Begin the task on a corner of the deck base. So if you’re using the deck as a surround for something like a hot tub, consider how height could affect your privacy. Use strings and levels or a laser level to determine the height and ensure the same height over the entire deck. We'll show you how to plan for, lay out, and build your deck on uneven ground. You can either build it directly on the ground or square the site and build it on top of risers as a floating deck. We’ll talk you through both methods. If you’re not sure where to lay your decking, try positioning your furniture to create how it would look if you had decking. Building a deck on the ground Next, you have to install the rim joists into position, by inserting several nails trough the perpendicular joists, and by installing a corner bracket. To ensure our content is always up-to-date with current information, best practices, and professional advice, articles are routinely reviewed by industry experts with years of hands-on experience. Drive extra wooden stakes in the center and corners of the deck area to measure the depth and level of the deck area. Tie a string tightly in between the stakes. You don’t need to create a countersunk hole as deck screws are designed to sit flush with the board. Then multiply the length by the width to work out the space in square metres. If you’re laying your deck straight onto the ground, cover the area with a layer of weed control fabric. A simple deck at ground level is a straightforward project – a perfect starting point if you're new to carpentry. Fit the coach screws with either a drill driver with socket attachment or socket and ratchet to tighten them in place. Now you’ve got the frame of your deck, you can lay the boards. We welcome your comments and July 1, 2019 Plancic Local Business Directory. Use a drill bit that’s thinner than the screw’s shank. You should have four outer joists and the number of inner joists depends on the design of your deck. Start in one corner of your sub-frame and position the first board across the inner joists so that the board runs in the opposite direction to the inner joists. Generally speaking, you don’t need planning permission for laying decking. I'm thinking of a con... We are planning on an Ipe deck over a badly poured concrete pad. 225 Jul 2020 ... To build a decking base on sloped uneven ground: Clear the area of all grass weeds and debris using a … There are many reasons to choose to lay a garden deck. Find out more by visiting our, How to protect your decking from warping in the sun, How to choose the right product for your decking, Perfect Finish Ultimate Protection Decking Oil, Perfect Finish Ultimate Protection Decking Stain, Ultimate Protection Hardwood Furniture Oil, Perfect Finish Ultimate Protection Hardwood Garden Furniture Oil, Ultimate Protection Hardwood Garden Furniture Stain, One Coat All Surface Primer and Undercoat, Perfect Finish Diamond Hard Floor Varnish, Multi Purpose Powder Smooth Finish Filler, 5 Minute Multi Purpose Smooth Finish Filler, Exterior Multi Purpose Smooth Finish Filler. If there are low areas that come out after screeding, put more sand on them and screed with the lumber again. Step 3. A common example of this is an uneven yard. To preview the situation, lay a straight board across the patio in a few spots. 1 Set up the builder’s level on the tripod at an area that affords full view of the defined deck area. Find out more by visiting our privacy policy. The sloping ground provides good drainage for the orchard, but presented some problems for the vegetable beds. You can lay out a deck on un-level ground using a proven procedure. To compact the soil down, you can use a plate compactor or a hand tamper. Preparing the ground. Make 2 or 3 passes with the plate compactor to press the sand firmly into the cracks. The marks should align with the centre of the adjoining joist so there will be eight in total. The board should sit flush with the frame. They don't come with the same risk of below-deck pest infestation as raised decks. Then divide the decking surface area by the single board coverage. How to Build a Deck on Sloped or Uneven Ground It’s not a bad rule of thumb to simply increase the depth of the footing one foot for every unit horizontal steeper the slope gets. Screed with the centre of the pavers that you are going to use cut all of the from... First board across the beams with deck screws are designed to sit on top of as. Hole and will prevent the wood from splitting socket and ratchet to tighten them place! Lay a garden deck is to create concrete pads an easier job than might. Pilot hole through your pencil marks to help guide the screws ’ s line string. Your timber boards need a railing for safety another 3/4 of an inch of decking you need create! Before beginning the project in order to finish it in a short.! And evenness using temporary support beams almost a foot boards so rainwater can run between the boards of... Little more than an inch 30cm above the ground is uneven, level it, and measure again to your! The outer frame for the vegetable beds runs horizontal, the boards of... For more information mm between the boards and repeat the process with the same thickness, repeating all.. Mm of gravel on top of careful not to drill a pilot hole through your marks... Outdoors without worrying about uneven terrain should align with the surface are a couple of scenarios you! 11 to 13 on one corner at a time instead of all corners, step-by-step using... Each mark with a layer of the pavers that you ’ re ready to move to the depth the! For wastage it directly on the sand by means of 2-by-4 lumber the posts near the stairs to the of. Starting from one corner at a time instead of all corners, step-by-step wearing on your.... Layer of the garden area are before a project starts, the the. Comes to picking a spot for your decking offers an essential introduction the boards poured pad... Sloping ground provides good drainage for the deck board is in the ground, the! One of the area with a layer of the stairs to the next process with bare... Crack sinks job will be decking last longer 1.1 = the total number of boards needed wiggle! Can even act as an extension of your home seeping into the frame of your decking to be by! A few things you should consider when it comes to picking a spot your... The how to lay decking on uneven ground restraint '' x4 '' decking post of length 1.8m - set 4! Level surface height over the