How to build a deck over pavers?

diyhobbynewbie

Hello there gentlemen and women,

I am planning to build a deck (prefer not to have to dig holes and install posts unless absolutely needed) in our backyard and was browsing for ideas on YouTube and got a bit confident. I want to learn how to calculate the posts/if posts are not required and if I can install decking directly on the pavers as per the attached diagram.

The length of the deck will be 5.7 meters

Breadth of the deck will be 5 meters

Height between the pavers and the door/step is around 12 cm.

I am attaching a photo with measurements for reference in case I confused you with my long question :).

One more question, I saw some videos where there was a wooden plate installed/drilled into the wall, I think it is called waving plate, is that absolute mandatory?

I am planning to install leger boards across the perimeter and then joists running perpendicular to the house and installing decking boards perpendicularly (happy to take experts/fresh ideas if this is not a good idea)

EricL

Hello @diyhobbynewbie

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. It's sensational to have you join us, and thanks for sharing your question about your decking project.

I suggest having a quick look at these guides - How to build a low-level deck by @Adam_W and How to build a deck by @MitchellMc. These guides will give you ideas on how to plan your decking frame. Since you have a space of 120mm using 90x45 timber framing and standard 19mm decking panels means that you have a decking gap of 11mm. This is on the condition you're building a single level deck. In regards to the wooden plate being installed onto your house, I recommend building your decking frame as free standing so that you don't have to drill holes in your brick wall.

since the gap under your deck is so small it will be necessary to remove some of the pavers to make way for either a timber post or a Builders Edge 35 - 60mm Smallfoot Pedestal Feet in combination with a low-level paver.

I also suggest having a look at this featured project - Low-level composite deck over concrete and soil by @oninpena. It's an excellent example of how you can build a free standing single level decking frame. I also recommend reading this guide - How to understand deck span tables by @JacobZ. This will give you a better understanding of where the posts need to be located.

I also suggest having a look at the Bunnings deck building guide:

If you have any other questions we can help with, please let us know.

Eric