Building a Patio Deck (First time DIY) - Without Digging - Using TuffBlock Deck Foundation Blocks
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 21 ต.ค. 2024
- Buy TuffBlocks (USA): buildtuff.com/...
Buy TuffBlocks (AUS): buildtuff.com....
Buy TuffBlocks (CAN): www.homehardwa...
In this video, Austin shows you his step by step journey in building a patio deck on the back of his house using TuffBlock deck foundation blocks. Austin is a handy DIYer and this is his first ever deck build - and we're really impressed with his work.
He'd considered using concrete blocks, but TuffBlocks enabled him to design an ultra low deck of only 160mm, which can't be achieved using the concrete blocks (without digging each block into the ground).
He found it very difficult to grow grass in his back yard due to shade from the house and a tree, and therefore decided he wanted a low profile deck to use to host BBQs in the summer with friends, and even put a projector on warm summer nights to watch movies with the family.
Austin wanted to avoid digging into the ground due to surrounding services underneath his home (electrical wires, pipes etc), and therefore a floating deck was a perfect choice due to requiring no digging. A floating deck is one that's not attached to a fixed structure and 'floats' on the surface, shifting with the ground in freeze and thaw cycles. It was a building technique designed in North America in areas that suffer from freeze and thaw, and worked perfect for his Chicago home.
For more info on TuffBlocks, check out:
buildtuff.com
TuffBlocks also available in Bunnings and Lowes stores, as well as online at most hardware stores.
Clean work ! 💪👍💯💯❗️
Like the planter additions
You probably added 5-$10,000 dollars to your home value
Appreciate it David. Building a deck is definitely one of the most cost effective ways to increase the value of your home!
Amazing transformation of that outdoor area.
Thanks Alan, we agree! Definitely transformed the space and elevated his backyard.
Great work Austin! Massively impressed that this is your first deck build. It's made a great outdoor space to hangout this summer.
We couldn't agree more Oliver. We're always blown away by this first time DIYers that give it a go and produce such great results.
Quite efficient builders.
This is great!
Glad he laid down the weed block. A lot of other builders neglect this. It’s cheap and easy. Do it.
This deck looks awesome. Wish I can build one as well with tuffblock. Great product!
Nice improvement to your back garden! This was all done in one day?? That's amazing.
Yup all in one day. That's one great advantage of deck blocks and floating decks that don't require filling deep holes, mixing concrete and waiting days for it to set.
Thanks for this video. I just moved back into my townhome after a divorce (congratulations to me😄) and I got a couple of estimates for just a floating deck on the back of a 1200 sq ft townhome. I am not paying $10K no matter how supplies went up with Covid. I decided to do it myself. I found another video which looked doable, however, I like the Tuff Blocks. Great find! Thanks.
That's great to hear you're getting stuck in and building it yourself! Sorry to hear about your divorce :/ We hope you create a great new home for yourself with an awesome floating deck :)
Great job!!
Thanks Kathy :)
As someone who builds a lot of decks these tuffblocks look like they could save me a lot of time. Need to give them a go. Looks easy enough! Where can I find them?
Hi Stephen. Great to hear from professionals like yourself! Yes - TuffBlocks can save you a ton of time. You can find them on our website at:
buildtuff.com/products/tuffblock
They're also available in the US in-store from Lowes, as well as online from Home Depot and Amazon.
If you're in Canada you can find them on Amazon Canada and Home Hardware.
If you're in Australia you'll find them in most Bunnings.
Build On!
I must’ve missed the leveling of all those inside joists? Isn’t it critical for all of those to match the height of the perimeter?
nice work! question tho, is it that necessary to have that much of the block?or is it fine to have it spaced 3 joist apart?
Typically you build based on your materials. So the joist centers would be based on your deck boards (i.e. how much they flex), and then your joist spans would depend on the thickness of the joists.
You can't have supports on only every 3rd joist, but there are methods to create 2 'ledgers' for your end joists and then connect cross joists via joist hangers. Ultimately a subframe can go together in many different ways, and there are many factors involved that make it impossible to give a simple answer.
Great tutorial 👍👍
Thanks Glenn!
I see you directly build on grass. Will the deck sink over years?
You'll want to remove top soil, compact it down and then use aggregate. This will mitigate any risk of sinking. Removing top soil usually reveals a much firmer compacted surface at grade, and using aggregate will help a lot with drainage. Additionally TuffBlocks have a fairly large surface area and the deck's weight is spread evenly. Ultimately settling can occur, but these will help minimize it greatly.
@@Buildtuff thanks a lot!!
Don't know if I'll get a response, can I put these down in sand from an old concrete patio?
