How To Build A Raised Deck Over Grass

A deck over grass will require relatively little maintenance, because you won’t have to water it or mow it. However, you can still get some extra space for the deck by using plants and landscaping features around the edges of the deck that will compliment its design.

The first step to building a raised deck over grass is to not build anything. Before you start digging into the ground, there are several things you should consider.

To ensure your deck is built correctly and safely, it’s important to check with your city’s building department and follow their guidelines for construction. In most jurisdictions, this means obtaining a permit from the city prior to beginning work on any project involving construction. It may also be necessary for you to obtain an occupancy permit if you plan on using the finished product right away (instead of waiting until all work is complete). You can check with an inspector before getting started or when you’re ready to begin construction so they know what type of structure they’ll need to inspect later on in order for everything else around them not get damaged by water runoff or excess weight as well as other potential hazards such as falling over due do soil erosion caused by wind/rainfall.

Determine your deck’s dimensions

Before you start construction, it’s important to sit down and determine the size of your deck. When designing a deck, keep in mind that it will be used by many people (including children) so it must be big enough for everyone to comfortably sit or stand on. You should also consider how much room there needs to be between the edge of the deck and where grass meets soil if there are any plants growing below ground level around your home—this is called “ground clearance.” Ground clearance requirements vary depending on what type of plant life is being protected from damage from foot traffic as well as weather conditions such as snowfall and heavy rainfalls that could cause flooding at ground level; therefore you may need more or less space between these surfaces when planning out this part of your project plan.

Once you’ve figured out how large your new raised decking area needs to be for good functionality purposes within its intended purpose (i.e., sitting/eating meals together under sunlit skies), then go ahead and calculate how much material would need replacing each year due if wood was used instead; this number will help determine how much money needs spending on materials upfront before construction begins.

Check the level of ground

Before you begin to build your deck, it’s important that you check the level of ground. You’ll want to find the highest point and lowest point on your property, so that you can get a more accurate reading of where to place the foundation. If possible, use a laser level to determine these measurements and mark them with stakes or flags in order to keep track of where they are later on.

Once you’ve found these two points, measure out how far apart they are from each other; these will be the outer edges for where your deck will go (it should be flush against those points). Then consider any obstacles such as trees or fences; if there’s anything like this around where your deck will be located then make sure there’s enough room for them! And don’t forget about any structures that might already exist nearby—if there are sheds or garages nearby then take into account how much room they take up before deciding where everything else should go.

Calculate how much gravel you will need

To calculate the amount of gravel you will need for your deck, first determine the total area that needs to be covered. For example, if you want a 4’x4’ deck and have a grassy area that extends 3 feet beyond it, then your total area would be 12 square feet (4’ x 4’ + 3” = 12 sq ft).

Next, take into account any additional features or requirements for your project. If your decking will extend over part of an existing patio or walkway and you want to keep a consistent pattern throughout the entire surface area of your new structure, simply add up how much space those areas take up and apply it toward the total amount needed.

So let’s say we wanted to build a 6′ wide raised platform with stairs leading down from it on all sides so that we could access our backyard off our main level living room floor without having to go downstairs every time we wanted some fresh air! We would then need approximately 40 square feet worth of gravel (6′ x 5′) in order – which would require around 50 bags at 75 pounds each! To make things even easier on ourselves during these cold months when digging may be difficult due too frozen ground conditions: buy pre-mixed concrete mix instead which comes ready-to-go with just water added before pouring onto site; this way we won’t waste valuable time mixing together different materials manually either since everything has already been done beforehand.

How to install the support posts

Support posts are the key to a solid deck. They should be spaced at least 6 feet apart, and should be at least 6 inches in diameter. They should be set at least 4 inches into the ground and at least 6 inches below the frost line.

How to lay out the gravel base

Before you can begin laying down the gravel base, you’ll need to level out the ground. Use a laser level to ensure that it’s as level as possible. If there are any small bumps, use a spirit level to check for them and make sure they’re evened out with a shovel.

For example:
Use a laser level to ensure that the ground is as level as possible. If there are any small bumps, use a spirit level to check for them and make sure they’re evened out with a shovel.

How to level the gravel base

Before you start the process of pouring concrete, it’s important to ensure that the ground is level. Otherwise, you could end up with a slanted deck floor. A spirit level and line level are used to measure whether something is flat or if it has an incline or decline.

