How to build low-level deck over pavers?

[otnimus1]

Hi community,

I am inspired by @MitchellMc 's post How to build a deck and want to do some improvement on my backyard. Photo of current state is below. 

To get me started, I have few questions:

• Can I build it on top of the pavers or I have to remove the pavers?
• Would it be okay to build the deck to the same height as the room (where I marked in the photo)
• From the post How to build a deck, it doesn't seem that I need to put posts cemented to the ground. In other words, it seems the deck frame can be just sit on the ground. Is that correct?

Thank you very much for your feedback. I am not a handy person but am keen to give this a go.

[EricL]

Hello @otnimus1 

Yes, you can build over the pavers and there is no need to remove it. As to the deck height this will be the critical part, there must be enough room for air to circulate under the low-level deck. If you can tell us about the maximum height from the paving floor to the top of the brick, we'll be able to tell you if there is enough space for the low-level deck. Yes, you can build a floating deck, and it does not need to be anchored to the ground.

My best advice is to draw your decking frame plan on paper first and share it with the community along with any questions you might have about the build.

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric

[otnimus1]

Hi @EricL thank you for your response.

The height is 15cm. Wonder if that's enough. If not, what are my options?

Is there free easy to use app that I can use to draw the plan?

Cheers

[MitchellMc]

Hi @otnimus1,

That would be a very tight build. You need 19mm for the decking, 90mm for the joists and then an air gap underneath. Currently, that would leave you with 40mm underneath the frame. That's doable, but you should know that having a minimal gap under the frame could lead to the early onset of decay. Removing the pavers would allow additional room.

Regarding a planner, check out our online Deck Planner.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell

[otnimus1]

Hi @MitchellMc,

If I remove the pavers, that will make the ground lower than the yard or the surrounding. Won't that give issues with water will be polling into the area?

If decay is the only concern, is there any decking material that is not wood-based that might be more resistant to decay?

Thank you for the link to the Deck Planner.

[otnimus1]

Would I be able to make the deck higher than the room floor but not connected to it so that water won't come in? And then do some kind of setup to bridge the higher deck and the room. Thinking out loud here.

[JacobZ]

Hi @otnimus1,

You can lower the risk of decay by using H4 Treated 90 x 45mm as opposed to H3, which is often used for decks. The higher treatment class allows for its use in proximity and direct contact with the ground. 

If you remove the pavers, yes, the ground will end up lower than the surrounding yard, and water can pool in that area unless you create a way for it to drain. The most reliable method is to install a French drain like the one shown in How to install garden drainage. A french drain system collects water and moves it away from the space before it can sit under the deck. The pipe must run to a suitable outlet, such as a stormwater point or a lower part of the yard, so water does not return to the deck area.

If there is a gap between the deck and the house, water shouldn't come in as a result, but it would create an awkward step up that's not particularly desirable.

Your deck is still doable with the 150mm of height, but you may need to use H4 framing and install additional drainage.

Let me know what you think.

Jacob