Adding a floating deck to your Calgary home is a wonderful way to increase your outdoor living space for entertaining and relaxing in the warm months of summer and on cool fall evenings. Floating decks are functional because they increase the usable space in your yard. These decks sit away from your home, and they easily serve as small nooks for relaxing in, wonderful outdoor dining spaces and fun areas for kids to play in. Adding a floating deck to your Calgary home also improves curb appeal and can be a simple, inexpensive improvement if you are listing your house for sale and trying to attract buyers.

Floating Deck Placement

When building your Calgary floating deck, first consider where you would like to place it. Because this style of deck does not have to be attached to a structure, you can place it most anywhere in your yard. Consider building your deck in an area with some trees for shade, or find a private spot in your yard that is away from neighbors and traffic noise. Remember that your floating deck can be shifted from one part of the yard to another, so it is possible to move it as the seasons change or if a new landscaping design is in your future.

Once you have decided on the placement of your Calgary floating deck, take some time to decide on the materials you will use to create it with. Floating decks typically sit on concrete blocks rather than a layer of foundation or concrete. Pressure treated 2×4 lumber is great for placing into the grooves of your decking blocks to help maintain their vertical position. Pressure treated lumber can also be used to level your deck for framing if your yard is not perfectly level. There is a variety of material that you can use as decking boards. The most popular is lumber or composite boards. Lumber is a more economical option, but it needs to be stained regularly in order to increase the longevity of your deck. Composite material costs more, but it is typically longer lasting and never needs to be stained. Your final decision will be based on the look your hope to achieve and your budget for the project.

The Basics of creating a Floating Deck

Create your deck by laying your concrete footers in a way that provides for a level space. Use treated lumber to lift blocks in areas that are not 100-percent level. After placing your blocks, place 2×4 lumber in the grooves to ensure vertical positioning. When this is done, it is important to carefully measure to ensure the initial exterior frame is completely square. Next place your interior frame, secure it with decking screws and lay the top decking boards.

Building a floating deck for your Calvary home should take about two weekends and a bit of do-it-yourself skill. After you are done, use some landscaping pavers, decorative accents and a few plants to finish off the space and give your family an outdoor area to enjoy throughout the year.