How to build a ground level deck?

MPick

Hi,

I am planning to build a ground level deck that is 11.6m x 4.8m. The overall height needs to be around 350mm, which may mean I cannot use bearers and I need to support the joists directly with posts.

I am looking to use 200mm x 45mm joists fixed with joist hangers with 600mm centers and 140mm x 32mm pine decking.

Can you offer any advice in how to set this out and what additional considerations there are.

I want to sit 2 x cabins at 900kg per cabin on each end of the deck.

Thanks

JacobZ

Hi @MPick ,

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. It is wonderful to have you with us.

Unfortunately, for a deck of this size, and particularly because you are planning to place two 900kg cabins on top of it, I think you are getting beyond the point where we could responsibly recommend a framing layout or footing arrangement based on general D.I.Y. advice.

There are a number of things that would need to be considered, including the loads imposed by the cabins, the span and spacing of the joists, the number and positioning of supports, footing sizes, soil conditions and how the cabins transfer their weight into the deck structure. The deck may also need to account for concentrated loads from the cabin supports rather than simply their overall weight.

I'd suggest speaking with a suitably qualified builder, structural engineer or building designer who can assess the proposed deck and cabins together and provide an appropriate structural design.

Once you have a structural layout to work from, we'd certainly be happy to assist with the practical side of the build, such as suitable treated timber, fixings, joist hangers and decking products.

Jacob