It's tough to say without seeing the site, but if it's compacted sand under a patio then you're probably ok. Aggregate is used on most floating decks with deck blocks so this shouldn't be any different than using paver base or crusher dust.
TuffBlocks have been used on a large scale government project next to a beach where the surface is very sandy. This was for 30+ floating decks used for tent platforms. I wouldn't build a large scale deck off a home on a surface like this, but for a small/medium ground level floating deck, then you should be fine. And if the old patio has compacted the ground over many years then that'll help a lot.
Shouldn't there be some blocking between the joists ?
It's definitely recommended! It helps keep the joists straight, and adds extra strength.
Did I miss something in the video? I didn't see how the deck was structurally connected to either the ground or the house. What prevents my deck from becoming my neighbor's deck in the next hurricane?
You could put anchors in the ground I guess.
Like you do with your car and lawnmower😂
Great job! I’m building this exact deck. I know you have the materials listed but what is the length of the boards for the frame…2x6 by ?…and you have 2 longer boards. Can you tell me what size they are? I just want to get the right material. I’m a woman that is measurement challenge when it comes to these things… Thanks in advance.
Apologies for the late reply. The joist running the length were roughly 18ft, with the cross joists being 12 feet (from memory). I'll ask the builder to see if he has exact measurements. Thanks. Good luck with your build!
Any additional help you need, feel free to email info@buildtuff.com
Thanks so I hope
I've seen joist hangers applied in two different ways. First toe-nail the joists to the rim board and THEN attach the hangers. Or your way, hangers first and then lay in the joists. My fear with your way is that if you've made a mistake, there could be dozens of hangers to correct. A mistake the other way affects only one board. Did you have any such corrections? Did they all fit as planned? Thanks!
This is probably something that comes with experience. If you trust your measurements then joist hangers first is the most efficient way to go. But if you feel more comfortable with toe nailing the joists then go for that. Whatever works!
How many tuffblocks did you use? It does seem excessive. 🤷♂️
Hey David - it looks excessive at first glance but once you factor in 16inch centers for the joist spacing, and then 1.5m supports for the span of each joist then this is the correct number to use. Any more than 16inches and the boards will start to bow under foot, and most building codes show the span tables for a variety of joists/bearers which in this case sits around 1.5m.
Having said that...you could use a lot less TuffBlocks by raising the deck off the ground and using bearers beneath your joists. This would require less than half the TuffBlocks, however you'd need to invest in bearers, and you'd sacrifice the low profile deck which is a big selling point for most TuffBlock purchases.
Hope this helps!
@@Buildtuff thank you for the advice. I now know it would be much more economical to invest in a lot of tuffblocks, as they are not that pricey, and are obviously cheaper than concrete footers. And far less labor intensive. 💪👍👌🙏🙏🙏
It's very excessive they could have used about 12 and would have been fine.
Could blocking and hangers be used to support every other joist? Or at that point would time and materials equal the cost of the tough blocks?
Can I ask what the dimensions of this deck are? Trying to do math for my own. Thanks!
Hey Sarah - it's a 20ft by 14ft deck with joists at 16 inch centers. Best of luck with your project!
hi
Nice to see what prince harry has been up to during the pandemic
Thinking the same thing
You mean nfl quarterback Carson Wentz!!??
dang I look a lot like this guy always getting the prince harry comments its ruff for us gingers out heya!
He will sponsor anything these days 😂
Pretty brave to build a deck that big with 2x6.
I know there is no code to follow but I would use 2x8 and use less of these blocks but dig deeper
Fair point, but so long as the spans are supported in line with local span tables then this gives the necessary support to the joist to ensure it's solid. Sure 2x8 and up is going to be stronger, but with closer spans then you're going to have a firm subframe regardless.
Aren’t you worried about rats, snakes, etc living under it????
@@Buildtuffexcept these tuff blocks are not cheap spend a few dollars extra in spans and save hundreds in tuff blocks! 😂
Typically one would slope the deck away from the house, so that water doesn’t pool on the deck surface. Otherwise, nice job.
That’s exactly what I want to know. I have a upper level flat rooftop off my master bedroom, and it leaks into my downstairs kitchen. I need a deck that gets rid of the standing water.
@@davidbooher5559 If you build a deck on the rooftop, that won't solve the leak- you'll need to address the leak first, before building a deck. best of luck, though
@@d4jsmit thank you. I know this , just trying to figure out where the leak is completely from
Prince Harry your not fooling anyone
I’m dead 😂😂😂 Prince Harry could never build a floating deck!
It wasn’t him who built it it was his butler
I was looking for someone to say it
Prince Harry
Am I the only one who doesn't see the need for all those joist hangers?
Joist hangers are typically required by code. They add a lot of structural support and will extend the life of your deck.