Whether you’re looking to increase the value of your home or build a new deck, building a structure over concrete is not that difficult. Whether you lay the foundation for the deck directly on the concrete patio or pit it on top, how to build a deck over concrete is one of those landscaping projects you’ll be proud of. The most common materials to use are composite lumber, pressure-treated lumber and aluminum. The choice will depend on your budget and intended use.
Building a deck on concrete is by far the easiest option for a deck. It’s also the cheapest and quickest way to build a deck, allowing you to finish it in a weekend or less without hiring anyone.
How to build a deck over concrete patio
Building a deck over a concrete patio can be a great way to extend your home’s living space. If your house is on the small side, or if you have limited yard space, building a deck over the concrete patio can provide an extension of your backyard and an area for entertaining guests. You can build a ground level deck over concrete in just a few steps.
Step 1 – Lay Out Your Deck
The first step in building an elevated deck over concrete is to lay out where it will go. To determine where to place your new deck, draw lines on the ground from the corners of your home out towards where you want them to stop. These lines will act as guides for where you need to dig holes for supporting posts. Use these same lines when digging holes for post footings.
Step 2 – Dig Holes for Posts
Once you have determined where you want your posts, use a shovel or post hole digger to dig holes that are deep enough so that the post bottoms will be below frost level but above underground utilities such as electrical wires and gas pipes. If you hit any underground utilities while digging, call an electrician or plumber immediately – do not try to fix it yourself!
If you’re looking for an easy, inexpensive way to expand your living space, a ground level deck over concrete patio is the perfect choice. The project can be completed in just a few weekends, and offers some unique benefits.
The deck can be built over existing concrete patios or walkways to create a large, safe space to entertain friends and family. There are several designs available, from simple square or rectangular spaces with railings to more elaborate designs with curved edges or arches.
The key to building a ground level deck over concrete is making sure it is structurally sound before adding any other features. There are several ways to do this depending on what kind of support exists under the current surface. Here are some things you should consider when building your new deck:
How to Build a Ground Level Deck Over Concrete Patio
Building a ground level deck is a great way to extend your home’s living space. You can build this type of deck on concrete patios or slab-on-grade foundations.
This type of deck is best for:
Smaller homes. If you have an older home with a small yard, building a ground-level deck could be the perfect solution for adding more living space without taking up too much room in the yard.
People who don’t want to climb stairs. If your ground surface is sloped or uneven, you may not be able to walk up stairs and may prefer an alternative access method such as an elevator or ramp instead of stairs.
People who need extra storage space. A ground level deck has the advantage over an upper level deck because it doesn’t require any steps or ladders to access its contents; everything is at eye level and within reach!
The easiest way to build a deck over concrete is to use pressure-treated wood. If you’re building a ground-level deck, you can simply lay the boards on top of the concrete and fasten them into place.
If your deck is above the ground, you’ll need to attach boards directly to the concrete with lag bolts. This method will work, but it’s not advisable because water buildup could cause corrosion in the future. The best way to prevent this from happening is to create a flashing system that directs water away from the lag bolts and down toward the ground.
The first step is to make sure that your patio has been sealed with an acrylic sealer. You can buy this product at any home improvement store and apply it yourself by following the manufacturer’s instructions; however, hiring a professional contractor may be less expensive in the long run because they’ll likely do a better job than you can do yourself. Once the sealant has dried completely (usually 24 hours or so), clean off any residue with soap and water and allow everything to dry completely again before proceeding with your project.
I’ll assume you already have a concrete patio, and you want to add a second level of decking.
The most important thing to do is make sure your support posts are in the right place. You need to leave enough decking on each side of the center post so that the joists or beams can be attached to both sides of it. If you don’t leave enough room, you’ll end up with a cantilevered deck at some point in the future.
To figure out how much room you need on either side, take the width of your deck (in feet) and divide by 24 (the number of inches in a foot). That will give you the spacing between joists or beams, which should be no less than 4 inches on center for safety reasons.
Next, measure from the ground to where your top beam will go (including any overhang). Let’s say that distance is 8 feet; that means the ground level joist needs to be 10 feet long — 8 feet up from where it goes into the concrete pad plus 2 feet more so it spans between two posts).
To find out how far apart two posts should be placed, divide the total length of your ground level beam by 8 (since there are 8″
Building a deck over concrete is not that difficult. It’s just a matter of making sure your footings are in good shape and your joists are spaced correctly.
Depending on the size and weight of your deck, you might have to reinforce the concrete pad with steel beams. The beams will be installed before you pour the concrete for your deck foundation.
The best way to build a deck over concrete is to use pressure-treated lumber for the joists and stringers, since pressure-treated wood will last longer than regular wood in contact with soil or water.
How to Build a Ground Level Deck Over Concrete Patio
1 Measure the length and width of your concrete patio or walkway.
2 Mark where your joists will go on top of the concrete pad, then cut them to length with a circular saw or jigsaw. Use 2x4s for 16-inch centers, 2x6s for 24-inch centers or 2x8s for 32-inch centers (or whatever size joist you like). You can also use 2x6s on their sides rather than full height if you prefer a less bulky appearance; this is usually done when using T&G decking boards since they come in narrower widths than most
The first step in building a ground level deck over concrete is to remove the old patio. This can be done by hand with a pick and shovel or by renting an excavator.
Remove any stumps or large rocks, then dig out the soil to a depth of at least 24 inches. The soil should be replaced with crushed stone that is 4 inches deep. This will prevent grass from growing up through the joints between the boards of your deck.
Next, lay wooden forms for the perimeter of your deck around the perimeter of your patio area. Make sure you leave enough room for a railing if you plan on installing one later on. Use pieces of 2-by-4 lumber as spacers to keep the forms straight and evenly spaced apart from each other.
Once your forms are in place, set them aside and begin pouring concrete into them using a wheelbarrow or small cement mixer.
How to Build a Deck Over Concrete Patio
A concrete patio can be used as the foundation for a deck. The deck must be built over the patio so that it is level with the top of the concrete. You can build a deck over an existing concrete patio using basic carpentry skills and tools.
The first step in building a deck over concrete is to remove any plants or shrubs from the area around the patio. Then, remove all dirt from under the concrete slab, which will provide you with a smooth surface upon which you can build your deck.
Next, lay 4×4 posts into holes drilled into your concrete slab. Make sure you use treated wood for this project because treated wood resists rotting better than standard lumber. The posts should extend at least 6 inches above ground level when they are installed.
Once your posts are in place, attach joist hangers to each one of them at 16-inch intervals along their length. These joists are what will hold your deck boards in place; make sure they are spaced evenly apart so that no one board hangs lower than another board on your new structure.
Next, install joists across each piece of lumber using galvanized nails or screws through predrilled holes in each piece of lumber so
Building a deck over concrete is not that hard if you follow these steps:
1.Remove the old concrete patio and make sure that the ground is level.
2.Use a pry bar to remove the old patio and any dirt that has filled in around it.
3.Dig down at least 6″ below the surface level of the concrete slab, using a shovel or post hole digger for this purpose.
4.Pack some gravel into this area to create a level base for your decking material (about 1 shovelful per square foot of decking area).