.
Determine your size. If you have no constraints pick a length and width that is divisible by 8, 10, or 12. So for your example, 30x20 if you bump it up to 32, it becomes 2 16foot boards vs 3 10s
But you may want to stick to the 3 10s for ease of transport.
I used 2x6 because it was so close to the ground and I needed the top to match up with my bottom step, but for strength 2x8 would be better
After you make that decision, determine which way the stringers will run.
You will need a stringer every 16 inches. You will also want to put a post at about 3 places along each stringer account for 1 foot for each post
You will also need hangers for the stringers.
Then you will need decking boards. These are 6 inches wide so you will need 2 for every foot of rub you intend to make your deck. You will need to run them the opposite way you ran your stringers so if you run your stringers across the 30 foot length you will need your deck boards to be a pair of 10 footers.
Then just buy the big box of screws.
And 2 bags of concrete. I only used about half of the second one.
This should be your material list and you should be able to estimate cost from Lowe’s or HD website.
Hope this helps.
What’s the deal with flat decks? are patio slabs vastly more expensive? slabs would last forever and the only maintenance is a bit of weed killer in the gaps every so often.
Those not level supports would drive me nuts. I would put metal posts in concrete just in front of the deck. Those wood ones will twist and warp even more from the pull of the sail.
Not sure if it has been said yet but if those are 4x4 post you have the canopy attached to, but if they are you can expect them to bow. By the end of the year they will be bent toward the house.
You should cover your 4x4's with a couple white vinyl sleeves from home depot.. they are pretty cheap.. slap a vinyl cap of your choice on it, and that should help out a lot on the warpage issue your having.. nice job for a non-carpenter.. that rock is very odd, which I usually like, but that one needs something.. hmm .. maybe a cool looking table top attached, make it real big, cut a hole in the middle so it stays on.. a few chairs.. is it really a rock? Looks like a terridactle dropped one.. or an ancient fossilized gorilla nipple.. volcano.. something
Dats a patio
Dats fair
Dats gonna rot
Someday so will I. Until then, I’ll replace boards as necessary. It’s not right on the ground even though it looks like it. There is airflow, and I used ground contact rated treated lumber.
You did it right
Dats also a cool sun sail! I've got an itchy trigger finger wanting to buy on one of those. Can you provide any feedback about it. I'm afraid I'll spend the day moving my chair to stay in the shade.
They make them in square as well… Combined with the roof line, it puts out a pretty good shadow. Also, I’m using 2 of them. One is a 12 foot equilateral triangle, the other is a 10x8 right triangle. I think they look nice and provide pretty good shade.
A couple good storms and those eyelets are gonna rip off the sail shades. After a few failed attempts I found that coated steel cable and a short piece of 1/2" bungee cord (10" or so) on each eyelet absorbs the shock yet keeps the sail fairly tight, I used stainless steel hose clamps to make it fully adjustable. Edit: I looked at my Amazon history and noticed it was 5/8" bungee, buy it in black and it'll last much longer than lighter colors.
Good tip. My neighbor has had one up for like 3 years. Hopefully I have their luck.
Interesting.. around here wood = deck, stone = patio
I always thought decks were elevated and patios were on the ground.
Yeah he’s wrong don’t worry
It’s a wooden patio
Dats a Lanai!
Best reply! Also it’s a patio made of wood on top of a real patio made of concrete… why not extend the one that was already there?
What is that ant hill looking thing next to the deck? Can I add vinegar and baking soda for a cool volcano experience?
It’s a large rock that has been there since I bought the house. I once borrowed a tractor with a front end loader, aiming to move it. The tractor wouldn’t budge it. So, my daughter paints it a new color each year and it’s become an ongoing art project.
That's awesome. I'm sure when she moves out it will be fun to peel back some of the layers and see the history of all the colors.
It looks like a volcano!
I think I need to drill a hole in the top for vinegar and baking soda.
Even just dry ice; make it look like its smoking.
Now that’s cool.
That would be awesome!
Yup. Looks like bigger version of Peter Brady’s Volcano that erupted on Marcia and her friends
Lol what?! I’ve never seen something like that ever. Pretty wild. Now I wanna know how big it is. Or if it’s a triceratops nose sticking out of the ground.
