Adding a deck to your house can be a great way to add outdoor space for a low cost. If you’re looking to cut costs even further, you can even do this yourself with the help of some special equipment. Before deciding to take on this project on your own, though, you should know all the steps it takes so you’re sure you can complete the project to the end. Whether it’s an elevated concrete deck or a ground level one, the process is fairly similar.
Plan It
The first step to any building project is to get a meticulous plan down on paper, complete with measurements and a list of materials. This helps to ensure you don’t hit snags during the project when it’s too late to fix them. You’ll need a concrete mixer to pour the cement; you can probably rent most of them through your local home development store. Other than that, you’ll need some wood for the frame, gravel, a shovel, concrete, and a texture mat. After you have all of your tools ready, you can map out the area you want to be your deck. Then, you need to dig about six inches into the ground in that area to get ready to lay the foundation for your new deck.
Build It
Add the wood around the edges of the area you dug out to keep your materials in the space. Next, you’ll want to lay about two inches of gravel as a foundation that helps to protect the deck against expansion and contraction as the temperature fluctuates. Finally, you can pour your mixed concrete and add your desired texture with a map or a push broom.
Building a concrete deck can be a fun project and an easy way to add a new space to your home!
