QA

Question: How To Build A Deck On Concrete Blocks

Can you put decking on blocks?

Position concrete blocks or paving slabs to support the decking framework. Place squares of bitumen membrane on top of the concrete blocks to prevent moisture soaking up into the decking.

How do you attach a deck to a block foundation?

The deck-to-block connection is done with a ledger board attached to the block using sleeve anchor bolts. The bolts have a special sleeve that expands inside the block when the head is tightened against the face of the ledger. Once you hang the ledger, joist hangers attach to the ledger for hanging the deck joists.

Can you build a deck on pier blocks?

Pier blocks make it easy to create a freestanding deck that is not connected to the home. The average do-it-yourself homeowner with minimal carpentry skills can easily create a good-looking, functional deck in a day’s work.

What do you put under deck blocks?

Deck blocks should be installed on stable, non-organic material with good drainage. You can put gravel, sand, or limestone screening under a deck block. Deck blocks can also be set on poured concrete columns dug to below the frost level.

Can you bury concrete deck blocks?

Although they can be buried, and sometimes are, they’re really designed to rest on the ground and spare the builder from digging, although the ground may require some leveling first. One advantage of sitting on top of the ground is that deck blocks are unaffected by frost heaving.

How far apart should deck blocks be?

Space the deck blocks at 4′ to 6′ intervals to offer the frame good support.

Can you attach a deck to concrete block?

Figure 1. In most cases, deck ledgers can be bolted directly to poured concrete or concrete block walls. Expansion anchors — never lead shields — are used in solid masonry or filled block, and approved epoxy or acrylic anchors and bolts are used in hollow masonry.

Can I attach my deck to a hollow block concrete foundation?

Yes, there are products available for anchoring a ledger board to hollow concrete block foundations (concrete masonry unit, CMU). Most builders prefer to build a freestanding deck rather than attach to a hollow concrete block house foundation wall.

How many deck blocks do I need for a 12×12 deck?

Calculating Out How Many Deck Blocks for a Floating Deck Deck Dimension Square Feet of Deck Number of Deck Blocks 12″ x12″ Supporting 2000 lbs 8×8 64 4 8×10 80 4 10×10 100 4 10×12 120 6.

How much weight can a concrete deck block hold?

All concrete blocks must support at least 1,700 pounds of weight per square inch according to standards published in 2003 by the international building standards non-profit. Minimum requirements are only described in the standard.

How high of a deck can you build with deck blocks?

Deck blocks are never good for elevated decks, but for a ground-level deck, they may work. A general rule is any deck that is less than 24″ (600mm) in Canada or 30″ (760mm) in the States.

Are concrete deck blocks good?

The blocks are preformed concrete units, as such, makes it easy and quick to construct decks. They make excellent foundations for small to medium decks when used correctly, as they have considerable load-bearing abilities. Deck blocks are great options for building a grade-level deck that requires no permits.

How do you space out deck blocks?

Set and Level Four Corners of Blocking Digging about 6 inches into the ground, create holes for the blocks so you can adjust (raise or lower) to make them even. The blocks should be spaced to make a 7′ x 19′ rectangle, leaving about 6 inches from each block for deck boards to add another 8′ x 20′ rectangle.

How many deck blocks do I need for a 10X10 shed?

Wood Shed Foundations Shed Size Number of Blocks 8X10 10 8X12 12 10X10 14 10X12 16.

Can I build a deck without digging holes?

Yes. It’s possible to build a deck without digging holes. This type of deck is called a floating deck, and it sits right on top of the ground without any posts or support areas that you’d dig down into the ground [to secure].

What material do I need for a 12×12 deck?

You will need 18 boards of 2-by-6-inch lumber or nine 2-by-10 inch boards to build the joists, also known as the beams. You should purchase an additional 25 percent wood to allow for framing pieces and waste.

How many footings do I need for a floating deck?

For an 8×10′ freestanding deck, you’ll need six footings. Unless you have access to a power auger, that’s a lot of digging. After digging each hole, you will need to install tube forms into each.

How do you attach a ledger board to a concrete block wall?

Use a wood bit to drill ½” pilot holes through the ledger board. Next, use a concrete bit to drill into the concrete wall. Install two bolts at the end of each ledger board. Hammer the sleeve anchor through the ledger board into the concrete wall.

How do you attach a cinder block wall?

7 Ways to Attach Things to Cinder Block Walls 01 of 07. Mounting Putty. Mounting putty is a sticky, clay-like material that comes in sticks or cubes. 02 of 07. Hardwall Hangers. 03 of 07. Hot Melt Glue. 04 of 07. Self-Adhesive Hooks. 05 of 07. Landscape Block Adhesive. 06 of 07. Concrete Screws. 07 of 07. Expansion Bolts.

How do I attach a ledger board to a cinder block wall?

Hold the ledger board in place on the cinder block. Line up the pilot holes in the board with those on the block. Beginning from one end drive one 2-1/2-inch Tapcon-style concrete screw through each pilot hole in the board and into the cinder block.

Can you install composite decking directly on concrete?

Yes. In most cases you can lay composite decking over concrete (keeping in mind you’ll have to build a substructure that allows airflow and drainage). In fact, concrete surfaces can provide a dry, durable, and stable area that’s essentially ideal for composite decking.

How do you attach floor joists to concrete blocks?

Set a block between joists in the center of the first two joists. Use wood the same dimension as the joist and cut each block individually to the dimension between joists. Then add a block between the next two joists offset from the first one. This allows you to nail through the joist into the block.