Free-standing doesn't mean the deck can't be attached to the house, it just means that the deck frame must be self-supporting. You can still install a couple bolts or screws into the house frame – just as long as the deck has footings all around.

Can you attach a deck to your house?

For my money, I'd consider building an attached deck right next to your house, on proper footings, but which is free-standing and not actually connected to your home. That way, you'll avoid any problems of water infiltration in your home. ... If your deck is attached to your home, you will need one.

Is a floating deck attached to house?

Because a floating deck isn't attached directly to your home, it can't pull away and damage the exterior of your house if it's damaged by high winds or other forces of nature. Easier to build for the DIY types. Since the feature isn't directly attached to your home, you won't need as much skill to build one yourself.

Do floating decks need footings?

When it comes to floating decks, which are decks that are built very close to the ground, they don't need any sort of footing. You can either use small concrete blocks and planks, or you can use a post that sets into a pre-formed hole.

Does a wood deck need to be attached to the house?

Without any solid attachment a house, your deck will sway and wobble. It needs bracing, especially if it is high off the ground.

How To Plan For Building A Deck: Freestanding vs. Attached

Will a floating deck move?

By very definition, a floating deck will move. Sitting on the surface of the ground, it is as stable as the ground beneath it. A floating deck's movement is often connected to seasonal freezing and thawing by can also be caused by other factors. ... If a floating deck has good support, it will move very little.

How close can a floating deck be to the house?

For a deck to be free standing it really must be unattached to any other structure like a house. It can be within 3/4" to 1" from the siding or exterior of the house and appear like it is connected to an untrained eye but it is truly freely standing from the house.

What is a freestanding deck?

A freestanding deck is a beautiful addition to your home's backyard landscape. This type of deck structure is self-supported and not directly attached to your home. It's often the most practical choice for homes with brick or stucco exterior walls, which can make installing ledger boards difficult.

Is a floating deck considered a permanent structure?

Floating decks, on the other hand, sit low to the ground and actually appear to float on two or more sides, depending on the joist system design. They rely on a structural base that's not permanently fixed in the ground, classifying them in most communities as personal property instead of real estate.

How much weight can a floating deck hold?

A floating deck designed by code can hold a minimum of 50 lbs per square foot. Calculated as 20% being dead weight, the mass of the deck itself. The other 80% or 40 lbs is the weight you can have on the deck, people, furniture, dogs, etc.

How high can a freestanding deck be?

In the United States, a floating deck's maximum height is 30″ above grade if not attached to a house or in front of an egress door. In Canada, a floating deck can be no taller than 24″ (0.6m) above grade.

What is a floating deck?

A floating deck, also called a free standing deck, is simply a deck that's not attached to any structure, including (of course) your house. ... Instead, you can put your deck's structural members — posts, girders, and joists — on precast pier blocks set directly in the ground.

Can you attach a deck to a brick house?

You should never attach a deck to a brick wall. ... Under many building code authorities, even connecting through the brick to the framing behind is not acceptable. The brick veneer must have a minimum of a 1-inch air space between the brick and the framing, but it can be up to 4.5".

Is a freestanding deck better?

A freestanding deck is better than an attached deck in that water remains away from the house. With no ledger attached to the house, water will not become trapped against the house, possibly rotting the side of the house and deck. A freestanding deck gapped away from the house; water will freely flow off the deck.

How do you support a floating deck?

Floating decks can be set directly on the ground or, preferably, a bed of gravel. But it's best to support the deck on concrete blocks. This keeps the wood off the ground and away from moisture so the wood stays drier and lasts longer.

How much does it cost to build a 12x12 floating deck?

A 12 x12 deck can range in cost from $2 200 to $13 000, but the average will be $6 000. Costing $40 a square foot but can be as little as $15 or as high as $85, depending on the deck's features. A pressure treated deck is the most economical, with composite being the more expansive option.

How do you support a free standing deck?

Diagonal decking and sway bracing installed under the joists can reduce racking forces. Buried support posts can help brace the deck and resist uplift from strong winds that could tip a freestanding deck over.

How do I stop my free standing deck from swaying?

How to Brace a Swaying Deck. All decks using horizontal decking should have a diagonal sway brace to prevent racking. You may install a metal "T" brace, which is a long metal strip diagonally across the top of the joists, or install a diagonal deck board across the bottom of the deck frame.

How do I stop my deck from swaying?

While diagonal bracing from your deck's columns to beams is a sure way to promote structural integrity and prevent movement, you can also install bracing underneath a deck to stop the sway.