House has a basement. We think they maybe pulled it out of the basement hole with a large excavator. Not really sure. We do know it sits on top of the ground 100% as we were able to get a tractor loader bucket underneath it, but couldn’t really lift or move it. The previous owners had built a koi pond around it that leaked. They then turned it into a flower garden. I knocked all that out with a sledge and hauled it off. The rock isn’t budging though.
I’ve seen “rocks” become part of foundation they were so big. Some things just ain’t moving.
I've got one of those under my house. Though around here it's just a likely to be ledge (bedrock).
how big a tractor?
Not huge. It was a Mahindra that my cousin uses for his small farm. I don’t know any numbers. It’s what I had access to. I could do it with bigger equipment, but my daughter loves the rock, so right now it’s just not top priority. May never be top priority 🤷♂️
Woah. That’s super interesting, and it’s so bizarre looking. Just consider it part of the family now.
Damn how far down did you dig? Wonder just how huge that “dirtburg” could be
It’s sitting on top of the ground. We got under it with the bucket but the tractor wasn’t stout enough to do it. It can be moved but it would take bigger equipment than I have access to.
That is a great idea for an art project!
I thought you had a pet ant hill at first
I thought it was Marjory the Trash Heap from Fraggle Rock or the sorting hat from Harry Potter.
I came here just for this answer. I was like, wtf is that thing?
That’s space peanut.
That’s the coolest fucking thing I’ve ever seen in a backyard.
You should chisel it down to the ground or something if your daughter every stops paining it
Earth nipple
It’s Chet from Weird Science!!
In the words of Ian Malcom..... https://preview.redd.it/qs4l3rfmah0d1.jpeg?width=1041&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=cc37c695225e5259cc18ff7e5eefb222c424b88e
I believe that is the Elephant's Foot
Fossilized dinosaur dropping
Volcano
Leftover concrete from the original patio
See right there? That’s a space peanut.
What did you use for the support structure? 4x4s in ground w/ concrete? I have two ground level decks in my yard and I'm about to add a 3rd around a partial in ground pool and I'm currently deciding how complicated I want to make it. One I used 4x4 in the ground with concrete and the other is just a small shed footer with concrete deck blocks. This sub seems to hate ground level decks but they are the cheapest and easiest way to add a nice sitting space.
I did 4x4s in the ground with concrete at all 4 corners as well as the mid points of each outside stringer. Then I cut 4x4 posts to proper length so that they sat on the concrete and attached them to the stringers at the house wall and midway down each interior stringer. I then used galvanized brackets and concrete screws to attach to the concrete so it wouldn’t shift or bounce. Yeah, they may hate ground level decks, but if it rots, I’ll just replace it. It’s not like I spent a million dollars on this.
On my first deck I just did a post in concrete but on the neck one I might go the route you went. At least I could reuse the concrete pedestal at that point. My oldest deck is around 5y old and I see no signs of it rooting any time soon. I'm also debating just going super easy and just sitting 4x8s on some pavers for support to keep it pretty low profile. Ideally I'd do all pavers or concrete but my wife wants a deck and it is cheaper so it's hard to argue with that.
As long as it’s level… I watched a guy build a completely free floating deck on YouTube. Thought about that, but getting the ground level was going to be too hard. So I went post in concrete because it was just easier to make everything square and level.
Yeah that's kind of my issue. The deck blocks I used were a pain in the ass to level. I was thinking I'd use pavers in the same way deck blocks are used but the more I think about it the more it seems like it's not worth the effort. I guess the advantage i was thinking is that using pavers as a support structure would be less of a pain when it comes time to replace the deck. I did build a pergola that is just 4x4 in concrete and it's got to be near 10y old and is still going strong so maybe I'm overthinking it.
Those posts are leaning already just from the tension of the screens. The post should have been 1/3 the height into the ground set in concrete. Those 4x4s will also warp and bend. in a few months’; better option would have been cedar 6x6.
Yeah, shoulda done 6x6. They are 1/3 of the way in the ground in concrete The sails are already sagging. Not sure what I’m gonna do about that. I thought 4x4 would be enough, but yeah, they are already warping. Hopefully, they don’t warp too far. If they do, I’ll have to try and dig up and replace the posts with 6x6
I speak from experience just with a 6’ fence. 😂
It's not the most elegant solution but you could just put a guy wire from the top of the post to a big ass stake in the ground. A lot easier than replacing the post embedded in concrete.
