DIY - Floating Deck

This post is sponsored by The Home Depot

From neglected patch to Summer oasis: This is our floating deck transformation.

Building a floating deck wasn't just a project; it was the catalyst that completely revitalized our backyard. 

Confession time: the state of our backyard over the past few years has been... well, embarrassing. It's hard to believe this disheveled corner was once a place of enjoyment. But overgrown with weeds and forgotten about, it became an eyesore we avoided.

Ha, not anymore; building a floating deck transformed our neglected backyard into a summer sanctuary we can't wait to relish every year. 

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THE STARTING POINT:

There was trouble from the very beginning. Nothing sat level in our slanted yard, so we leveled off a square section for our kids' playground. Fast-forward 12 years, and the once beautiful playground turned into the junkyard you saw in the picture above.

THE PLAN:

Our simple plan to transform this space was to build a floating deck on the square-level area, adding a privacy screen on one side and railings on the most elevated parts.

At first, we wanted to cover the entire leveled area, wood, and everything, but after taking measurements and trying to keep the cost down, we decided to go with a 16' x 16' floating deck.

The Home Depot was definitely our best friend for this project. I'm beyond thankful for their invitation to the Style Challenge Series, which set me in high gear to tackle this big project.

I went to our local Home Depot store with my plan in hand, and Cesar, one friendly and knowledgeable associate, gave me the list and ordered all the materials I needed for this project. Two days later, the materials arrived home.

Initially, I thought about building this floating deck all by myself, but after looking at all the lumber in our front yard, I knew that handling those 2 x 10 x 16's and 4 x 4 x 8's was way more than what my petite 5'3' frame could handle! My brother-in-law was the person who helped me the most all throughout this project, I couldn't have done it without him.

Next, I'll give you the details of how this project went for me in hopes that it will help you if you ever decide to build your own floating deck. 

Main Materials Used:

• 15 - 2 x 8 x 16 Pressure-treated lumber
• 4 - 2 x 10 x 16 Pressure-treated lumber (Two of them used for the flower box)
• 12 - Concrete deck blocks (only used 8)
• 39 - 16' Trex Enhance Beach Dune deck boards (three boards used to cover the top of the old retaining wall and to give the illusion of a step.)
• 6 - 1 x 8 x 12 Trex Enhance Beach Dune Fascia 
• 10 - 4 x 4 x 8 Pressure-treated lumber
• 15 - 2 x 4 x 8 Pressure-treated lumber
• 80 - Pressure treated balusters
•   5 - 5/4 x 6 x 8 Pressure treated lumber
•   6 - Post caps
• 44 - Simpson Strong-tie joist hangers

Our first step was to clean the area and level it some more.

Then, following the plan, we set the concrete deck blocks—12 of them — in their designated spaces.

The entire area was then covered with landscape fabric because the last thing I wanted to deal with was those pesky weeds.

 

A two-inch layer of gravel was the next step to ensure nothing would grow there. 

On the second day of work and after inspection, we were told that the back, main wooden retaining wall needed to be stronger.

It was not safe for us to use deck blocks on that back line. Instead, we had to set concrete buried post footings. 

We didn't escape from digging; it had to be done down into the ground below the retaining wall.

The exterior frame was made with 2 x 8 x 16 pressure-treated lumber attached to the 4 x 4s in each concrete deck block.

Using galvanized ½" x 8" carriage bolts.

 

We used longer 4 x 4s on the exterior back parts of the deck since they would become the railing posts.  

We created a strong center support perpendicular to the joists, with 2 x 10s mounted onto the buried concrete blocks to maintain the level line.

Once the exterior frame was done, we squared it off by measuring it from corner to corner and pushing or pulling the frame until both measurements were the same.

The next step was to measure and install the joists. We did it every 16 inches on center.

Driving two- 2½" Deckmate screws from the outside of the exterior frame and into each end of the joists.

We installed the joist hangers to keep the joists solid and secure. It was one of my favorite jobs because I used a palm nailer. There's nothing like using the proper tools to speed up a job!

Installing the decking material was next. I went for a carefree material: Trex.

It was costly, but I will see its value throughout the years with the minimum or no maintenance required.  

I settled for the Beach Dune color, one of the colors my local Home Depot had in stock.

I love the Trex Hideaway hidden fasteners for attaching the boards to the joists. No visible screws and perfectly spaced boards.

My initial plan to install a privacy screen or wall on the back left side of the deck was canceled after one of my neighbors filed a complaint about the height of our structure.

Construction was put on hold until this issue, and some unwelcome snow was out of the way.

Two weeks later, I got news from the homeowners association denying me the building of a structure that could pass the top line of the fence, which meant no wall. 

After all the wooden posts were cut off, we went to plan B: Installing a simple railing around the highest parts of the deck.

Pressure-treated 2 x 4s and balusters were the main components of these railings. 

I used my Ryobi Air Strike nailer and spacers for an easy install.

But then, I reinforced the connections with screws.

The final details were to add post caps and complete the railing around each post.

Trex fascia boards were added around the deck's perimeter, and a flower box was installed on the side of the deck to cover up the gap the elevation created.

That little area on the right-hand side is still a bit too high for a comfortable step, so I placed those planters right there.

The old wooden retaining wall was stained, trying to match the color of the decking.

All in all, we spent three full weekends working on this project.

It was time and money well spent because this space has become the favorite spot in the house to hang out now that the weather is so lovely!

This floating deck has really transformed our backyard!

For the Patio Style Challenge Reveal HERE

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Potting Bench Makeover

The Home Depot is partnering with me to participate in this Patio Style Challenge (the "Program"). As a part of the Program, I am receiving compensation in the form of products and services, for the purpose of promoting The Home Depot. All expressed opinions and experiences are my own words. My post complies with the Word Of Mouth Marketing Association (WOMMA) Ethics Code and applicable Federal Trade Commission guidelines. 

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