Easiest Deck That You Can Build by Yourself (No Permits, No Railing, & No Nonsense) - One Weekend
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- Опубліковано 5 лют 2025
- 🧰 TOOLS & Materials Used For This Project🛠
Bison Level Up Deck System: amzn.to/4fnnusP
Cost Breakdown: atimprovements...
Torpedo Level: amzn.to/4flBO5p
6' Level: amzn.to/3BV6tIm
Hidden Fasteners:amzn.to/4hnqaJ8
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This past weekend I built this 14'x14' Ground Level "Floating Deck" using the Bison Level Up Adjustable Deck Pedestal System and I am pretty dang happy with how it turned out. Here is how to Build a floating Deck (tools and materials linked at the end): :
1. Site Preparation
First, mark the layout for you deck usign some stakes and a string line. After marking the layout, I recommend that you excavate down 1 or 2 inches and apply a gravel based to facilitate compaction. However, you can also build your ground level deck on compacted soil, an existing patio or slab, etc. I rented both mini skidsteer and a plate compactor for this proeject to save myself some manual labor. After excavating, compact the soil with the plate compactor, place 2" of #57 stone, and then compact the stone.
2. Placing the Adjustable Deck Pedestals
After compacting the stone and giving yourself a firm foundaiton to build off of, assemble the Bison Level Up Adjustable Deck Pedestals by following the manufacturer's recommendations. Place them 16" O.C. on both ends of the deck and make sure that they are perfectly level by adjusting the slope leveler. After confirming that each pedestal is level usign a torpedo level, use a 6' level to adjust all of the pedestals to the same height. To do this, you simply need to rotate the adjustable pedestal support. Once all of the deck pedestals are in place, you can begin the joist installation.
3. Installing the Deck Joists
Using pressure treated lumber (typically 2"x6", 2"x8", 2"x10", or 2"x12"), cut you joists to length and "Crown" each of the boards to make sure the crown is up. Next, place the joists on the deck pedestals, making sure they are centered on the pedestal on both sides. Then, simply attach the joists to the pedestals using the folding straps and screws. For the outer-most joists, you will need to use framing angle hardware since the joists on the end will not be directly supported by a deck pedestal.
4. Installing the Rim Joists and Skirting Board (if needed)
Once all the joists are in place, attach the Rim Joist to end of the Joists by using a bar clamp to hold it in place. Use three screws to secure the rim joist to each deck joist. If the back side of your Rim joist is obstructed (like mine was by my house), you will need to attach it using framing angles. Lastly, if you have a gap below your joists / rim joist, it is recommended that you include a bit of "skirting" reinforcement as shown in the video.
5. Installing the Decking Boards
With the deck fully framed, you can install the decking boards. For my deck, I used composite decking with hidden fasteners that go in between each board - but you can use any type of decking you want!
6. Fascia Board and Final Touches
For my deck Fascia, I used a peice of composite decking around the top of the perimeter. I mitered the corners and butt joints for a cleaner look. For the bottom, I used PVC fascia trim that painted black.
Overall, I think the deck turned out great and it was super nice to not have to dig out concrete footers.
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Thank you so much for watching!
*All content on the Andrew Thron Improvements UA-cam channel reflects my own opinions. Please seek out guidance of professionally trained and licensed individuals before making any decisions. Links in the description may be affiliate links.
#BisonLevelUp #diydeck #adjustabledecksupport #outdoordecking #floatingdeck
I crunched the numbers while watching the football game this evening and the Cost Breakdown is linked here: atimprovements.com/easiest-way-to-build-a-ground-level-deck-bison-level-up-adjustable-pedestal-system-step-by-step-guide/
Any guesses on the cost before you check (hint: composite decking aint cheap 😅)
$5000?
Just looked at breakdown. Not bad! :) Could bring it down a little bit more by doing more of the manual labor, but still way less than I thought.
Who's your team? 🤔
@AndrewThronImprovements, needing to move?! You and I both do! I love your porch overhang! It's insane to me that some people have nothing better to do than be nosy when someone is minding their own business, doing something on their own property which is not intruding onto anyone else's property.... I'm not the "Carpenter" but if I understand the issue when you mentioned the skirting and having to try to hold one side up by yourself, I suppose the simplest thing is, you could hold the opposite end into place then partially drive in a screw beneath it to allow the skirt to rest on it, whilst you then butt the other end into place and then anchor it.
