Pallets are the perfect material for building a deck. They’re free, readily available, and work with many different kinds of building structures. Although pallets are not strong enough to build a permanent structure out of, they are sturdy enough to serve as a foundation on which to place pressure-treated lumber or composite boards. Build a platform deck with pallets instead of lumber to save money, reuse materials and keep waste to a minimum. Building a platform deck allows you to create a space for outdoor entertaining that won’t leave you with large pieces of wood waste when finishing the job.
If you’re looking to save money on your next deck or patio, then consider using pallets! Pallets can easily be found for free on Craigslist or by businesses that receive regular shipments of merchandise. They make great building materials because they’re sturdy and cheap. But if you don’t know how to build a platform deck out of pallets yourself, it’s hard to know where to begin. Fear not! We’ll walk you through the entire process from start to finish in this how-to guide.
Once you’ve built your platform deck out of pallets, you can use it as a base for a larger project. Some people build outdoor furniture on top of their platform decks, while others use them as bases for freestanding sheds or homes. However you choose to use yours, we hope this guide was helpful and will spark more great ideas in the future! Thank you for visiting How To Build A Platform Deck Out Of Pallets.
Gather up your supplies.
Once you have your supplies, you can begin the project. First, gather up all the tools and materials that you’ll need for this task. Make sure to gather up:
- Pallets
- Hinges (some pallets will come with hinges attached)
- Decking wood (the boards that make up the surface of the deck)
- A saw and drill with a screwdriver bit attachment on it (you’ll want this so that you can use screws instead of nails)
Cut the pallets down to size.
This is the fun part! Using a circular saw, carefully cut your pallets to the size you want. Make sure that you cut all of your pallets to the same size so that they will fit together correctly. Also, make sure that your pallets are cut at the same distance in from each other and also at the same distance from the ground.
Stack the pallets in a square shape.
This is the step where you’re going to be putting your platform deck together.
First, decide how big you want your deck to be. Make sure that it won’t take up too much space in your yard and that it will work with whatever else you have going on there (like any other deck or patio). Next, stack eight pallets horizontally on top of each other until they form a square shape. If necessary, use some scrap wood (or even more pallets) under the top layer so that the whole thing isn’t too wobbly or unstable on its feet! You may have heard this advice before: “Measure twice; cut once.” This is especially true for this part as well as any other step during construction because mistakes here can lead directly into disaster later down the line when building materials are being used outside rather than inside an enclosed structure like a garage or workshop where mistakes are easier corrected without risking injury from falling debris like pallet boards flying around freely underfoot.
Position the pallets on top of each other to create the platform.
To create a platform deck out of pallets, position the pallets on top of each other to create a square shape. If you have more than one pallet, it’s best to stack them in an alternating pattern (one black, then one white) so that your deck appears as uniform as possible. Smooth out the edges of your deck with sand paper or a sander if necessary.
Attach decking wood to cover the top and bottom of your hinges and handles using construction adhesive or nails. This will prevent water from pooling on these areas and causing mold growth inside them over time
Screw in the hinges and handles.
Screw in the hinges and handles.
For this project, we used a cordless drill to screw in the hinges and handles. You may want to use a power bit if you plan on using screws longer than 2 inches. We needed to use our corded drill because we had large wood screws that were 5 inches long (that’s 1 cm). You can also use a screwdriver bit or screw gun if you have one of those tools on hand.
Attach decking wood to cover the top and bottom of the hinges and handles.
- Using a nail gun, attach decking wood to cover the top and bottom of the hinges and handles.
- Cut a length of decking wood for each hinge and handle.
- Attach the decking wood pieces in an alternating fashion on top of the pallet’s pre-existing side rails with nails, keeping them flush with one another. You can use screws if you prefer to avoid splitting any fibers in your pallets’ sides as you nail them all together into place; just make sure you have enough room for all your screws when attaching this way!
- Make sure it’s even! If something doesn’t look right, maybe move everything around until it does.
Smooth out the edges of your deck with sand paper or a sander.
In order to make your deck look like it came from a professional, you need to smooth out the edges. This can be done with sandpaper or a sander. If you don’t have access to these tools, try using a belt sander, palm sander or power sander.
If you are using sandpaper:
- Start by laying down a piece of plywood that is larger than your pallet because you will be using this as your work surface. Then take some fine grit sandpaper and start smoothing out one side at a time until they are all even with each other. Once they are smooth enough for your liking, go over them again with medium grit paper and then once more with course grit paper.
Stain or paint your deck and seal it against weather damage.
- Stain or paint your deck and seal it against weather damage.
- Use a stain or paint that is designed for outdoor use and apply it with a brush or roller, letting the product dry for at least 24 hours before sealing.
Building a platform deck out of pallets is a good way to save money and reuse materials, but you’ll need to do some measuring and staining as part of the project
You’ll want to measure for your decking. Measure the length and width of the area where you need to build the platform deck, then add about a foot on either side for good measure. You can use these measurements to determine how many pallets are needed for your space, or if you want an overhang.
You’ll also need to stain and seal your new platform deck once it’s built. The type of stain and sealant you choose will depend on what look you’re going for and what kind of weather conditions will affect the area where it is located (for example, if there tends to be a lot of rain in that area). Staining with paint is another option, but this may not last as long as some other options.
If possible, we recommend having someone who has experience with staining work on this project because it can get messy quickly. But if no one in your family has stained before or if no one has time available during construction time frame; don’t worry. There are plenty ways around having someone professional do everything: just make sure whatever method works best suits everyone involved before starting any project.
Final words
Once you have your platform deck constructed, you can paint or stain it to match the appearance of your home. Don’t forget to treat the wood with a sealant as well, so that moisture won’t cause warping or other damage. Be sure to take any leftover supplies with you when you’re done! If there are still some pallets left over, then try building another DIY project like this one.
