Table of Contents
How far apart should deck blocks be for floating deck?
The blocks should be spaced to make a 7′ x 19′ rectangle, leaving about 6 inches from each block for deck boards to add another 8′ x 20′ rectangle. Using a string level or laser level, make sure each block is level.
Can I build a deck using deck blocks?
Deck blocks are never good for elevated decks, but for a ground-level deck, they may work. A general rule is any deck that is less than 24″ (600mm) in Canada or 30″ (760mm) in the States. But check your local building code. But with many low-level decks, deck blocks are a good idea.
What do you put under deck blocks?
Deck blocks should be installed on stable, non-organic material with good drainage. You can put gravel, sand, or limestone screening under a deck block. Deck blocks can also be set on poured concrete columns dug to below the frost level.
Can you build a deck on pier blocks?
Pier blocks make it easy to create a freestanding deck that is not connected to the home. The average do-it-yourself homeowner with minimal carpentry skills can easily create a good-looking, functional deck in a day’s work.
How many deck blocks do I need for a 12×12 deck?
Calculating Out How Many Deck Blocks for a Floating Deck Deck Dimension Square Feet of Deck Number of Deck Blocks 12″ x12″ Supporting 2000 lbs 8×8 64 4 8×10 80 4 10×10 100 4 10×12 120 6.
How many deck blocks do I need for a 10X12 shed?
Wood Shed Foundations Shed Size Number of Blocks 8X10 10 8X12 12 10X10 14 10X12 16.
Will deck blocks sink?
The deck blocks can sink if the soil under them erodes for some reason or the weight is unevenly distributed. That’s why it’s a good idea to use more than less. Especially in loose soils or wet conditions which requires more weight distribution.
Do deck blocks need to be buried?
Although they can be buried, and sometimes are, they’re really designed to rest on the ground and spare the builder from digging, although the ground may require some leveling first. One advantage of sitting on top of the ground is that deck blocks are unaffected by frost heaving.
How much weight can deck blocks hold?
Instead, calculating that the deck block is resting on clay, which can support 2,000 lbs (907 kg) per square foot of footing.A Stable Base Increases How Much a Weight Floating Deck Can Hold. Base Material Bearing Capacity per square foot Gravel, or Sandy gravel 5,000 lbs (2268 kg).
Can I use deck pier blocks instead of footings?
Pier blocks can be used instead of footings for a ground-level deck not requiring permits. Piers blocks can also be used if the frost level depth is less then the height of the pier block.
How much gravel do I need under deck block?
Using 3 to 4 inches of clean or washed 3/4″ gravel under deck; it is the best rock for under deck use. The deeper stone provides a deep enough layer to allow dust to settle through but keep seeds from rooting. The few that do take root should be easy to remove as there is no soil base.
Do deck blocks meet code?
Deck blocks are up to code, as they are a type of precast concrete foundations which are approved by building codes. However, local building code offices may not permit the use of deck blocks if the soil is prone to frost heaves, or there is a tendency for high or uplift winds.
How many footings do I need for a floating deck?
For an 8×10′ freestanding deck, you’ll need six footings. Unless you have access to a power auger, that’s a lot of digging. After digging each hole, you will need to install tube forms into each.
How much does it cost to build a 12×12 floating deck?
A 12 x12 deck can range in cost from $2 200 to $13 000, but the average will be $6 000. Costing $40 a square foot but can be as little as $15 or as high as $85, depending on the deck’s features.
Can I use cinder blocks for a shed foundation?
Any time you build a shed, it needs some sort of foundation to act as a buffer between the shed and the ground. An on-grade shed foundation made out of cinder blocks is a quick and easy foundation to construct. Made of concrete masonry units, or CMUs, this type of foundation usually takes very little work to set up.
What do you need to build a floating deck?
Materials Landscape fabric and gravel (optional) 9 4 x 8 x 16-inch concrete blocks. 3 1/2-inch and 2-inch or 2 1/2-inch deck screws. 10 Pressure-treated 2x8s (10 feet long) 2 Pressure-treated 2x8s (12 feet long) 22 Pressure-treated 5/4×6 or 2×6 decking boards (12 feet long).
How tall are deck blocks?
Here are your options: Precast concrete deck blocks are popular for building decks. Some are made with notches designed to hold standard-sized posts, beams and joists. Precast blocks available at home improvement centers are usually 12 inches square and 8 to 12 inches high.
Is a floating deck safe?
Yes, a floating deck is a good idea if the deck is low, not attached to the house or built close to trees. A floating deck will save you both time and money during construction. But a floating deck is a bad idea if the deck is tall or is attached to the house.
Can I build a deck without digging holes?
Yes. It’s possible to build a deck without digging holes. This type of deck is called a floating deck, and it sits right on top of the ground without any posts or support areas that you’d dig down into the ground [to secure].
Can I build a deck directly on the ground?
Yes, you can build a deck directly on the ground, but with some conditions. A deck on the ground must be built with ground-contact wood, and the substructure needs to be adapted for minimal height. Even though technically a ground level deck is elevated up to 24”, here we will discuss decks built less than 8” high.
