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Building a Deck
Anybody experienced with building a deck? In particular using those concrete blocks as a foundation for a "free floating" deck instead of digging and concreting post holes. I'm toying with the idea of building one myself and am intrigued with the idea of using deck blocks. However I also have a nagging thought in the back of my mind that they just make things too easy and cut the kind of engineering corners that would change a 240D into a Kia. Or am I wrong? Any thoughts on the subject would be appreciated.
- Peter.
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2021 Chevrolet Spark Formerly... 2000 GMC Sonoma 1981 240D 4spd stick. 347000 miles. Deceased Feb 14 2021 2002 Kia Rio. Worst crap on four wheels 1981 240D 4spd stick. 389000 miles. 1984 123 200 1979 116 280S 1972 Cadillac Sedan DeVille 1971 108 280S |
#2
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Deck construction
falls under your local building code. In mine, those blocks will not meet code for people-bearing structures. I have used them for supporting a lean-to roof off of my garden shed. Check your code.
I built my deck and found it an opportunity to exercise my latent creativity in terms of shape and layout. It was a satisfying experience. |
#3
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Quote:
Check your local building code
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1982 300SD " Wotan" ..On the road as of Jan 8, 2007 with Historic Tags |
#4
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Peter, those pre-formed blocks with securing straps are okay used as intermediate supports only. You still need to sink the corners and central points of the beams into the ground. Otherwise your "floating" deck becomes a "sliding" deck and will pull apart. You still need to slightly sink and compact the soil under the free standers. They're about as much work as digging and pouring the regular footers. They do have the advantage of being easily removed should you decide you don't want the deck.
I use the big cardboard tubes and a heavy metal saddle. The advantages to the tubes are; a: you know EXACTLY how much concrete to mix, b:they are round so it is easy to dig the holes using a post hole digger (yeah, yeah, I know, I'm old fashioned) and, c: they aren't that hard to pull out of the ground. "Building codes"? You sirrahs, are obviously not familiar with Arizona! I mean, we build houses out of mud bricks, chicken wire (galvanized of course, we aren't in the dark ages) and stucco. |
#5
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The last 'wood' deck I built had the fit and finish of fine cabinetry the day I was finished.
Six months later it looked as though I slapped it together using nothing other than a chainsaw for the cuts. Wood shrinkage, warping, cupping, checking... with exception of one area that was a different batch of lumber. $7K in materials and a ton of work is now an eyesore to me. And yes, I know how to choose heartwood and which side of the board goes up. Lumber is just crap now. Depending on your soil those blocks may work just fine. Sandy, rocky soils would be best. Expansive soils like clays would require piers. Good luck with the project. |
#6
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I used Redwood on my deck with wolmanized pine framing. We recently repaired a lot of the redwood that had gone away and the new material is not as good as it was 25 years ago. I probably would use some sort of plastic composite now with the treated framing.a
Sitting precast foundations on the top of the ground may be fine in AZ but would not work where there is freezing temps. We have to sink about 3 to 4' to reach stable levels for foundations here.
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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC] ..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis. |
#7
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Quote:
How big will the deck be? Is the location flat? grassy? How long do you want the deck to last? If you are building a relatively small, low deck, on firm soil, and use decent cross bracing, you could probably get away with using those blocks. If the deck is going to be more than a foot or two above ground, and require railings, then I would go for using a concrete caisson. Once you get involved with railings, the lateral force that is applied whenever someone leans on the railing is tremendous, and can make a free standing deck sway. In Phoenix, I would probably just sink the posts into the concrete, and avoid any silly metal standoffs.
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On some nights I still believe that a car with the fuel gauge on empty can run about fifty more miles if you have the right music very loud on the radio. - HST 1983 300SD - 305000 1984 Toyota Landcruiser - 190000 1994 GMC Jimmy - 203000 https://media.giphy.com/media/X3nnss8PAj5aU/giphy.gif |
#8
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Depends on your building code. Up here they are tough, I have to use 12x48 sonic tubes on all the posts, and joist hangers, tie down, than bolt it to the house. The posts also have to be bolted down to the sonic tubes.
Since FL gets nailed with hurricanes all the time, somehow we end up adopting their codes while FL ignores them.
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1999 SL500 1969 280SE 2023 Ram 1500 2007 Tiara 3200 |
#9
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People with big decks are admired.
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MB-less |
#10
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The area is about 8x16 at this point and completely flat. Size and exact design may change depending but it wont' be far off from that. The reason I'm doing this is because I want a deck I can sit on and look over the wall and see the golf course. Deck wouldn't touch the house at any point but it would be about three or four feet high depending on the hight I need to be sitting at to see over the wall. I'll deal with building codes when the time comes. My concern at this point is just wether or not these blocks really suffice for a foundation or if they are not suitable from the point of view of structural integrity.
- Peter.
__________________
2021 Chevrolet Spark Formerly... 2000 GMC Sonoma 1981 240D 4spd stick. 347000 miles. Deceased Feb 14 2021 2002 Kia Rio. Worst crap on four wheels 1981 240D 4spd stick. 389000 miles. 1984 123 200 1979 116 280S 1972 Cadillac Sedan DeVille 1971 108 280S |
#11
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Quote:
They really do not suffice for a foundation. Being 3~4' above ground will require putting in caissons. The cardboard sonotube is about as easy as anything else.
__________________
On some nights I still believe that a car with the fuel gauge on empty can run about fifty more miles if you have the right music very loud on the radio. - HST 1983 300SD - 305000 1984 Toyota Landcruiser - 190000 1994 GMC Jimmy - 203000 https://media.giphy.com/media/X3nnss8PAj5aU/giphy.gif |
#12
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I built a small deck a couple of years ago using the blocks. No problems so far but it's only about 10x10.
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1977 300d 70k--sold 08 1985 300TD 185k+ 1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03 1985 409d 65k--sold 06 1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car 1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11 1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper 1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4 1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13 |
#13
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Quote:
- Peter.
__________________
2021 Chevrolet Spark Formerly... 2000 GMC Sonoma 1981 240D 4spd stick. 347000 miles. Deceased Feb 14 2021 2002 Kia Rio. Worst crap on four wheels 1981 240D 4spd stick. 389000 miles. 1984 123 200 1979 116 280S 1972 Cadillac Sedan DeVille 1971 108 280S |
#14
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Quote:
- Peter.
__________________
2021 Chevrolet Spark Formerly... 2000 GMC Sonoma 1981 240D 4spd stick. 347000 miles. Deceased Feb 14 2021 2002 Kia Rio. Worst crap on four wheels 1981 240D 4spd stick. 389000 miles. 1984 123 200 1979 116 280S 1972 Cadillac Sedan DeVille 1971 108 280S |
#15
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Multi-level
Is the way I built mine to avoid having to look through a railing. Our code requires railings on any level higher than 18". I built on three step-down levels and can sit down and look out at the deer in the backyard eating my wife's garden.
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