How To Build A Suspended Deck Using Ipe which is a fast growing wood in the arborist business. It’s also called ironwood as it has a dense heavy texture that makes it look like solid metal. Why you want to learn how to build a suspended deck instead of stationary or on stilts? Well, there are many reasons such as less foot traffic and noise above your deck areas and the ability to add custom architectural elements that can’t be created with other types of decks since this type of suspended deck only uses support posts to keep it off the ground. Also, no need to worry about frost heave issues that have been an issue for homeowners in colder climates especially if your house isn’t situated on level ground and can cause damage to your home. We recommend engineered joists if you live in colder climates and follow standard building code requirements for size, height from bottom shelf supports and so forth as well as applying for permits where required prior to starting your project like most homeowners do.
Building a suspended deck is no easy feat. Suspended decks are meant to be as sturdy and durable as ground-level decks, but they also have to be well insulated, waterproof, and aesthetically appealing. Fortunately, there are several ways to make a strong and visually appealing deck without it eating up too much of your yard space. The method you choose should depend on how long you’d like the deck to last, how many people will be using it and the surrounding area’s humidity.
Building a suspended deck is a great way to create more space and privacy in your backyard, as well as increase the value of your home. However, it can be quite a large-scale project, so if you’re not very handy or you don’t have experience with DIY projects then make sure you get some help! Think about how much time and money will go into this project before committing to it. Here’s our step-by-step guide on how to build one without making any mistakes along the way.
Planning your deck:
Before you begin to build your deck, you’ll want to make some decisions about the design of your deck. Here’s what you need to know:
- Decide on the size of your deck. This will help determine how many materials are required and what kind of construction method is best suited for your space.
- Decide on the location of your deck. Where it’s going depends on factors like existing structures and trees in the area, as well as sun orientation and proximity to an outlet or power source (if necessary).
- Decide on the style of your deck. This includes things like material selection and railing design, plus any other details that might enhance its visual appeal (e.g., lighting).
- Decide on the materials you will use including lumber (for framing), railings (if applicable), hardware such as nails or screws and whether they’re pressure-treated if they’ll be exposed outdoors over time; also consider how much weight each piece can support before purchasing enough supplies so that no one gets hurt falling off onto something hard like concrete below them.
Building a solid base:
To build a solid base for your deck, you will need to check your local building codes and make sure that the ground is level or have a professional level it. Use a spirit level to check for levelness, or use a post-hole digger or post-hole auger if you have one.
Construction of the deck frame:
- Using a framing square, ensure your deck frame is square by measuring the diagonals and making sure they are equal. If not, adjust the angle of one side until they are equal and measure again.
- To make sure it’s level, use a level and check each board individually as you nail them in place (if you’re using a nail gun, it’ll be much easier to get an accurate measurement).
- Use your hammer or nail gun to secure all four corners of the deck frame together with at least 3 nails on each side—this will help prevent shifting when you start adding joists later on.
Deck joists and bearers:
Deck joists are the horizontal beams that support the decking boards. They are attached to the frame at both ends and supported in the middle by bearers.
The number of joists required depends on several factors, including deck size and span (the distance between supports). The span for each joist is determined by using a combination of tables in BS5268: Part 2 Code of Practice for Timber Decking & Ramps: Design and Construction, which specifies permissible spans for different timber species. For example, softwood decking typically has a maximum span of approximately 6m whereas hardwood has a maximum span of 8m.
For an 8m long softwood deck with a standard height of 1m above ground level (a typical height), three 1×6 pressure-treated joists would be sufficient since they have spans up to 6m each; however if you wanted to build your decking at 1.2 m high then you would need four 1×6s instead because this is above what can be achieved with just three pieces alone – remember that these calculations are approximate so always check them with your specific requirements beforehand.
A common mistake people make when calculating how many boards they need is by simply multiplying their total board width by how many feet long they want it – this isn’t correct since it doesn’t take into account where those joints will go between them (i didn’t include enough room!). So let’s take my previous example again – if I had decided on making my fence 3ft wide then I would have only needed about 30% more than half as many boards as originally thought.
Fitting and fixing the supporting posts:
- Fixing the posts to the frame
The first step is to attach the supporting posts to the deck framing. You’ll want to make sure they’re level before fixing them in place, so use a spirit level and check each post’s position in relation to where it meets another part of the framing. If you don’t have one handy, use a straight edge and pencil across all four sides of each post for reference when you go back and make sure everything’s square.
- Fixing the posts to the decking
Next, fix all of your top rails down onto their support posts with screws and/or nails. These should be spaced as evenly apart as possible (but not too close) so that there is room for any planks that may be cut shorter than others due to uneven ground levels or other factors outside of your control (like tree roots).
- Attaching steps
Attach stair treads into place once all rails have been fixed securely into their positions by drilling pilot holes through both treads and rails using an electric drill fitted with an appropriate sized bit (about 1/8″ larger than an ordinary screw thread). Do this before attaching handrails because they provide extra stability when standing on them while working with heavy materials such as glass panels which need careful handling at times during installation processes like fitting window frames etcetera.
Fixing the decking boards to the frame;
- Use a spirit level to check that the decking boards are level. You may need to cut some of the boards down to make them fit properly, so have a saw handy.
- Use a screwdriver to fix the boards in place. Make sure you use screws of the right size for your decking material and that you drill pilot holes first if necessary.
Be safe. Make sure you have all the right tools (and know how to use them) before starting any project.
While a suspended deck is a great way to expand your home, it can also be quite dangerous. Make sure you have all the right tools (and know how to use them) before starting any project. Safety is the most important thing when tackling this type of project, so be sure to wear your safety gear and get the proper equipment for working on high places.
Final words
This project may be daunting if you’ve never done anything like it before. But the good news is that with time and patience, you can build a great suspended deck using our step-by-step guide.
If you do get stuck along the way, remember to ask for help. There are plenty of experienced DIYers out there who would love to share their advice and expertise with others.
