How to Build a Raised Deck

Building An Elevated Deck: Step-By-Step

Step 1: Design Your Raised Deck

Start gathering inspiration by looking at websites or Pinterest boards to see what may work for your personal aesthetic and backyard layout. You can review images online to choose a design and talk with specialists at a building supply store for input. You can even chat with neighbors who have built similar structures and understand some of the limitations of the particular terrain or geography within your neighborhood.

At some home supply stores, staff will even design an elevated deck for you if you buy your supplies from them. You can also look to several free apps and online programs to help you design your deck according to your exact specifications and ideas you have in mind.

Step 2: Determine Your Budget

Your budget will also play a role in the type of materials to choose, the size of your deck, and what types of add-ons you may want to consider. While steps and railings are a must in terms of functionality and safety for an elevated deck, nice-but-not-necessary features such as built-in lighting or electrical work may also factor into your deck building budget.

Budget factors to consider include how big you want your deck to be and the type of lumber you’ll use. The staff at your local home supply store can share recommendations to help you stay within your allotted budget. Similarly, some apps can help you better anticipate just how much you’ll need to set aside to build your deck.

Step 3: Apply for a Building Permit

Most cities, towns, and neighborhoods require building permits for building a deck above ground. They’ll want to know specifics like the size, height, and type of lumber to determine if it meets safety regulations. If you’re working with a contractor, you’ll want to be able to submit blueprints for the deck to have on file to make sure that your deck conforms to safety regulations, as well as local building codes. If you’re going the DIY route, several free apps can help you generate blueprints to take to your building office when applying for permits.

Step 4: Buy Your Materials

Once you’ve got your permit in hand, you’re ready to buy your materials. You can find helpful staff at your local building supply store who will help you make sure you have everything you need, including the right size lumber, concrete for footings, and other items. For a full list of items you may need and quantities of each, check out our calculators to put together your shopping list.

Step 5: Attach the Ledger Board

Once you gather your materials, it will be time to start the building process. Your first step is to attach a ledger board. This is a horizontal piece of lumber that attaches to an existing wall of your home to provide deck stability. The size you need will depend on the size of your deck. For example, you’ll need a 2’ x 12’ foot ledger for a 24’ x 14’ deck. Be sure the ledger board is attached properly, using bolts -- not screws. Your attachment should also meet code requirements for bolt-through details into a solid part of the house. Attaching a ledger board improperly can lead to a structural deck failure.

Step 6: Dig the Deck Footings

Use string to outline the raised deck footings. Four footings are common for a typical deck. Plan for a 12-inch width for each footing and 48 inches deep to get below frost lines. This is important for stability, but even more so in colder areas where you need to check how deep your soil will freeze during winter months. You can dig the footings by hand or rent a power auger to make the process easier.

Step 7: Set Your Posts

Once you’ve dug your footing holes, it’s time to position your posts in the holes and check that they’re plumb (exactly vertical). It’s worth double-checking them before you pour the concrete in case you need to reposition them.

Step 8: Mix and Pour the Concrete

Using bags of concrete you’d purchased when you were gathering your materials, you can premix the concrete using a small cement mixer (that you can rent) or mix the appropriate amount in a wheelbarrow. Pour it into the holes to hold the posts. Allow the concrete to set. This will take approximately 48 hours.

Step 9: Prepare and Brace Temporary Posts

Once the concrete has been cured, brace the posts for stability, adding beams or rim joists. Once your beams or rim joists have been placed, add joist hangers to the inner sections. Use a level to measure and trim the tops of the posts to ensure that they’re even to create an attractive, symmetrical look to your deck.

Step 10: Install the Permanent Joists

Joist hangers will strengthen the load-bearing weight of your deck. There are different sizes for different size lumber. You can use them to join the joists to the ledger. Reinforce with wood blocks cut from the same size wood material as the joists (called blocking) between the joists to prevent the joists from twisting.

Step 11: Install the Decking

Now that you’ve laid your foundation (literally), here’s where your above-ground deck really begins to come together and resemble the deck of you’ve dreamed of. Gather your decking boards and start laying them (temporarily) in the middle of the deck. Lay the first row perpendicular to the joists at the ledger beam (or along the side of the house) and install them with deck screws. If this is your first DIY project, you might not be attempting an ambitious patterned inlay. However, staggering the adjacent rows of decking is a simple way for even DIY beginners to achieve the most aesthetically pleasing pattern for their deck, resulting in a polished look.

Additional Considerations for Building an Above Ground Deck

Building an elevated deck can take time, but it’s a rewarding process. Before you break ground and start laying the foundation for a deck you’ll enjoy for years to come, weigh the various factors involved in building your deck and how it can impact your options. The terrain, the deck’s location, budget, materials and project completion timeframe all factor into raised deck planning.

• Terrain: Is the ground sloping or particularly rocky? A home or ground that tilts at an incline can impact the post’s depth while the second can impact the difficulty of digging for the deck posts. Be sure to take this into consideration to ensure a smooth process and a safe deck.
• Location: Depending on where your deck is in relation to your home, any trees on your property, or within your backyard, it may receive a lot of sun exposure. If your deck is likely to get a lot of sun during the hours of prime use, you may want to build or add a roof to your deck for extra shade.
• Materials: Today, you have a variety of options of materials to choose from when building an elevated deck. These include natural wood (like cedar), pressure-treated lumber, and composite decking materials-- which offer the look of wood blended with other materials, resulting in decking that requires less maintenance than traditional wood decking. Do your homework on which is the best option for you. Your choice will depend on your tastes, budget, and how much maintenance you want to perform on your deck each year.
• Timing: Allow adequate time to build your elevated deck. This is an advanced home project. Even if you’re a seasoned DIY-er, taking your time or working with a partner to build your deck properly will take a few weekends. You’ll also want to allow for weather that can impact your timeline -- like snow or excessive rains.

These step-by-step directions on how to build a raised deck will help you build the deck of your dreams. Click to explore images of raised and elevated decks.