How to Build a Deck on the Ground Against the House

Decks extend the living space outside, creating an ideal area for entertaining and relaxing. How a deck is built varies depending on the type of deck and how the deck will be used. Although most decks are similar in appearance, they are constructed using different techniques. Ground-level decks use various materials; the building time varies between 16 and 24 hours and requires an advanced skill level.

Batter board
Mason's strings
Posthole digger
Footings
Tube forms
Double 2x6 beams
Bags of ready-mix concrete
Post anchors
2x6 rim joints
Angle brackets
2/6 joists
Joists hangers
Chalk line
Circular saw
Protective gear

Instructions

- 1
  Lay out footing locations for the ground deck with batter boards and mason's strings. For a deck that is 8 feet wide by 10 feet long, use a posthole digger to dig six holes for 8-inch diameter footings. Each hole should be about 12 inches deep. Use tube forms to level the footings approximately 1 inch above the ground level.
- 2
  Mix six 60-pound bags of ready-mix concrete in a wheelbarrow. Pour the concrete in the footing and let it cure for 48 hours, than attach 4x4 post anchors. Use a straight board to align the anchors. Use diagonal measurements to check square on the anchor positions.
- 3
  Make beams using double 2x6 boards, which are 3 inches thick and 3.5 inches wide. Attach them in the post anchors. Install a half-inch-thick pressure-treated shim between the beams, as well as on one side of each anchor.
- 4
  Use 2x6 rim joists to attach the end of the beams. In addition, you may also use angle brackets for additional support for the corner joints.
- 5
  Use 2x6 joists to attach the beam faces with the joist hangers.
- 6
  Align the first length of decking to the deck edge and hammer two fasteners through the board into the center of each of the joists. The fasteners should be positioned three-quarters to 1 inch from the edge of the board.
- 7
  Trim the decking to length using a circular saw to line up with the edges.

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