Otherwise, it may be more trouble than it's worth but you could make a weighted "J" clamp where a longer piece would rest on top of the deck whilst the "hook" portion would craddle the piece of skirting. You could lay a weight on top of it to keep it from sliding away from the joist thereby dropping the skirt.... Anyway, the deck looks great! I didn't know about those slope pedastals, very convenient. This is what I'd consider a "floating deck" since it's not anchored with posts down into the ground etc. I wonder how it will do over time with natural soil erosion.
First time viewer of your channel. Andrew, Please tell me how did you deal with government authorities (HOA or city or county) when someone reported you and the legal ☭ mafia is after you?
It's very personal & important for me for many reasons.
Lol The "I think I got reported" part is why I hate living in HOA's. HOA = your home is never 100% "your home". More like 99.2% yours, and 0.8% theirs. Great video btw, provides great project starting insight for minimal decking.
nicely done! I've been planning to do a 20x18 ground level deck this coming March 2025. I was originally going to use tough blocks until about 2 months ago I came across the Bison Level Up system. You were the first legit DIY'er I've seen to use them!
Appreciate it! I haven’t used the tough blocks, but all things equal, the adjustable pedestals probably allow for less prep work / leveling. Let me know which system you end up going with!
Very nice job. I did my deck, but I didn't use the weather tape, and I used 2x4's for the top boards. I had a permit for the patio I did, and since I used a lot of excessed wood from it. I didn't see a need for it. However, when I added a pergola above it. I had some nosey neighbors report me to the HOA. Then I had to get the permits. Never going to buy another home with HOA required. They Suck!
For the fascia doing it by yourself…strike a chalk line on the bottom of your row and put a screw in on one end to hold up the board so you can get your miter set
You should have put a moisture barrier on the side that butts up against the house. You put the tape on top, but that won't prevent water from seeping down the side and getting trapped behind that board.
wow, I have a son who is in a wheel chair and when I saw your video, this will make it easier for me, Il live in a town home and this would be soo easy for me, do the leveling pods ship to Canada , thanks
You should put some vents in the skirting so you get crossflow of air under the deck. This will make the joists last longer. Also blocking in the middle of the deck would have removed any possble bouncyness from the deck. The purpose of blocking is so all the joists share the load.
Good Idea! There is a bit of play betwen the fascia and the ground, but a vent or two would definitely help.
I agree. I would have put one row of blocking in the middle.
There are gaps between the deck boards so I’d say that’s a decent enough for ventilation, but I do agree on having blocking at the center
How did you know that I'm in the process of tearing out this 40 year old deck, and planning a new one?!?!? Your timing is always impeccable for my needs. ❤❤
Haha I’m glad the timing is impeccable! I’ve got some “unique” projects coming up though so I think the streak may end. But who knows!
“the decks about 14 feet and I gotta move” cracked me up. 😂
Haha it was like the third police siren in like 10 minutes!
lol your funny bro thanks for making me laugh and teaching me something too 😂😂🙌🏻🙌🏻
11:30 if you don’t have a second set of hands and will be covering it anyway, you can just screw a scrap board into the 2x10 to rest the skirt board on.
Nice work that 3:4:5 method,is called a Pythagorean triple. Personally I would have done a picture frame on the decking it only takes 1 more 2x8, 10 w/e, I can't stand seeing the cuts,but teto.
Looks great but before I you put the deck boards I would double checked the level up of footings incase their were any movement when you installed the joists, seeing how you didn't do traditional method of a foundation, I would think their would be ever so slight movement as you progressed, not to mention the whole area would settle a bit. Defiantly a one man but more the marrier. I like reminds me of when my father me did a brick and mortar deck with a Arbor over it. no inspection back then, but it was fun to do
I usually paint my wood with at waterbase 500 with sprayer, it will make wood last way longer. Use it on fences too
Awesome work. It looks great!
Thank you! I appreciate it!
Great job and loved the video 😘👍🏻💕💕🙏🏻🙏🏻
I appreciate it! Thanks for the support.
