Build a Deck on a Cement Patio
Lay Out and Construct an Outdoor Area for Entertaining
Give your home's concrete patio a new look by building a wood deck on it. Ideas for adding multi-levels, seating, storage spaces, and hand rails. Provides curb appeal.
Build a Deck on a Cement Patio
Do you have a cement patio but want to upgrade to a wood deck? You can do it easily. If your present cement patio is in good shape and relatively level your work is straightforward. This is a great alternative to covering your patio with ceramic or porcelain tile.
Your home improvement center should stock cement bell-bottom supports which have brackets secured to them to accept the deck's beams. You'll need to set them on the patio, properly spaced, and nail the beams to the brackets.
After determining the initial deck design, get out pencil and paper and determine the lumber size and spacing. Use pressure treated wood and select only the straightest boards. This article explains the quickest way to build a deck on a cement patio.
Deck-Building Tools
- Hammer or nail gun
- Nails
- Circular saw
- Tape measure
- Laser for leveling or a water level
- Shovel
Extending the Wood Deck Beyond the Patio
It is likely that you need a larger deck than your present cement patio. This just involves a little more work. You will install 4” X 4”post footings and attach brackets to them. When digging footings for the posts, dig in line with the posts you set on your cement patio. Be very careful not to cut any buried phone, cable lines, ect.
Use a minimum of one sack of concrete per post. Either keep them level with the supports on the patio or raise them if your deck is to be multi-level. It's important to get the deck post hole layout square.
Install the Floor Beams, Joists and Decking
After your footings are all laid out, set in the beams. As mentioned above, be sure to use pressure treated boards or one of the new materials that are designed for decks. The joists run perpendicular to the beams.
When all your joists are installed, start cutting and nailing the decking. These can be 2” X 6”'s. Don't get them too close, leave about 1/4” between every board. This allows for air flow and a way for water to drain.
Finishing the Deck
Once the whole deck is complete, why not consider some embellishments? Handrails are a nice touch that enhance safety.
How about building benches around the sides of your deck? You can choose simple benches or ones with hinges that allow for storage space.
Finally, to protect your new deck it is important to seal it. Do not do this immediately if you used pressure treated lumber because it needs to dry out. One popular variation is to use a sealer that has a stain in it. The deck should be resealed periodically although the time interval depends on where you live.
What's left? A barbecue pit!
