Decking question - building straight onto concrete base

valve90210

valve90210

valve90210

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17 Jan 2006
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Hi All

In the coming months I intend to build some decking at the end of my garden. At present there is a concrete base in place that the previous owners made (installed, poured, put down...or whatever the correct term would be) which is great except it is very ugly...

One side of the base is shaped round a raised planter made from old sleepers which I would like to keep in place as it is rather nice and I think will work quite nicely sort of spilling over to the decking once we have some plants in it.

Now, the planter is not hugely high which limits the height of the deck, though to be honest I also wouldn't want a high deck as my little boy (16 months) would most likely fall off it continuously!!!

I know most decks are made up of an exterior frame raised on posts with suspended joists hung between the frame however, my plan is to use 4x2 to make the frame which will be the outer frame and the joists all in one and be laid straight onto the concrete base rather than having any posts to rasie it at all as this way the height will fit in nicely with the planter and the height I want the deck.

I've tried googling for such a setup but most websites only tend to have info about constructing raised decks with post and suspended joists.

Would my plan be ok or are there any problems with doing it this way?
 
Google for Patio Style Decking, Low Level Decking or Patio Decking.

Keep it below 300mm height, as since 1st October 2008, planning permission is now required where a deck platform is more than 300mm (1ft) from the ground.
 
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I built my decking over a sound but uneven concrete base.

I'll post some photos later this evening to give you a few ideas.

It's slightly raised off of the concrete. Some of the deck is "freestanding" on stumpy legs. Some areas I used 4" posts and punched holes through the concrete and set the posts in post-crete.

It was quite a lot of work but enjoyable and has made a huge difference to the garden.
 
I've done a load of googling and still not really found an answer. I guess the main concern is drainage?

May be a bit of peace of mind I could add small 10mm raisers at points just to bring the framework slightly off the ground so air can get round?

Tesla said:
I built my decking over a sound but uneven concrete base.

I'll post some photos later this evening to give you a few ideas.

It's slightly raised off of the concrete. Some of the deck is "freestanding" on stumpy legs. Some areas I used 4" posts and punched holes through the concrete and set the posts in post-crete.

It was quite a lot of work but enjoyable and has made a huge difference to the garden.
Click to expand...

Cheers, would be good to see some pics.

I'd like to have the whole deck 'freestanding' which I believe will be fine as the weight of the deck will hold it in place (from what I've read!!)
 
They look great, will need a fair few (looks like they need to be used every 400mm or so?) but I'f I've read it right you adjust themby turning the 'bolt' part which would make it pretty simple for getting the deck level (well, level but allowing a slight slope for drainage)
 
Yes just set the ends and wind up the intermediates till they bite.

Make sure you put a decent fall on it otherwise you'll be on your butt come autumn with the algae and or ice.
 
Haven't forgotten to post, my NAS isn't connected at the moment so cannot access the pics. Will sort it over the weekend.
 
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Cost around £1500 in materials but is around 35 square metres. Also paid a timber yard £100 to make up and supply 18 pressure treated strings for the steps from my MDF template. All timber is treated and any exposed cuts painted with creosote.

Initially I just used some small timber scraps as legs in order to get my levels in. I then used joist off cuts as legs and bolted all the pay through. Stainless bolts, washers and nylon nuts. I probably went a bit OTT so good luck to whoever decides to rip it out one day!

First time I've built a deck but did really enjoy it. Planning to move house this year so may get to build another soon.
 
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Am I being silly, or could you have kept it all the same height so there's no need for the cut out for the shed door to open? Because it looks great, and could look a bit better?
 
I think theres a raised concrete step by the shed door, that would stop everything being the same level.
 
I myself would have trimmed a few inches off the door, or rehung the door on the right to open inwards, to enable me to have deck all at same level.

Concrete step doesn't present a problem, fairly easy to overcome.
 
Composite Decking brilliant stuff, some have hollow cores, others are solid core,various finishes available,some come with a 25 year warranty.
That Ecodeck looks very good, especially as it's available in a 6mtr length & up to 9mtrs with a 10% surcharge, now that is sensible.

I like the composite decking by 'Fiberon' it's a solid core, & uses clever clips for fixing, seen a lot of it used on 'This Old House'.
 
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