Before the decks and patios were installed

Before there are decks and patios, there is just empty green space with no definition just waiting for a transformation. And, after several evolving variations we ended up with perfect entertaining area for relaxation.

Stone Retaining Wall

Our property has a lot of natural boulders and stone. We decided to utilize their natural beauty for a border wall which also serves as a retaining wall to level the patio on the sloped ground.

Gravel Patio underlayment

After the retaining/border wall was in place, we then laid down an underlayment consisting of a heavy weed barrier cloth to prevent future growth where you don’t want it. You may still get some stray growth popping thru once in a while but very manageable.

Gravel

After the weed cloth is laid, we chose to go with 1/4 stone for the gravel patio. We had 20 yards of stone delivered to the property and then dispersed it. We used some of it on the parking area as well. It was quite a job!

Gravel Patio

After all that, we had a 29 foot by 12 foot gravel patio as seen below. That’s 348 sq feet of patio space for grilling and chilling.

The back door is raised off of the ground and had a few rocks being used as stairs. Very unstable! An accident waiting to happed. Something needed to be done and it was decided that a raised deck to walk out onto from the back door would be amazing.

Raised Deck framing

With the old garden shed still in place, the new raised deck was designed to sit on top of the ground using 11.5in. x 8in. concrete deck blocks instead of digging and pouring footings into the ground. They provide plenty of support for the 4×4 posts used to hold up the framing for the new deck. Therefore the deck is not attached to the house classifying it a floating deck. Framing was constructed with 2×12 pressure treated lumber.

Raised Floating Deck

Then, 2×12 floor joists were installed at 12in. on center spacing (which is the requirement for composite decking) then topped with decking. When using wood decking, you can go to a 16in. on center spacing. We decided to over build giving us an extra solid deck. You may want to check your local building codes because in many areas this type of construction does not require a permit. The Hight of the new deck called for 2 step stairs to be installed using standard pressure treated stair risers and decking planks. To start, we placed stairs going down to the gravel patio and another going down to the back yard.

As wonderful as the gravel patio was, after a couple of years of gravel in our shoes and tracking it into the house, not to mention the sinking furniture, we decided that we would get much more use out of a wooden deck. That being said, we decided on another floating deck right on top of the gravel patio. No deck blocks or posts, just direct contact, pressure treated framing over the existing patio.

Floating Deck construction

Camo Edge Deck Screws

For the attachment of the decking this time, we found an innovative way of attachment. Camo Edge Deck Screws leave no visible screw heads and provide a smooth deck surface. Simply amazing!

Floating Deck

This time, because of the support of the ground, we went with pressure treated 2×4 framing topped with wood decking planks. It provided a very solid deck for entertaining. Grilling and chilling at it’s best!

Gazebos for Decks and Patios

When the gravel patio was in place, we bought a Gazebo and installed it on the raised portion of the deck. After the we covered the gravel patio with the floating wood deck, we moved the Gazebo down to it’s new home on the lower deck. It is a wonderful space to read a book or have a cup of coffee any time of the day. We installed a hanging electric chandelier to illuminate those late evenings making chilling at any time of the day a pleasure.

Along with the Gazebo, we placed a couple of umbrellas on the deck for refuge from the sun. We placed one free standing umbrella over a conversation set shown in the right photo and another one over the rectangular table at the top of the deck as shown in the left photo. Get more information on this amazing umbrella here:

Decks and Patios Project After Completion

After the old garden shed was demolished, the raised deck was expanded into the space that once was occupied by the garden shed and another set of stairs was installed. Decks and Patios provide a desirable and useful outdoor living space to be enjoyed by every one. And, it also enhances a homes value.

Also check out what we did for a front porch. It truly changed the front of the house! Go here to see what we did: