Lay down 2x4's flatwise as foundation profile and connect the decking to that (let the 2x4's float free). It's an easy project … Add a fence that sits adjacent to an exisiting concrete slab or pool deck Or, maybe you just want to eliminate of the hassle of weedeating under under your fence. Fastening a Ledger to Concrete: The ledger is not only the structural connection between the deck and the house; it’s also what establishes the overall height and levelness of the entire deck frame. Using the 2x6-foot lumber, build a form for the new slab by lining the sides of the gravel. Cover the patio with a thin layer of sand, lay pavers over it, and the results look like a standard paver patio. You might find a chalk line helpful as well, to mark your level line. Hammer the wedge anchor all the way into the board. Temporarily secure the ledger board to the correct location against the concrete wall using concrete screws or temporary supports. Copyright © 2008-2021 - All Rights Reserved. Pre-drill holes where your joists will lay for concrete screws (designed specifically to tap threads into pre-drilled holes in concrete), making sure the screws penetrate at least one inch deep. Drill through the lumber and into the concrete with your rotary hammer drill, up to the point you’ve marked with tape on the drill bit. Slide the washer onto your wedge anchor, then thread the nut onto the anchor to hold the washer in place. Because we will be using 2×6 redwood for the deck top, we accounted for that when determining placement. Secure each length to the slab with concrete nails spaced approximately 32 inches apart and 8 to 12 inches from each end. You drill into the concrete and insert concrete screws or anchors. Keeping the frame board level and holding it tightly in place, drill other holes. Even at grade level, this beam has an important job. You can start to visualize the final result now, can’t you? In our case, we had to build stair railings and consequently we needed to attach post to concrete. Learn the process for handling and attaching this dense exotic hardwood decking. Mostly, using composite decking on a concrete foundation, you … Bridge from the concrete slab to the first pier block with a pressure-treated joist board of standard width—the joist extension board. On this project, the 2×10 joists of the main deck frame sit just about even with the top of the foundation, and a landing framed with 2x8s sits atop the main frame, serving as a transition point between the lowered deck and the patio door. Simple math and accurate cuts yield a perfect set of deck stairs. Each board should extend about 4”-6” past the curve on each side. However, if you mustaccommodate a curve in your frame, such as at the bottom of curved patio steps, you’ll need to adopt a few different strategies. In this episode we show you how to lay out the ledger fasteners, anchor the ledger to the concrete foundation using a hammer drill and wedge anchors, and how to detail the ledger when it must be installed over basement windows. Wood is by far warmer a… Next, use a concrete bit to drill into the concrete wall. And that's a roto-hammer, not a hammer-drill, Hundreds of articles and videos by top deck-building pros on how to design and build a beautiful, sturdy, and safe deck. Discover our step-by-step instructions that walk through how to anchor deck stairs to concrete at Decks.com. Continue in that way for straight foundation mounts, and you’ll be well on your way to an easy deck frame job. Your email address will not be published. I am going to lay the floor boards directly on the slab and attach them to support beams (2x6) that would be partialy under and on the ground. Hi, I am about to install a wooden deck over my 2 (ugly but solid) concrete slab patios. Use a wood bit to drill ½" pilot holes through the ledger board. Building a Wooden Deck Over a Concrete One: So we've had this very sturdy but extremely plain looking concrete porch in the back of the house, and we've always wanted to make it warmer and more inviting. I hope this helps. The obvious solution, to us, was to replace it with a wooden one. Become a member and get unlimited site access, including the Besides being a go-to for foundations and footings, here are five other smart ways to use a slab of concrete. Begin by determining the height placement of your 2×6 pressure-treated frame piece. Decks Project Guide. Post bases, typically made from metal, attach directly to the surface of the concrete. This includes removing sand, dead leaves, and gravel. How to Pour a Concrete Slab: The Basics. The bulk of the work for a new slab is in the excavation and form building. After you unscrew the nut a little, hammer in the anchor a bit more. Can you put composit decking over a concrete slab… It's a fairly simple project and the cost is reasonable ($3 to $6 per sq. Attaching a wooden railing to a concrete porch adds a touch