We are planning to build a deck in the next couple of weeks. We plan to use the "dek blocks" from ********** (the ones where you just set on the ground without digging into the earth). When we use the deck design tool at **********, it says we only need about 12 blocks with piers. However, when we go to the "deckplan" website, they say we need about 65 "dek blocks" without piers (just setting them on the ground). We want to know is there truly a big difference between using the blocks with piers and using the blocks without piers (in terms of stability, strength, etc.) that we would need 65 without the piers and only 12 with the piers.
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The differences are in the design. If you are going to build a deck with frost footers then you will not need 65 blocks. However, if you are going to use Dek-Blocks for a floating deck (not attached to the house) then you must go by the plan that requires you to use the 65 blocks. It all depends on what kind of deck you want to build. If the deck is going to be attached to the house then you cannot use the Dek-blocks for the deck. The reason is the decks that use the Dek-blocks rise and lower with frost heave…unless you live in a climate where the ground dose not freeze.
I built a 14x20 deck using the Dek-Blocks. My deck is about 21 inches above. I was going to build it with footers but I didn’t want to dig a lot of holes. I have some photos of the construction phase of the deck and its’ completion. You can find it at http://decks.hemmingsjones.com
Good luck on your deck.
Ice,
www.dvdhomestudios.com
www.hemmingsjones.com
I built a 14x20 deck using the Dek-Blocks. My deck is about 21 inches above. I was going to build it with footers but I didn’t want to dig a lot of holes. I have some photos of the construction phase of the deck and its’ completion. You can find it at http://decks.hemmingsjones.com
Good luck on your deck.
Ice,
www.dvdhomestudios.com
www.hemmingsjones.com
Thank you for your reply. We live in Southern California and are ground is primarily a mixture of clay. So we do not have the frost issues. We read in a deck book that if we are in a warm area with no frost, then we do not need the piers and can just set the blocks (just 12 or so vs. the 65) on the ground. We plan to verify this with a pro this weekend.
