Thanks for the update. I tried to use this design by modifying it for a rectangular Intex soft-sided. I ran into some difficulties and ultimately went with a standard post and beam construct. While many of the techniques you used here give insight into the challenges of building a pool deck, I would advise others to study carefully the measurement differences in a soft-sided pool, particularly how the slope inward of the sides to the top bars. I did use what I learned here on how to set and brace the deck blocks.
Hope you have a great deck build. I have only built pool decks for steel wall pools. I can see how soft-sided pools would have a different deck build to compensate for differences in wall and top rail. Thanks , Norman
Thanks for the update. If we were to increase the depth of the deck from 36 inches to 54 1/2, we would add another board- in addition to boards 1, 2, 3. I am thinking for our 30ft pool that my 2 test trapezoids should be as follows: board 1 =44 3/4 2= 50 3/4 3=57 additional board=63 . Boards 4 & 5 = 54 1/2. My questions are: do we need a 4th board or will it be structurally sound to keep 3 boards and adjust the measurements to start further than 2 inches from pool and then add decking as indicated in your other video. Also, can we move the post back to the outer board or do you recommend adding another post? I appreciate your feedback. Thank you so very much for these amazing videos.
Sally, Changing the width of the deck from 36” to 54 ½” alters the entire structural dynamics of the deck and the trapezoid frame. Building codes may not allow this size deck to be built on floating deck blocks, you may have to set the posts in concrete. Check your local building codes, if they are allowed you will need to double the center support board and add two center posts to the trapezoid framing. Due to the size and weight change, you will also have to use construction screws to connect the trapezoids, connect to the top of the posts, and when attaching the diagonal bracing. Additional diagonal bracing may be required. After you calculate your trapezoid size, build two templates. Remember, all the board sizes in the 36” deck build are related to the width of the deck. When you change the width, it changes the trapezoid geometry completely. All the 36” trapezoid calculations and dimensions are unrelated to any deck wider than the 36 inches. You have to start with new calculations and dimensions. Use online geometry calculators to help you figure the new size trapezoid to meet your deck size. Feel free to ask me any questions as you build your deck, I will try to answer if I can. I hope this helps, and I wish you success in building your deck. Thanks, Norman
Alisha, When you change the width, it changes the trapezoid geometry completely. All the 36” trapezoid calculations and dimensions are unrelated to any deck wider than the 36 inches. You have to start with new calculations and dimensions. Use online geometry calculators to help you figure the new size trapezoid to meet your deck's width size. The equation for the circumference of a pool can be written in two ways: C = 2πr C = πd Where: r represents the radius of the pool and d represents a pool's diameter. The radius is the distance from the center of the pool to a point on the edge of the pool and the diameter is the largest distance across the pool. The diameter is always twice the length of the radius. When calculating the circumference with a known radius use the first version of the circumference formula shown; when the diameter is known use the second version of the circumference formula shown. Once you calculate the circumference, then you calculate the trapezoid size needed to cover the square feet around the pool. You can build a partial deck around your pool but you can’t use the same build details as shown in the video. If you do not build a complete circle around your pool and connect all 18 trapezoid frames, you lose the deck’s structural integrity. When building a partial circle, you have no support on each end of the deck frame. Nothing is stopping the deck frame from moving right or left. Building a semi-circle or any size partial circle using trapezoid framing will require posts set in concrete, additional support framing, and construction screws used in the frame build. There may be other requirements as well, check with your local building inspector’s office for code requirements in your county and state. Feel free to ask me any questions as you build your deck, I will try to answer if I can. I hope this helps, and I wish you success in building your deck. Thanks, Norman
Thanks for the update. I tried to use this design by modifying it for a rectangular Intex soft-sided. I ran into some difficulties and ultimately went with a standard post and beam construct. While many of the techniques you used here give insight into the challenges of building a pool deck, I would advise others to study carefully the measurement differences in a soft-sided pool, particularly how the slope inward of the sides to the top bars. I did use what I learned here on how to set and brace the deck blocks.
Hope you have a great deck build. I have only built pool decks for steel wall pools. I can see how soft-sided pools would have a different deck build to compensate for differences in wall and top rail. Thanks , Norman
Thanks for the update. If we were to increase the depth of the deck from 36 inches to 54 1/2, we would add another board- in addition to boards 1, 2, 3. I am thinking for our 30ft pool that my 2 test trapezoids should be as follows: board 1 =44 3/4 2= 50 3/4 3=57 additional board=63 . Boards 4 & 5 = 54 1/2. My questions are: do we need a 4th board or will it be structurally sound to keep 3 boards and adjust the measurements to start further than 2 inches from pool and then add decking as indicated in your other video. Also, can we move the post back to the outer board or do you recommend adding another post? I appreciate your feedback. Thank you so very much for these amazing videos.
Sally,
Changing the width of the deck from 36” to 54 ½” alters the entire structural dynamics of the deck and the trapezoid frame. Building codes may not allow this size deck to be built on floating deck blocks, you may have to set the posts in concrete.
Check your local building codes, if they are allowed you will need to double the center support board and add two center posts to the trapezoid framing.
Due to the size and weight change, you will also have to use construction screws to connect the trapezoids, connect to the top of the posts, and when attaching the diagonal bracing.
Additional diagonal bracing may be required.
After you calculate your trapezoid size, build two templates. Remember, all the board sizes in the 36” deck build are related to the width of the deck.
When you change the width, it changes the trapezoid geometry completely.
All the 36” trapezoid calculations and dimensions are unrelated to any deck wider than the 36 inches. You have to start with new calculations and dimensions.
Use online geometry calculators to help you figure the new size trapezoid to meet your deck size.
Feel free to ask me any questions as you build your deck, I will try to answer if I can.
I hope this helps, and I wish you success in building your deck.
Thanks,
Norman
I have an 18 foot round pool. Id love to use your trapezoid system, but id like the deck to be 4 foot instead of 3. Do you have measurments for that?
I also want to mention that i only want to build 2 or 3 trapezoids for my project
Alisha,
When you change the width, it changes the trapezoid geometry completely.
All the 36” trapezoid calculations and dimensions are unrelated to any deck wider than the 36 inches.
You have to start with new calculations and dimensions. Use online geometry calculators to help you figure the new size trapezoid to meet your deck's width size.
The equation for the circumference of a pool can be written in two ways:
C = 2πr
C = πd
Where: r represents the radius of the pool and d represents a pool's diameter.
The radius is the distance from the center of the pool to a point on the edge of the pool and the diameter is the largest distance across the pool. The diameter is always twice the length of the radius.
When calculating the circumference with a known radius use the first version of the circumference formula shown; when the diameter is known use the second version of the circumference formula shown.
Once you calculate the circumference, then you calculate the trapezoid size needed to cover the square feet around the pool.
You can build a partial deck around your pool but you can’t use the same build details as shown in the video.
If you do not build a complete circle around your pool and connect all 18 trapezoid frames, you lose the deck’s structural integrity.
When building a partial circle, you have no support on each end of the deck frame. Nothing is stopping the deck frame from moving right or left.
Building a semi-circle or any size partial circle using trapezoid framing will require posts set in concrete, additional support framing, and construction screws used in the frame build.
There may be other requirements as well, check with your local building inspector’s office for code requirements in your county and state.
Feel free to ask me any questions as you build your deck, I will try to answer if I can.
I hope this helps, and I wish you success in building your deck.
Thanks,
Norman