Everything You Need To Know About Building A Freestanding Deck

A freestanding deck or a floating deck in Australia is a deck that is not attached to a house or building. Freestanding decks are low to the ground. They do not require staircases and handrails. They are built just above ground level. Freestanding decks are attractive, simple and easy to build. Adding a freestanding deck to your backyard can provide the needed platform for a grill, patio furniture, backyard amenities and hammock.

What you need to know about building freestanding decks 

One of the biggest plusses of installing a freestanding deck is that you will not need to get a permit to install it. You should always check with your building department for local regulations on freestanding decks but the international residential code doesn’t need a permit if your deck is not attached to your house, takes up less than 200 square feet, it is not in front of an egress door and is not more than 30 inches above the ground.

Benefits of a freestanding deck 

A freestanding deck offers a lot of benefits. In addition to not requiring you to have building permits, freestanding decks are faster and easier to build compared to elevated decks. They also do not require frost depth footings and do not need handrails because they are close to the ground. Because freestanding decks are ground level, maintaining and repairing them is very easy.

Choosing the best wood for building a freestanding deck 

There are a lot of decking ideas but when installing a freestanding deck, you should always use pressure-treated lumber to install your freestanding deck frame. Pressure-treated lumber is even better if you can find ground contact. The extra processing the boards go through protects them from rotting and deterioration, which is a threat because freestanding decks are installed too close to the ground.

As for the deck material, there are a lot of types of lumber that work great such as cedar and redwood. You can also use southern yellow pine or pressure-treated lumber for decking. Another great option is composite decking which is known for its low maintenance and durability. Composite will not crack, bend, warp or splinter. This is why it is loved by a lot of homeowners.

Caring for your freestanding deck 

If you want your freestanding deck to maintain its texture and colour, you should pressure wash it yearly. For wood decking, it is best to follow a regular maintenance routine to keep the wood in a good condition. Over time, all the unsealed decks will start to crack and turn grey. Maintenance intervals vary depending on the type of climate or wood.

Generally, a floating deck Australia should be stained or sealed every two to four years. Cedar and redwood age better than other deck building materials but they will still fall victim to age. If you want a low-maintenance decking material, you should consider composite materials. With light maintenance and a little cleaning, the material will retain its appearance for years. It comes in different colours and you can find a composite that looks exactly like wood.