How to Build a Deck Placed on the Ground

Decide on a location for your ground-level deck. The location should be level and have excellent drainage.

Clear away any debris on the ground where the deck will be.

Spread out the landscape fabric evenly on the ground in the deck location. Secure the fabric with landscape pins spaced at 8-inch intervals.

Cut three 20-inch long pieces of 6-by-3/4-inch pine and three of 1 1/4-by-1 1/4-inch pine, utilizing the vice, The narrow pieces are support boards. The wider pieces are the top boards.

Set the six pieces on top of some scrap wood and paint both sides using an exterior wood stain in the color of your choice. Allow the stain to dry completely.

Lay the three top pieces on a flat surface horizontal to each other.

Place one of the support pieces vertically on top of the top pieces along the far right edge. Adjust the horizontal top pieces so that the space between each is even along the length of the support piece.

Mark and drill countersink holes. There should be two holes through the support piece for each top piece it touches, for a total of six holes. Repeat this for the other two support pieces.

Screw one side support piece to the top pieces using 2 1/2-inch screws. Be sure that the corners are square. Screw the opposite side support piece to the top pieces in the same manner. Measure and make a mark in the center of the top pieces. Screw the middle support piece to the top pieces using this mark as a guide. You now have a square made from three horizontal top pieces and three vertical support pieces.

Turn the deck piece over for the finished square.

Make as many deck squares as you need to cover the desired decking area. Put the finished deck squares on the landscape fabric in an alternating pattern.