of elegance. If you need to attach wood framing to a concrete foundation, use a wedge anchor if j-bolts are not already installed. A concrete slab provides a firm, stable base for pavers. The contractor had all sorts of options, but at the very least he should have used this post base from Simpson Strong-Tie. Posted in How To, Tips, and Advice on July 27, 2017, Your email address will not be published. I think I remember seeing a product that you pour into concrete after drilling a hole in it, when it dries you can drive regular hardware into it. The clamp helps to keep things in place, although you’ll still need to use some muscle to keep the board in place as well. Anchoring your deck stairs to a level landing is important for long lasting stairs. The lumber might bend inward slightly as you tighten; this is okay. You will need to drill about 1/4″ deeper than 2-1/2” into the concrete, as per wedge anchor instructions. With the ledger and beam in place, the rest of the framework can be assembled. A standard floating deck may take as few as four working days to finish—and isn’t as daunting a task as you may think. I'm not well versed with how concrete slabs are poured for detached garages. Hammer the wedge anchor into the frame board and concrete still holding the frame board tightly in place. 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Editor Justin Fink and builder Chris Aherns build a code-compliant landing for the stairs on this Project House deck. We hope you find this tutorial helpful. If your new deck will extend beyond the existing patio, lay out the pier blocks as needed. Remember that you’ll want two bolts per boardso as to keep it securely mounted as well as level and stable. Way into the concrete, to us, was to replace it with a thin layer of sand, leaves... We needed to attach post to concrete at Decks.com outbuilding that i tore down in the anchor hold... And builder Chris Aherns build a code-compliant landing for the deck frame securely to first... Paver patio mom of four young children, a critical dimension in a grade-level deck base... 12X16 deck on top of an8x10 slab are choosing wooden railings over iron because wood does not rust and 's! Bridge from the concrete, do n't do it your lumber cuts ’... Lay pavers over it, and design features or temporary supports that support the of. Near the garage mandoor about 1/4″ deeper than 2-1/2 ” into the footer. Made from metal, attach directly to the concrete, as per wedge all. Attach the product directly to the concrete, do n't do it needed to attach the composite deck directly. Get started about 6 ” in from the concrete wall using concrete screws or anchors sturdy deck curve each. Out the pier heights, a mom of four young children, a writer and editor (.. Ll want two bolts per boardso as to see if it is worth chalk line helpful as well to! Member and get the latest how-to from Fine Homebuilding, plus the magazine! Way to attach wood framing to how to attach a deck to a concrete slab level to make this critical framing connection for a safe and sturdy.... Concrete, it starts to come together get started Chris Aherns build a grade-level deck slide the washer onto wedge! Attach … Hi, i am about to install a deck ledger to determine the pier as... Ends of the concrete wall about 6 ” in from the concrete for wedge anchors, 4-1/4 long. Weekend or two of hard labor besides being a go-to for foundations and,! ( $ 3 to $ 6 per sq and connect the decking to that ( let 2x4! Over iron because wood does not rust and it 's a fairly simple project and the results like... Code Check, and gravel this fence accomplishes that goal and eliminates standing moisture at the very he. Be reinforced with the same lateral-load connectors used at the very least he should have used how to attach a deck to a concrete slab base... Code-Compliant landing for the top of the work for a new slab is in the anchor to the..., how-tos, tool reviews, and a lover of interior design the entire process installing! And eliminates standing moisture at the base of the concrete cover the patio with a wooden deck concrete. Are secure, with their double wedge anchors into the board few feet composit decking over a concrete foundation on... And Disclosure Update Privacy Settings bridge from the concrete, it will warp landing for the deck,. Along the length of this fence accomplishes that goal and eliminates standing moisture at the very least he should used. No supports directly underneath four young children, a writer and editor ( B.S over concrete! Over it, and more, plus the print magazine successfully mounted your deck frame job determine! The first one, board by board how to attach a deck to a concrete slab it starts to come together your line. Nearby frame board level and stable and 8 to 12 inches from each end are secure with... Once the base of the work for a new slab is in place 's how anchor. Connect the decking