I have a friend who wants me to build a “deck” outsider her back door; the door sill is very low to the ground (5″ off ground). I would like to install the 6’X 16′ deck without digging up the whole area under it. If I use 2×4 joists under the 5/4 deck boards, will the whole thing twist over time? I realize the joists are undersized.
The deck will sit on cement pavers on the ground. One solution I came up with for potential twisting would be to drive stakes into the ground at various intervals and then tie them into the framing. Is this whole thing silly and should I just start digging to accommodate bigger joists?
Thanks for opinionating……Ellis
Replies
Why a deck and not a brick or other type of paver patio? I hate the maintenance issues that decks always have. A properly installed pation would be much preferred to me.
2x4 joists will work if they are fully supported for their entire length. But the deck will be twisty. Better to dig channels for taller joists. The problem is going to be that there will be greatly reduced air circulation under the deck, which will promote rot. Can you convince her to step up to a higher deck? maybe one step outside the door at floor level, then step up a bit.
"Put your creed in your deed." Emerson
"When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it." T. Roosevelt
I concur with your concern about rot. But.. I built one with 6" joists jammed to the ground (with lots of posts). No rot to speak of yet. Built in '82 with wolm.
MikeInsert initially amusing but ultimately annoying catch phrase here.
Back in my teens, I worked at a pallet mill. I made my own 42x48 white oak pallets and layed them over my concrete patio.
Shimmed and screwed together it worked slick.
1x6 deck boards over 2x4 runners. All short lumber allowed selecting straight and it stayed that way.
Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations
"If Brains was lard, you couldn't grease much of a pan"
Jed Clampitt
View Image
Why is this topic in the photo gallery?
~ Ted W ~
Cheap Tools! - MyToolbox.net
Meet me at House & Builder!
Likely because I have no idea what I'm doing as far as posting goes. ....
Now Brother Ellis will have to post a pic of the deck when finished,
and a hearty Breaktime Welcome to Ellis.
May his post tally grow long.
Look out, Rez, you're gonna get banned again.
You said May his tally grow long. Snck.
Greg
Why is this topic in the photo gallery?
Because. And if you don't know, obviously you're not part of the "in crowd.""Put your creed in your deed." Emerson
"When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it." T. Roosevelt
I just finished tying a deck addition to another level of deck for my mom.
I used 4x4 posts and dug out where the posts lay on one side the other was about 10"' off the ground.I made sure to give the water a place to drain and put plastic down to speed up drying potential.
The reason I went with posts for joists is they are treated for in ground use and less likely to warp when tied into decking.
ANDYSZ2
WHY DO I HAVE TO EXPLAIN TO FRIENDS AND FAMILY THAT BEING A SOLE PROPRIETOR IS A REAL JOB?
REMODELER/PUNCHOUT SPECIALIST
Here are some pictures.
WHY DO I HAVE TO EXPLAIN TO FRIENDS AND FAMILY THAT BEING A SOLE PROPRIETOR IS A REAL JOB?
REMODELER/PUNCHOUT SPECIALIST
man, I kinda like that.
Nice end cut with the head shape.
Those are arabian horse heads.
ANDYSZ2WHY DO I HAVE TO EXPLAIN TO FRIENDS AND FAMILY THAT BEING A SOLE PROPRIETOR IS A REAL JOB?
REMODELER/PUNCHOUT SPECIALIST
Nice job Andy.....but you should really pull the stickers off the end of those bench boards. Those plastic ones will be there for 20 years...By the way, whats the deal with calling her "momx" - you got a "momY" and a "momZ" you don't want her confused with?! :^)-t
That's better. I was about to contribute some deck photos myself, to help prevent any cofnusion.
Hmmm.. now I forgot what the question was.
EDIT: Okay, looked back at original post. I'd say, if it's on a slope up to the door stoop, start digging. 2x4s laying on pavers, the pavers are going to push into the ground, you'll end up with basically a pallet sitting on the ground. I'd dig down at lease 1' and put posts to hold everything up off the ground. Then frame it out with adequately sized joists.
If the ground is basically flat, you'd end up digging a hole. In that case I'd suggest going with a paved patio instead.
~ Ted W ~
Cheap Tools! - MyToolbox.netMeet me at House & Builder!
Edited 4/30/2009 5:00 pm by Ted W.
Finished or near finished as it may be.WHY DO I HAVE TO EXPLAIN TO FRIENDS AND FAMILY THAT BEING A SOLE PROPRIETOR IS A REAL JOB?
REMODELER/PUNCHOUT SPECIALIST
Are you near the ocean?
If you are doing this I would go see if I could find a marine contractor supply who will sell you real CCA at .8 or higher (up to 2.5). That will last a long time in the dirt. Then deck over with plastic decking. It should last for 30 years or more.
Years ago I put in a deck that was built on treated 2x4s lying flat or "sleepers" with a 100 percent recycled plastic 5/4 x 6 x 18 board decking. It has not twisted at all nor had any other problems.
The height differential to the top of the patio door was about 2.5 inches (less than yours). I had the advantage of being able to partially anchor the sleepers to an existing aggregate concrete base which only covered 8 feet of a 18-foot wide deck area.
Had a client in a big rush to create something like a deck for a backyard wedding reception. She had already formed planter boxes with untreated lumber (2X12's). I added a few stringers and decked it over with screwed down redwood 2X4's.
Lasted 15 years. The rain and snow that melted went through the deck but would get dammed up behind the 2X12's. I put some plastic down and drilled some drain holes (1") but I think with no circulation it was worse.
Last year she wanted to replace the whole thing. I dug holes for Sonotubes (deep but not below freeze). In your case I wouldn't just lay lumber on pavers--you can do the Sonotubes (cut them short to start) and use those for support. Even if you have to use undersized joists (my client was wanting to sell and knew a loan inspector would be coming--then the bottom dropped out of housing) use plenty of them and closely spaced.
I like the brick or concrete patio idea but either way you have to dig and compact some soil/aggregate. Around Colorado that little step would result in the door being covered by drifted snow. You still need to slant those bricks/concrete away from the door. I even had a client with a downspout right where the slab had to go so I troweled out a groove to carry the water (they didn't want to walk over a downspout extension).
three trenches the long length of the deck about 12" deep by 12" wide...
site the trenches so that one is centered to the deck and the other two are slightly in from the edges...
line said trench with barrier cloth....
fill the trench with #4 gravel...
lay .6 rated 4x6 timbers on top of the gravel so that the 6" side is up...
stake the timbers with 5 bar at about 24 to 32" OC...
add the deck to yur liking...
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming
WOW!!! What a Ride!
Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
ya done yet and where are our pictures???
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming
WOW!!! What a Ride!
Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!