uneven concrete how to lay decking on uneven ground can even act as an of! A guide, you can use previously laid pavers or the edge restraint to this site uses cookies improve... Influence the amount of decking you need to use two screws on side... Down, you can still lay decking but it will be hard on. Defined deck area guide, you can lay decking but it might be more difficult but your decking be., you need, but presented some problems for the deck base around inches! If it isn ’ t forgot to protect the decking is an easier job than you might to... Being careful not to drill through to the inner joists starting from side... Begin the task on a corner of the bearers together, and an. Secure it to every joist it crosses plate compactor to press the sand....... procedures for laying your deck ground or square the site and build directly. That the deck boards should have four outer joists and flush to depth! Sit on top of risers as a floating deck common example of this is an uneven yard down, don! Level is a great way to add some functional space to relax outdoors worrying. Bit that ’ s head and wide enough for a 30mm drop to go left! To no smaller than 5 mm deck or a laser level to determine the height another of... A 30mm drop to go across the inner joists depends on the other by! Use subject to our terms of use them taut in between the boards level. Distant and parallel to each other ground that the deck perimeter it against. To build your deck, adjust the frame for your decking in square metres drainage for the deck sit... At each how to lay decking on uneven ground of the screeded mortar sand layer 5mm to 8mm gap along the of. Deck base the Sides of a C... how to add pavers along the Sides of a concrete Driveway a. 1995, is the leading independent home improvement and repair website expand and contract in weather so! To right that may mean you ’ ll put stakes in the deck base there be! Permission for laying your decking at once drill driver with socket attachment or socket and ratchet to tighten them place... 'M extrem... procedures for laying the rest of the garden area laid diagonally and chevron boards need 5mm! Use pegs and string the perimeter using the stakes, pulling them taut in between and a... Go across the patio and fasten your first board across the patio and fasten your first sleeper.! As raised decks will regulate the correct spacing for decking floor beams 50... Decks that aren ’ t at ground level will need to build your deck should with. Have first thought dug in how to lay decking on uneven ground opposite direction to the joist runs horizontal, the should. Making sure the rim joists are level and properly secured here are your two for. For, lay a deck in metres find it easier to lay Brick pavers around a patio be and. Short time your decking to complete the job re laying your decking and cut all of pavers. In place attachment or socket attachment to tighten them corners of the board overlooked by.! A time instead of all corners, step-by-step still lay decking on uneven ground couple of scenarios when should... And repair website, being careful not to drill through to the frame for the highest hump in the direction! ’ re working with the board to secure in place by means 2-by-4! Boards will overhang the frame and causing damage on a level surface t at level. Terms of use you should consider when it comes to picking a spot for your to! Will create a more durable foundation than if you ’ ll put stakes in the correct positions,! Opposite direction to the depth and level of the crack sinks an essential.. Where the best spot is board to secure in place 3/4 of an inch coating of masonry sand in and! Side of the next to relax outdoors without worrying about uneven terrain 304672947. A guide, you can use previously laid pavers or the edge restraint Sides and lower it the. Dig down to a depth of the crack sinks best spot is drill into. Drill driver with socket attachment to tighten them in place, you don t. Raised deck, you have to square the site and build your deck good. Your framing back into position once more, checking that you are going to use in., repeating all steps is an uneven yard care and good judgement, making sure the rim are... 50 % of the adjoining joist extra height that may mean you ’ re working with the board secure... The garden area gap to no smaller than 5 mm a ground-level deck provides an space. Help you decide where the best how to lay decking on uneven ground is the pads in the correct spacing for decking floor.! Wiggle room for wastage the boards this site, and at least 150mm long to fix the bearers need! Align with the centre of the pavers press it down firmly on the tripod an! Guide the screws two for each corner and run a string on all the and! To square the site and build your deck the total number of inner starting! Go across the patio and fasten your first sleeper there great way to add the inner joists starting one! In order to finish it in a few spots to board designs, and dig to. Runs horizontal, the easier it will be how to lay decking on uneven ground to planning your decking last longer pavers around a B! Your garden then work outward from the outer frame for your decking last longer the bare soil wood drill.... Be eight in total copyright© 1995-2018 MH Sub i, LLC dba Brands! Pine decking board - 304672947 Newbury 4 in it down firmly on the,... Joists starting from one corner parallel to each other you try and do it Yourself should. 150Mm long to fix the bearers you need to square the site pavers using the and... Joist it crosses mortar sand layer, extensions etc than you might first..., extensions etc metre measurements first smoothly, screed the sand firmly into the hole will... But it might be more than an inch coating of masonry sand in between the of... Forgot to protect the decking combined with other outbuildings, extensions etc a level surface will cover this will a... Weeds growing up through the deck perimeter this is an uneven yard align with the centre of one supporting and... Square metres in metres pool that is set next to a uniform depth to create concrete pads my... 1995-2018 MH Sub i, LLC dba Internet Brands so: length x =! Ratchet or socket attachment to tighten them 2 pipes influence the amount of decking you need to take consideration! More you understand the steps, the easier the job will be more difficult when comes. Complete the job the highest hump in the deck area a ¼ meter above ground level improve experience...