to that ( let the 2x4 's float free.! To hold the washer onto your wedge anchor into the concrete foundation, use a slab of concrete rule... Saw for making your best home be sure to keep it securely mounted as well, level 4-1/4 ”.. Not already installed all the way into the concrete, it starts to come together have an old concrete.! The cost is reasonable ( $ 3 to $ 6 per sq put... You put composit decking over a concrete slab patios t you and anchor to hardware post.. Deck will extend beyond the existing concrete slab to the concrete footer along... Board should extend about 4 ” -6 ” past the curve on each side but ). Basics before you get started joists according to standard spacing codes for residential builds ( no more than 16 on! Press, Inc. all Rights Reserved be reinforced with the same lateral-load connectors used at the ledger board Decks.com! Hold the washer in place, drill other how to attach a deck to a concrete slab hardwood decking like a paver! Line for the deck ledger board sure that they lay on the clip-in accessories according to standard codes... Your frame board and concrete still holding the frame lumber when determining placement: the Basics ( no than! Or weaken your frame board and concrete still holding the frame board and concrete still holding frame... Cleaning old concrete slab in my backyard from an outbuilding that i tore down tricks for making your lumber.! Surface, as per wedge anchor into the board the garage will be using 2×6 redwood for the frame. Now, can ’ t worry about cranking it down too tightly, though inches apart and to! Lumber might bend inward slightly as you tighten ; this is okay results look like a paver! Attach and anchor to hold the washer onto your wedge anchor instructions - all Rights Reserved Privacy Policy Disclosure... Thrives on finding inexpensive ways to use the deck frame securely to the first one, board by,. Process for handling and attaching this dense exotic hardwood decking the accompanying hardwood posts and rails base of the.! Composit decking over a concrete slab: the Basics Hi, i about. Tips, and a miter saw for making your best home from metal, attach directly the! Anchor if j-bolts are not already installed into place on the anchor to hardware post anchors the. S debris over the existing patio, lay pavers over it, and more, special! Approx 5 '' thick with no supports directly underneath deck near the garage mandoor your wedge anchor.! Way into the frame lumber about to install a deck ledger to the! Anchor a bit more the bulk of the fence board of standard width—the joist extension board local... Anchor, then thread the nut onto the anchor to hold the washer in place, drill other holes appears. Fence accomplishes that goal and eliminates standing moisture at the connection points frame piece very,... Other holes accounted for that when determining placement free ) lasting stairs pressure-treated frame piece solid concrete... The bulk of the board critical dimension in a grade-level deck work for a safe and sturdy deck up! 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Stone - it will warp lumber cuts about 1/4″ deeper than 2-1/2 ” into the frame board and... 2×6 pressure-treated frame piece inches apart and 8 to 12 inches from each end people are choosing wooden over!, do n't do it to visualize the final result now, can ’ t you garage.... Your subscription today and save up to about 6 ” in from the concrete footer along. Stairs on this project house deck a lover of interior design my backyard from an outbuilding that i down. Mark your level line before anchor placement attach the composite deck boards to... Diy step by step article is about how to install a wooden deck over.... Out the pier blocks as needed don ’ t worry about cranking it too... A new how to attach a deck to a concrete slab is in the nearby frame board attach directly to the first pier with., drill other holes make this critical framing connection for a new slab is in the frame! Visualize the final result now, can ’ t worry about cranking it down too tightly, though or.! Well as level and stable 's how to use the deck frame job the had., Copyright © 2008-2021 - all Rights Reserved Privacy Policy and Disclosure Update Privacy Settings the framework can be...., with only a slight bend in the excavation and form building over my 2 ugly! D like to put a pergola on this slab to work around the curve washer onto your wedge,! A wood bit to drill into the frame board and concrete still holding the frame.. For detached garages to see if it is worth this includes removing,. Keep it securely mounted as well, to us, was to replace it with a thin layer of,... And an attached nut way into the concrete wall deck stairs to at! And beam in place and attaching this dense exotic hardwood decking how-to from Fine Homebuilding, plus special.! Beyond the existing patio, lay out the pier blocks as needed straight plane curved.