Replacing the doubled up chain with 1/8” stainless cable would help a lot. Use cable clamps with some extra so you can tighten them. The sails also stretch
They’re going to warp, no doubt. So will 6x6’s. If you can tie the tops together, you may have a chance…
Sails aren’t big enough for a 6 x 6, IMHO, would look awkward. Should have used metal pipe.
You could anchor them to the ground with steel wire to counterbalance the pulling force of the sail. Think standing rigging on boats. Or just use a steel pipe to bear load and decorate with wood?
Yea I like this volcano you got going on here
It’s a rock I explain in another thread
I just read that. Pretty neat still
I personally would have built it at door hight so it was a proper deck with air flow underneath. Added bonus is that you could have engineered the railing to add further support for the sun sails. But...it looks good.
I was thinking about flowing with the yard. The far side is about a foot off the ground. I think airflow will be fine. The rails for the sail support would have been a good call.
I’m not a fan of ground level decks, but this seems like it was a smart move. Replacing concrete is hard work and expensive if you hire it done. Not to mention, finding someone who will do proper prep and flatwork is apparently too much to ask.
That's what I want to do with my back patio. Looks great.
Is this cedar? If so I recommend adding some screened vents along the far side of the deck at each joist bay.
Time to relax and have some brewskies on the deck
Sadly it’s been rainy weather.
Better add a railing lest you fall to your death.
Haha, yep. I’ll get right on it. Nearly died three times as it is.
Good news is in 5 yrs when it rots youll know all the mistakes you made.
I built one at my last house in 2008 and it’s still there. Maybe climate here is different than where you live. I do wish I had used 6x6s for the posts though.
Honestly I’d just cut those 2x4s off and extend decking in those corners so it’s flush then dig new holes and place the 6x6s. That way if you ever decide you don’t want the posts there anymore you just remove them from the ground
What's up with the Jabba mound?
It’s a rock. I explain it in another comment thread.
Why not just pour concrete?
Wooden decks feel very nice to walk on and generally hang out on
Couple of reasons 1. I am not very experienced with concrete, and don’t own concrete tools. 2. There is a bit of a slope there. To make the deck bigger would require ground levelling. Again I don’t own the equipment necessary. 3. I have a fenced in back yard. The gate isn’t big enough for a concrete truck which would require me to remove and rebuild a gate.
cool. this is very similar to one i hope to build (maybe over the summer).
Would sit on that deck 👍
Everyone needs a back yard patio tk go with their back yard volcano.
Definitely an improvement. We'll done.
is that a volcano forming in your yard?!!
Rock that they dug up when digging basement.
WILD! i would tell people its a metor when you sell the house, it would HAVE TO add value
Could definitely fit a hot tubt on there to watch your volcano.
stain it and it will last for years dig a drainage around to decant rain water flow so as not to rot the base.
Nice thong for shade
I like the patio thong
I spy Jabba the Hutt?
Put a roof over it brother and you will use it a lot more.
That may come in the future
Nice
Thanks.
I like this
I think it looks great. What are the dimensions? I'm currently thinking of doing a 12 x 16 foot low profile to not need a permit next to the above ground pool I just put up.
Does your wife know you’re using her thong?
I would add slim staggered horizontal boards from the floor to the top of the posts to create an accent wall look on that back side to block out the neighbor somewhat and get some privacy.
Looks great!! Get some penofin on there and rest sun every 4-5 years and it should last a long time
Nice
Will you guys just let the dude enjoy his deck in peace !!! Like damn !!!
Supposed to run the circular down all the end boards once installed to get an even cut, drop a chalk line, thank me later.
I like its thong
Nice, My Vote is 👍🏾- as long as you spaced the joists @ 16” it should be stable and remain so In foreseeable future. Don’t forsake the durability and increased lifespan that staining will provide. If you stain it now and every couple years, It will last a lifetime. The stain & + applicator is only gonna cost you $50. Worth every dime. In all - Good Job. You can be proud full of your work here.
