Backyard Decks: Build an Floating Deck (DIY)

Introduction

Built with composite decking and hidden fasteners, this maintenance-free backyard deck is designed to go together fast and to fit in anywhere in the yard, without footings or ledger boards.

The Floating Deck

The simplicity of this ground-level deck (or floating deck) makes it fast to build. With a helper and all the materials ready to go first thing in the morning, you can have a completed ground-level deck before sundown. If you add a step to your ground-level deck and use hidden deck fasteners as we did, you might need a few more hours to finish the job. Most decks are attached to houses, but there’s no reason they have to be. Sometimes the best spot to set up a deck chair and relax is at the other end of the yard, tucked into a shady corner of the garden. And if you don’t attach the deck to the house, you don’t need deep frost footings—which can save hours of backbreaking labor, especially in wooded or rocky areas where footings are difficult to dig. All you need are simple ground-level deck footings.

We designed this deck with simple construction in mind. If you can cut boards and drive screws, you can build it. The only power tools you’ll need are a circular saw and a drill, though a miter saw also helps. We used a premium grade of low-maintenance composite decking with hidden fasteners, which brought the total cost to over $2,000, but using standard treated decking and screws would cut the cost by more than half. You may need to special-order composite decking and hidden fasteners if you use the same types we did, but everything else is stocked at home centers or lumberyards.

A few cautions before figuring out how to build a ground-level deck: If all or part of the deck is higher than 30-in. off the ground, you’ll need a building permit and railings. If you intend to build any kind of structure on top of the deck or attach the deck to the house, you also need a permit. If you dig ground-level deck footings, call 811 first to check for underground utilities. Also, keep the deck at least 4-ft. back from the property line.

Family Handyman