A laser level is another useful tool for leveling out your base; these devices emit a beam of light that shows you whether an object is straight or crooked. However, because lasers need to be held at eye level and aimed at an object on the ground (like a foundation), they’re not practical for large areas like basements.

Lay out the perimeter joists

Now that you have the posts in place, it’s time to lay out the joists. You’ll use a framing square to ensure they’re square and mark them with chalk lines. Level spacers and framing levels help ensure that they’re level as well.

A power miter saw is helpful when cutting the joists, but an electric drill will work just fine for installing them since there aren’t many fasteners needed for this project.

Attach the perimeter joists

Attach the perimeter joists to the posts with galvanized nails or screws.
Use a framing square to make sure the joists are perpendicular to the posts.
Make sure that your decking boards will be level with each other, using a framing square as a guide.
Use the same method when attaching joists for non-perimeter support beams and cross beams

Install and secure stringers between the posts, then attach rim joists

To install and secure the stringers between your posts, use a spirit level to ensure that each stringer is level. Mark on the top of each post where you will be drilling pilot holes for securing the rim joist’s wood screws or nails. Use a hammer drill to drill pilot holes into the upper ends of your deck posts (approximately 1/2″ deep). Securely fasten each stringer to its corresponding post by driving galvanized wood screws through each pilot hole and into both pieces of lumber. Repeat this process with all four stringers, ensuring they’re positioned evenly between each pair of posts before proceeding onward with attaching them together at their ends as described below in Step 5: Install Rim Joists.

Once all four stringers are attached securely to their respective posts, flip yours upside down so that its underside is facing upwards (you may want someone else around at this point!). Install galvanized 12d nails or screws along lengthwise seams where two adjacent stringer boards butt up against one another; use galvanized 16d nails or screws instead if using 2×10″ decking boards instead – these larger sizes require more secure fastening than standard 6″ ones do because they have less surface area for holding onto when nailing/screwing them down.

Next attach three spline boards per side overtop any gaps between rim joists using long strips made from 1x4s ripped apart into smaller pieces so that you don’t have any exposed edges left behind after working your way around; see our How To Build A Raised Deck Over Grass article for more details on this process if necessary.

Cut and install the deck flooring boards with galvanized wood screws or nails

Use a circular saw to cut the boards to length. The front edge of each board will be at an angle equal to the pitch of your roof, so when you hold a board up against the bottom of your deck railing and measure its length, allow room for this slope.
With a nail gun, attach flooring boards along one side of your raised deck base. Place galvanized wood screws in every other joist to secure each board in place. Drive them until they are flush with the surface of the decking material so that there is no gap between it and either piece of framing lumber (see above).
Repeat this process on opposite side from step 1 above until all four sides are covered by flooring pieces laid flat across beams spaced evenly apart from one another at roughly 2 inches apart vertically up top where they meet railings; however if using 4x8s then leave gaps equal length widths between two pieces installed thus far today’s date should fall sometime within next 3 months’ timeframe before starting next sentence (or 5) …

Add finishing touches to your elevated deck over grass, such as custom stairs, railings or benches.

Add finishing touches to your elevated deck over grass, such as custom steps and railings. Add patio furniture for entertaining.

You can also add any of the following features:

A fire pit for warmth and ambiance.
A grill for cooking.
Propane patio heaters and outdoor fireplaces if you have a gas line nearby that you can tap into easily without having to run a new line yourself or have it installed professionally by an electrician or plumber (hard).
An outdoor TV for entertainment with wireless speakers connected through WiFi or Bluetooth so that anyone who wants to can listen in on whatever is playing on it from their devices (easy).

Building a raised deck on uneven ground is not for beginners, but with some hard work it can be done.

Building a raised deck on uneven ground is not for beginners, but with some hard work it can be done. A raised deck is an excellent way to expand your living space and add outdoor living space without making any interior changes. It’s also a great place to entertain guests in the backyard or just hang out with your family on warm summer evenings.

To build a raised deck over grass, you need at least one helper because of the heavy lifting involved. The most important thing to do before starting this project is to draw up a plan so that you know where everything will go before starting construction. If you are building over grass, make sure your site has been graded so that there are no large steps or slopes around the perimeter of your house or garage (which could cause water runoff).