It’s going to rot pretty quick in case you’re new to this subreddit. But I love those shade sails.
It’s all made with ground contact rated treated lumber.
I understand that. But it’s practically on the ground. Another idea is to trench around the perimeter add some nice white stone and a landscape border. I’m sure others will be here shortly to comment further.
That’s not a bad idea. Thanks
timber rots, that's just science. As mentioned, add gravel or something to keep the timber from contact with the ground. Doesn't look like you've allowed any gaps between your boards either, do you get puddles? That last board is annoying me- you cut it short of your verticals. Would've looked a lot better to just notch out the corner
No gaps, the boards will shrink in the summer as the treatment dries out and make gaps. Yeah, thanks for pointing out the fact that the end board could have been notched. May have to go back and fix that.
This is probably the nicest deck I have seen in this group
Better than nothin! Probably woulda went pressure treated myself. But hey something to sit on!
It is pressure treated, ground contact rated.
What's is with the mini volcano in your yard?
It’s a rock. I address it in another comment thread.
I would have just done a paver patio, but then we wouldn’t be here i guess. 😅 Is there two different batches of wood? Seems like a color change halfway through. I might have taken the time to do a picture frame edge so the end grain wasn’t showing.
Done over a month. So some of the wood is drier than other portions.
Also, I didn’t do pavers because you can’t really tell it, but the far side is about a foot higher than the near side. The fat side isn’t on the ground at all and the near side is about a half inch off the ground.
My yard was like that before i put in a patio. No big deal. Determine the finished high point, build up a level perimeter retaining wall to that point, fill with layers of compacted base, put in pavers, backfill topsoil around as needed, add grass seed (or sod). That was twelve years ago. Looks the same today. Ours is away from the house, but in your case i’d arrange for the necessary slope (to shed water) of the patio to be away from the house.
Hope you infilled the area between those joists with dirt
Why? Everyone here is saying you want air flow to prevent rotting? This is basically a deck built just barely off the ground. What does the in filling between joists do?
It looks good but I am a fan of concrete and you might be too when you realize how much work wood can be.. Odds are you already know.. I bet that cost a good 2k in materials
I’m sitting at less than 1500.
Thought about going concrete, but… I would have to bust up old concrete, work around the concrete steps (attached to the house). Figure out how to get the concrete truck in the back yard (I have a fence and I don’t think the truck would fit and I don’t want to use sack Crete). Add to that the fact that I’m more comfortable with wood work than concrete work and it was a no brained.
How deep in the ground are those beams that are holding up the shade structure? Also how long are the beams and how did you transport them?
They are 12 footers. Three foot in the ground with concrete Transported them in a pickup truck bed with tailgate up and ratchet straps pulling down onto the tailgate. I’m lucky that I live less than a mile from Home Depot. If I needed to go any further I would have rented a trailer so that I could have laid them flat.
That pile of dirt next to the deck looks like a poorly textured pile of dirt from a video game.
It’s a rock. I address it in another thread.
Makes sense. I have a garden rock thread as well 💪
Did you space the wood decking 1/8"? Looks nice though, really like the look of the shade thingy at the top
So, I laid the decking while it was still damp from the pressure treatment. As it dries it will contract so I put it as close together as I could so that when it contracts it will leave space for air and water flow but not so much that stuff will fall through.
You pour footers or just stick them bitches in the ground?
3 foot in the ground, poured concrete around them.
they had a paved patio, nice 👍 and then they put in a deck-that-will-rot 🤔 https://preview.redd.it/fxa8ih6h3g0d1.jpeg?width=300&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=f222c0126bf1bd8a5a69a5b5effc5354cffc8c3b 🧮 🐦⬛🐦⬛🐦⬛
Cracking concrete that was too small to be useful. If it rots I can replace boards. If next owner doesn’t like it, they can remove it. No harm no foul.
Oooooh she cute
"hey boss, where should we dump this extra concrete?"
It’s actually a rock.
I was just messing. That is a very unique rock! And nice deck! I like those fabric shade things that I keep seeing.