Incredible job 👍
Man that was Awesome ... ive build a lot of decks and Loved this one ...
Install some steps from the other deck ...
And what about support underneath the middle of the new one
Nice work. I binged watched your videos for the past 3-4 hours. Obviously I’m not doing anything myself but your doing great work. One question. If you ever decide to extend your house from the back then you would have to destroy the deck?
Amazing job and all by yourself! Just wow. I definitely learned something today. Thank you for this. How long was the whole process?
Yep I did myself a little deck I used those concrete foot thingies ran a run of 2x4s across those then did the frame trusting or whatever you call it two by fours going perpendicular to that and then put the topping on and the top plates or whatever you call for garnish. Dang thing is sturdy and it's a temporary structure. It's not attached to the house so it's got that going for it
Turned out great!
Appreciate it, John!
🌴🌴🌴 Hi 👋🏼 Andrew
I’m not a contractor and have no need to improve the property that I live on. But I really appreciate what you do and how you film and edit everything. Blessings from Paso Robles California, Carlos
By the way, great project! 👀
I would put 2 more rows of blocking evenly spaced between joists and used more composite deck trim boards for the skirting on the higher deck.
Wow that is amazing new subscriber here 👍
Well done
For working alone on the side skirting--or any similar job--just tack a 1 x 2 ledger where the bottom of the skirting will go. EZ PZ!
Why didn't you install a weed mesh between the dirt & crushed stone? Also, why didn't you spray a weed killer on over the dirt before you spread the rock?
You should have built a set of stairs alongside the house that went from the higher deck, to the lower deck so both were accessible at the same time!
This is awesome, I wanna learn how to make stuff like you someday
Apprecaite it! This is a pretty good starter project 👀
Great vid. Good job. But what composite decking specs at 50 years??? I’ve seen big name composite fail in much less closer to what the manufacturers spec longevity.
I like your videos I’m learning a lot
Hi .
I enjoyed the video ! Thanks.
Impressive!❤
Are you going to put stairs to the upper deck area to connect the spaces? Looks good!
I wonder if you could use these levelers between a concrete base and the deck? The ground will still settle over the years.
When you talk about renting things in your videos, can you also mention how much per day you rented it for? For example "I rented this equipment from ABC for $XYZ a day".
Also as I posted this I just noticed you included the cost breakdown. But saying it in the video would be nice I think anyway. Love your stuff!
Dang nosy neighbors......sold Kayaks and fishing tackle for years from my home......I have my business license but one ignorant PR in my area complained...now I have to rent a space for $650 monthly.....love to smack the PR....really impressed with the leveling brackets, makes building a deck a lot easier,, I could have used them 20 years ago when I built decks and fences 👍👍🇨🇦
I got really lucky in a place I once lived. I did not have one nosy neighbor. I had at least a dozen of them. Not one of them were afraid to offer their opinions either. I was once in the military for many years and one of those busy-bodies knew that - this fact is important. At the time was sharing my home with my sister and also involved in a LDR. I went away for a couple weeks with my significant other and while away our house became surrounded by fully geared national guard and police SWAT teams.
I was living in California at the time and this was during the Christopher Dorner manhunt. Apparently, he was reportedly seen passing thru my neighborhood... Hence, the massive assault team response. As they were literally outside my house, my sister was the first to speak with them. As she spoke with the SWAT Lieutenant, they got around to talking about the nosy neighbors. To which, the Lt said he had a great idea how to solve that problem once and for all.
As the nosy busy-bodies began to gather - and they heavily armed, battle ready men made their way back to the vehicles - the LT made sure to say to my sister, loud enough to all to hear, "It's no problem ma'am. This was not an inconvenience. Your sister wanted to make sure you were safe. Next time, you can call us directly."
Needless to say, the busy-bodies had to know what was going on. So, she pretty much relayed the made-up story she and the LT created. "I thought I heard something and got scared, so I called my sister." Now the neighbors looked confused. How was calling me warranting a military level assault team? She continued, "Oh... You thought my sister was retired? Oh no... She's still a reserve officer and the associate director of the OSI. She's been in Washington for the last couple weeks."
