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Floating Deck and Colorful Mulch

From "Yard Crashers"
episode DYCR-107

Blue glass mulch surrounds a floating deck in the shelter of a shade sail.

A blank slate of a yard has nothing but dead grass going for it. In this makeover, a floating deck and blue glass mulch take center stage. Nearby, a cool play area for kids is created with rubber mulch.

Project No. 1: Floating deck

A floating deck adds a great elevated place to sit and enjoy a view of your yard. Only a few inches off the ground, this platform takes a little time but is easy once you get going.

Materials

25 pier blocks, 6" or 8"

48- 2" x 6" by 8' deck boards (synthetic deck material for this project)

15- 2" x 6" by 10' straight pressure-treated lumber

2 large boxes, square-head trim deck screws

2 large boxes galvanized nails

3 to 4 bags dry quick-set concrete

laser level

pick and shovels

screwdriver

Figure A

Figure B

Figure C

Figure D

Figure E

Level the area. Excavate the area for the floating deck, then using a laser level, move dirt until ground is level.

Set and level four corners of blocking. Set the four corners for the deck. Digging about six 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 six inches from each block for deck boards to add another 8' x 20' rectangle. Using a string level or laser level, make sure each block is level. Or, check if corner blocks are level by running a straight board through the divots in corner blocks and checking with a level (figure A).

Create lines for interior blocks. Measuring two feet from corners, spray paint a straight line down the short portion of the deck; this is the line for the interior blocks. Spray another line two feet between two interior lines. You should have three horizontal lines. Dig a six-inch trench along the lines (figure B). Then dig a trench between your corner blocks.

Set and level interior blocks. Space four interior blocks two feet apart from one another on each trench line. Level the interior blocks to your corner blocks. You will have two blocks between your horizontal corners and three blocks between your vertical corners.

Continue setting outer blocks. Blocks should be equally spaced. Set them and make sure they're level, using wet concrete mixed in a large wheelbarrow, adding or removing concrete as necessary. A good way to check that all blocks are lined up is by using a straight piece of board and setting it through the X indentation of each block and see how they line up (figure C).

Let dry. Make sure the concrete has set before moving to next steps.

Lay 2" x 6" pressure-treated deck joists. Making sure is everything is level, lay the 2" x 6" deck joists on edge inside the deck blocks. Measure from each 2x6 to make sure they are evenly spaced, two feet apart.

Begin laying synthetic deck boards. Place one board in the middle of the deck area, making sure it hangs evenly off each end of the 2x6s. The deck planks are made to have a gap between them, so use a small nail as your spacing guide at each joint. Where the deck plank meets each joist, screw two square-head trim screws 1-1/4 inch from each side of the deck plank (figure D). Don't use a lot of pressure because the thread will pull the screw down. Hammer the screws down a bit so they don't stick up.

Repeat on each plank. This process should move fairly quickly (figure E).

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