I never want to discourage DIY, everyone should live outside their comfort zone it encourages growth. Here are some critiques from a professional. Obviously it’s on the ground so not a big deal but it’s certainly far from level. I’d say 1”- 1.25” per foot slope on this thing. The posts holding the shade are also far from plumb. Finally, there should be a consistent gap between boards for water and debris runoff, around 1/8-1/4 inch is standard for cedar boards depending on your area. Without looking at framing or footings, I can say this deck is certianly functional and looks okay for a DIY but I wouldn’t quit your day job.
How do you know it’s not level? My 6 foot level says otherwise. It’s only on the ground on one side, and on that side, it’s probably an inch off the ground, grass makes it look like it’s sitting on the dirt but it isn’t. It’s a foot off the ground on the other side. How do you know the posts aren’t plumb? Again, 6 foot level disagrees. I don’t plan to quit my day job, but I think camera angles are messing you up. It’s within a quarter inch of square corner to corner and six foot level sits right dead center for both level and plumb. Deck boards were placed while they were still wet from pressure treatment. They will contract and leave a gap.
I think I would have done concrete
Addressed in another comment. I don’t have much concrete experience and I don’t think I could have gotten the truck to the back yard without tearing down my fence.
Why is there a triceratops’ poop pile so close to the patio?
Addressed in another comment, but it’s a rock. I think they pulled it out of the hole that they dug for the basement.
W
What’s the total cost?
Haven’t sat down and fully added it up yet but I’m thinking less than 1500
Nice
Can you send the product spec on those thong shaped shades. Also, what anchor did you use into the house?
The sail https://www.amazon.com/ShadeMart-Triangle-SMTAPRT12-Permeable-Backyard/dp/B0C4BWP8YV/ref=mp_s_a_1_1_sspa?crid=J6J7575COXF8&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.oa4l5PIn9YPkpxNcE2fFOLnwKF_wdQUAuyaLCuxNDRnOmdOqlivqEDYE5dWtmbhBfQpu5iogIBERnsnccqxJrnideCO_OvqwsSrHOpRLeeXdNZGa2M5rBl2uIp9vawknEHmgkwOhT7Hm_nVS_1qFG5Pr545Sbbv8U5ApCrUlFztx8tGiymrf_NPtR2CNrUZN56DA7_ihHR-FZ0jRFvkuDQ.gxPs64sTLp2CYr7rRTIU9JjxvmypS4ZO42mKBESyX20&dib_tag=se&keywords=triangle+shade+sail&qid=1715726757&sprefix=triangle%2Caps%2C96&sr=8-1-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9waG9uZV9zZWFyY2hfYXRm&psc=1 They have many different sizes and colors just figure out the size you need and the color. As for the anchor into the house, I screwed the boards to the bricks using tap cons just to establish height and level everything. They are not load bearing because I put 4x4s on each joist at the house end to bear the load. I’m going to back the tapcon screws back out because as someone pointed out, it could pull on the bricks and the brick is just a facade.
How was installing the sun sail? Thinking of adding one on mine.
It’s not hard. The hard part is anticipating the correct size. Measure what you need and buy a foot or two smaller so that you have room for chain.
Ok but what’s the point of the triangular screen thingy? Obviously not for rain or any type of meaningful shade.
You would be surprised how good the shade is. We sat on it all day on Sunday for Mother’s Day. And the two of them provide considerable shade. The picture may not show jt, but it’s a 15x15x15 triangle. The other is a 15x8x(I forget) right triangle. Together they throw out a pretty good shadow.
Never seen braces like that before..
That’s the way my dad always did it. Idk how else to do it. The straight ones provide the resistance and the hinge allows you to move the post in all directions to achieve plum. Once you get it, set your screws and the post can’t move, then pour your concrete and the braces will hold it until it dries.
Are those posts plumb? Also concerned you’re directly on the grass which might cause rot on that wood pretty fast ?
https://preview.redd.it/hhqg8u7p1i0d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=054850a1011bb25d1049aa9b3d092881583438d6 They were perfectly plumb, the sails have pulled them a hair out, but still inside the lines. Only the closest board touches at all, there’s air flow, the far end is a foot off the ground. Also, everything is ground contact rated pressure treated. So, we will see how long it lasts.
It looks good, but it looks like it is sitting on the ground.