When I finally got home, she picked me up from the airport. Before we got to the house, she told me the entire story and mentioned, "Things with our neighbors may be a little different."
I'll say, these people figuratively walked on eggshells around me. Never again did anyone ever try to tell me a damn thing. Never again did anyone ever try to stick their nose in where it did not belong. EVERYONE, from that moment forward were all very kind, considerate and extremely polite.
I guess when your neighbors are terrified you had the power to make them vanish of the face of the planet, they sort of do everything in their power not to piss you off. In a way, too bad we eventually moved across country.
Awesome job!! Are you planning to add stairs to connect the upper to the lower?
Very nice. Thinking you might have used the same natural wood material for the skirting that you had on the vertica of the higher deck?? Subscribed.
Great job…thank for the tips
nicely done. are you not worried about weeds coming back through the stones?
Great job!! 👍🏼👍🏼
That looks so nice!
Thank you!
I would’ve put a third row of joists under the centerline of the lumbers. I guess this will last but it seems to be too long of a bridging. I also would’ve put some kind of water insulation between the wall and the lumber just next to it.
A nice job anyways, thanks for the inspiration. I’ll try to find a European equivalent of this support system.
Are the materials suitable for small shed construction?
Great job!
No reason not to get whatever equipment will make the job easier and more efficient for you. Many rental places will give you a rate discount that increases with the number of pieces of equipment you rent at the same time.
100%. I can’t believe how many times I dug / compacted by hand for the sake of “saving money” when it took me 5X as long.
That was awesome!
When working by myself with long material I used a helper nail at one end.
Nice I’m not to sure about not using footers plastic gets brittle over time and i doubt it’ll last 30 or even 50 years but otherwise great job
I’m definitely curious about lifetime. I built the existing deck with concrete footers a few years ago so we shall see about which one is in better shape in a decade or so.
@darealmicahurbex, good point. I wonder how long this system would last in a cold climate?
Iv built alot of decks u coud di maybe 3 footers and pore concrete in half the time and price and pass inspection
Especially if you’re renting equipment. Just get an auger and blast those holes out easy. Plus where I live the first line is like 3 to 4 feet. I don’t see the point in being so meticulous with the actual deck and then putting it atop plastic expensive novelty footers. But it’s a sponsered video so I guess that’s the point.
You are supposed to screw the boards together at 2" intervals ( hence 2x10 needs 5 screws )
Great video
Will the bison level up system dry rot over time? Or breakdown?
Wow! Will do this or have somebody do this for us. Nice nice
Any reason for not adding blocking in the middle of the span?
Definitely could have, but figured the decking boards would help tie everything together enough in the center 👍
25 years ago I lived in the country and built two decks on my house. Screw your damn permits!
this is probably a reallllly dumb question, but i'm a noob wit DIY stuff so hear it goes.... With the Level Up system you used.... the floating deck wont move at all over the years? I mean I understand the joists are heavy + everything else you plan to put on it.... but no worries on it potentially moving over time somehow??
I imagine unless there is a huge wash out or flood it's unlikely, since he compacted the dirt, if you don't do compacting, then it is possible, however, you gotta imagine, gravity will keep them down. I'd say at worst you might get a slight slope/out of level if you don't compact and it compacts later.
Dope. Make matching 2x4 garden beds.
with dope in them
Looks like you have a lot of water running into the foundation where the downspout is at the corner on the left. Check it out!!
I hope Hawaii will let me bulid this one day without a permit.
Mahalo
My friend, for the future, uses rebars to set your stream lines. It makes your life better.
How do you keep the deck from moving? Those pedestals secured to the ground?
@11:30, you could have secured a 2x4 at the right height and then set the piece on top. It helps
Nice!!!!!👊🏾👊🏾👊🏾👊🏾
Very good job. You should make a small staircase to the Upper deck combining them, not only making it easier to get from one to the other but also giving it great appeal for appearance.