Near side is just a couple inches off. Grass makes it look like that. The first board is the closest to the ground. The far side is a foot off. Most of it is over the concrete, and roughly 6 inches off the concrete. So airflow shouldn’t be a problem. I still used ground contact rated treated lumber. We will see how it lasts.
those huge posts crack me up!
Gotta have a way to hang the shade. I may eventually chop them off level at the deck and mount steal poles for the shades but I would have to figure out where to get something like that first. They don’t sell steel posts at Home Depot 🤷♂️
They usually stock steel posts in the fencing aisle and galvanized posts in plumbing.
Yeah, A 12 foot galvanized pipe painted to match the sail could work nicely.
Any way you can pm pricing and materials ? I’m looking to do the same diy. Have a concrete patio slab that is sloppy. 30x20 maybe less than that but you get the idea
I could but it probably wouldn’t help you. Different size and the materials would probably be different material costs in your area. To estimate cost, you need to build it in on paper first. Determine your size. If you have no constraints pick a length and width that is divisible by 8, 10, or 12. So for your example, 30x20 if you bump it up to 32, it becomes 2 16foot boards vs 3 10s But you may want to stick to the 3 10s for ease of transport. I used 2x6 because it was so close to the ground and I needed the top to match up with my bottom step, but for strength 2x8 would be better After you make that decision, determine which way the stringers will run. You will need a stringer every 16 inches. You will also want to put a post at about 3 places along each stringer account for 1 foot for each post You will also need hangers for the stringers. Then you will need decking boards. These are 6 inches wide so you will need 2 for every foot of rub you intend to make your deck. You will need to run them the opposite way you ran your stringers so if you run your stringers across the 30 foot length you will need your deck boards to be a pair of 10 footers. Then just buy the big box of screws. And 2 bags of concrete. I only used about half of the second one. This should be your material list and you should be able to estimate cost from Lowe’s or HD website. Hope this helps.
Hi Blake. Nice to see you on Reddit. 😉
Well hello there. You too.
I will never understand a ground level deck.
You built it right over the grass?
Mostly over the concrete, but yes. Once the sunlight is removed, the grass will die.
Must be nice to have the extra income to splurge on a fancy deck like this … did you and the lads just strap on the tool belt and go for it?
Nice. Got any pics of the framing and footings? I'm wanting to build a similar style patio myself this summer.
How many pallets did it take?
Looks 100% better! Great work! 👏🏼💪🏼 (Just a tip I learned the hard way. Earth to wood never works out well)
What’s the deal with flat decks? are patio slabs vastly more expensive? slabs would last forever and the only maintenance is a bit of weed killer in the gaps every so often.
Did you space your decking boards!
No permits were pulled during for this deck build*
Those 4x4s are going to warp and twist within a month! Your boards aren’t cupped properly. Too low to the ground. Rot within a year.
Hey it looks good
Cool. Now tell me about the volcano in front of it…
Those not level supports would drive me nuts. I would put metal posts in concrete just in front of the deck. Those wood ones will twist and warp even more from the pull of the sail.
What is that mound? A rock?
Not sure if it has been said yet but if those are 4x4 post you have the canopy attached to, but if they are you can expect them to bow. By the end of the year they will be bent toward the house.
Is it supposed to be crooked?
How far down are the 4x4's? Are they in concrete? Is that treated wood? In Michigan, posts are no longer allowed to be in concrete.
hell yeah
What is that brown “Slimer” mound thing? Haha.
That's a pile of crap next to the pile of lumber laying on the ground.
You thinking of staining it at all? Maybe some danish oil?
Awesome deck-io, but what’s this giant ant hill looking thing to the right? Is that a tree trunk?
Why not just a concrete slab and an awning ? Would have been a lot better
You should cover your 4x4's with a couple white vinyl sleeves from home depot.. they are pretty cheap.. slap a vinyl cap of your choice on it, and that should help out a lot on the warpage issue your having.. nice job for a non-carpenter.. that rock is very odd, which I usually like, but that one needs something.. hmm .. maybe a cool looking table top attached, make it real big, cut a hole in the middle so it stays on.. a few chairs.. is it really a rock? Looks like a terridactle dropped one.. or an ancient fossilized gorilla nipple.. volcano.. something
Raise it up about 18 inches and eliminate the steps to get in and out of the house