I’ve got four words for your lawn, “How to with Doc”. Good video though. 👍
Wow Andrew! Love, Love, Love it! My daddy was a carpenter and I wish I had paid better attention 30+ years ago when I would "help" him 💙He would have loved all the new advancements of today. Absolutely love watching the work you do, kinda of reminds me of my dad! Thanks for sharing - hope you're doing well. Enjoy your day
I appreciate it, Lucy! And honestly, so of the "old" ways of doing things is still the best way haha. Most of these new advancements have not been out long enough for us to really see how good they are. Fingers crossed though 🙏 Take care and thank you for the support.
Your facia board is bolted to the house therefore you would need a permit where I live. Free floating no problem but once you fasten it to the house you need a permit.
Good job brother
Very professional
Question?
Why dint u make it level with the other one that’s higher and used the bottom as storage?
Appreciate it! This was just a bit easier - no railing needed for under 30” height, no concrete, etc. For overall functionality, I totally agree that lengthening the existing deck would have been the move.
@8:45 I bet your neighbors were disappointed a crane didn't show up
11:34
Use a cleat as a second set of hands
Great job, Andrew! I enjoy all your videos.
Appreciate the continued support!!
No blocking in the center?🤔
Not sure what state you are in but i dont think that would fly here in Michigan
I've never seen the base done with only stones, usually there is limestone on top of the stone.
How long are those joists? Am I missing sometjing or is that a pretty long span? Middle might be kind of a weak point …
Looks great! But I wonder? In the future will we be seeing steps installed from upper deck to lower? Lol
I am going to have to do somehting like for sure!
I don't understand why you only used the supports on the front and back. Don't decks usually need supports in the middle areas as well? Seems to me it's just going to sag in the middle over time. I also don't understand why you didn't use ground anchors to hold the joist supports in place.
Wow! Brilliant Andrew. Always fun entertainment while you work!
Great! Now you just got to clean up that mess under the other deck.🤔😆😆😆
Wow!
WOW!!!!! IMPRESSIVE!!! (all caps intended!)❤
I APPRECIATE IT!
What about the steps up and down between the upper and lower decks? Or, so we are to assume that everyone, to enjoy your decks, went to airborne jump school! 😁
Looks VERY nice, BUT, I'd be concerned with the longevity of the adjustable pedestals because they are plastic
300 bucks a pack...
Are they, "plastic"? Or are they some type of hardened neoprene, PVC or other type of long lasting polymer? I honestly do not know what they are. But I am curious.
I built a full terrace, 100ft x 17ft with very heavy stone tiles like this over a sloped old concrete terrace over 5 years ago. It's still standing strong without any problems. I've never done it on stone bedding, though. But it should be good. Why not?
how does this simplify anything?
You can just clamp a piece of scrap or two to the lower edge of the rim joist for all the support you need when aligning the trim miters. Gotta get creative when you work solo! Nice job on it! 👍
How do these footings hold up in winter
I’ll be curious to find out this winter as well ❄️
What the cost for a project like this
I would’ve dug the 4 to 6 post holes. lol 😂
You forgot the stairs. 😉 Nice job!
Need some steps to get up and down from the top one
Pro tip for you. Get some saw horses and a sheet of plywood to do all your cutting at waist height while standing. Cutting on the ground totally sucks.
Brilliant work! I love those innovative plastic supports with the leveling wheel. I was a bit shocked when the ledger board went up LAST. Though I could to imagine attaching all the beams to it then attaching the ledger to the wall with Brian or a team of 6 to 8 strong men! It looked like an inch or two at the bottom to let air pass thru and keep things dry under. Are you pondering a stair case from the upper level to the lower, new, beautiful one? Didn't think so what with the cable work in the rails, which is timeless. I don't know how you didn't find a deal on a small earth mover like the ones you used on the shower and here but I know what your wealthy relatives can add to the christmas list for you . [laughing at myself at that]. Overall I love it and no trouble with the permit people!? Thanks for a great video with my lunch.. Later.
Appreciate it, Patrick! And I know I REALLY wanted to assemble it and then move it into place - but I just couldn't get help that day. As for the staircase, I need to do something for sure- Still deciding. Haha I wish - If you are offering, I'll take the one with the enclosed seat with AC lol. So far so good in the permitting department. Hope lunch was good and thanks for the watch!
My dude! My lawn looks worst hahah good stuff 👍
My condolences haha it's tough out here. Thanks!
You have to replace the window with a tempered/laminate window now
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