Deck flush with ground level - build questions?

Holmz

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After getting a quote on concreting the Mrs said, "I have an idea", and proceeded to hand-wave about a deck flush with the ground and dichonrda around it.

So I am envisioning a slab adjacent to the house for ~5'.
The dirt/grass, then a rectangular footing that is at the same level as the slab next to the house with the inside hollowed out to about ~10" deep.
There is a problem here with 'white ants' which I believe translates to American English as termites.
So at the bottom on the hollowed out section some concrete footings to place risers onto that hold steel C-channel 2x8s.
The on top of the C-beam either LPE or plastic looking wood, or merenti which is an Indonesian mahogany.
So basically the bottom of the pit will be open for drainage...

I have search the forum and got some tid-bits.
such as:
1 http://festoolownersgroup.com/member-projects/domino-for-deck/msg327256/#msg327256
2 http://festoolownersgroup.com/building-materials/school-me-on-ipe-decking/msg269514/#msg269514
3 http://festoolownersgroup.com/member-projects/deck-build-35618/msg347838/#msg347838
4 http://festoolownersgroup.com/member-projects/free-standing-deck-or-attached/msg297722/#msg297722
5 http://festoolownersgroup.com/festool-tools-accessories/hidden-fasteners-for-deck/msg263209/#msg263209
6 http://www.awc.org/publications/DCA/DCA6/DCA6-09.pdf

Size is ~10' by 13' (3x4M).

The general questions are:
1) Which wood should I use? LPE (if I can even find it) or Plastic imitation wood planks, or merenti?
2) How to hold it down? Just chalk line and counter-sunk/screwed? or  ???
3) If wood the the finish?

I am anticipating 4 sections so that I can build them, and then wrestle them into the hole with a couple of friends and a case of beer.
Which means 16 footings with adjusters for the level... Or maybe 3 in parallel? Or I do it in 1 and then wrestle it into the hole with levers??

Eventually I will probably have 4 posts go up to hold up a pergola with a steel piece to interface into the vertical 4x4s...

There are a bunch of other concerns such as watering the dichondra without getting water all over the deck and the slab near the house. But generally there is little rain here and no snow.
 
What you are describing seems like a LOT more expense and greater unknowns that adding a concrete deck.
Tinker
 
Tinker said:
What you are describing seems like a LOT more expense and greater unknowns that adding a concrete deck.
Tinker

^That^ makes sense when read it.
SHMBO likes wooden decks.

We'll see what the other quote and the paver option comes in at.
 
If I had this problem, I'd try to convince my wife to accept a concrete pad with an overlay of beautiful cut stone slabs. We did this and love the look. A second option would be the concrete pad with a wood overlay. I'd choose Ipe. It is said to be termite proof.
 
If your dead set on a flush wooden deck id just dig out the whole square deep enough to recess the 2x8 or 10 plus deep enough to add drainage. Dig the footings 32" deeper than that and grade the yard so water drains away from the pit. Pull enough dirt away from the fascia board that it's not sitting in the ground rotting and call it a day.
 
Unless you have critters DownUnder that prefer living under concrete pads, I think you should consider the stone over, or wood over concrete mentioned above.  Those are fool proof and time proven solutions.  The wood level with ground AND over a hole in the ground is a problem looking to happen. And it will happen in quantity.
Tinker
 
Not a deck product made, (natural or manmade) that will allow you to build a deck flush with the ground. All of them require an air space for drying. You'll end up with an 18" deep cesspool under the deck.

Tom
 
>>>There are a bunch of other concerns such as watering the dichondra without getting water all over the deck and the slab near the house. But generally there is little rain here and no snow.
 
Tinker said:
>>>There are a bunch of other concerns such as watering the dichondra without getting water all over the deck and the slab near the house. But generally there is little rain here and no snow.
 
Tom, I think that what he is proposing to build could be called a patio as it is going to be flush with the ground level. I do agree with you for the materials to be used below ground will end up well below grade sooner than later.  Even if he puts a steel frame under (I see in another thread that the OP is looking to find the proper jig saw blades to cut steel) both wood and steel will eventually turn to disaster.  I am not debating the use of deck vs patio. I think both you and I agree on the materials to be used or not used. From the subject matter as it was presented, i don't think the OP fully understands the difference. I just hope he is paying attention.
Tinker
 
It is the thread title that lead to my post.

This is what happens when to much DIY shows are watched.

Not to start trouble in the OP's household, when my wife decides to tell me what or how when it comes to our home I just tell her when she has as much knowledge and experience as I do she can tell me what to do. Sounds rude but there are times things need to be done a certain way.

Tom
 
Sometimes a bad idea is just a bad idea even if you can figure out a way to make it happen. 

This is one of those times.  ;)
 
OK... You guys have earned your pay today.
Thanks!

I have been thinking even with steel "C" beams it seemed dodgy, so I am in a holding pattern awaiting more quotes.

tjbnwi said:
It is the thread title that lead to my post.

This is what happens when to much DIY shows are watched.

Not to start trouble in the OP's household, when my wife decides to tell me what or how when it comes to our home I just tell her when she has as much knowledge and experience as I do she can tell me what to do. Sounds rude but there are times things need to be done a certain way.

Tom

Well I generally value her ability to come up with ideas.
And I am fine with needing to be told that an idea is stupid.

I will transition onto the gates. She has two for me to do, and that is more straight forward ;)

Thanks All.
 
Holmz said:
OK... You guys have earned your pay today.
Thanks!

I have been thinking even with steel "C" beams it seemed dodgy, so I am in a holding pattern awaiting more quotes.

tjbnwi said:
It is the thread title that lead to my post.

This is what happens when to much DIY shows are watched.

Not to start trouble in the OP's household, when my wife decides to tell me what or how when it comes to our home I just tell her when she has as much knowledge and experience as I do she can tell me what to do. Sounds rude but there are times things need to be done a certain way.

Tom

Well I generally value her ability to come up with ideas.
And I am fine with needing to be told that an idea is stupid.
I will transition onto the gates. She has two for me to do, and that is more straight forward ;)

Thanks All.

But is your wife fine with needing to be told an idea is stupid? [oops] [poke]
 
greg mann said:
...
But is your wife fine with needing to be told an idea is stupid? [oops] [poke]

Since most people associate the idea being stupid with themselves being stupid, I decided to change the wording.  [mad]

Since I did not have an out of body experience where I looked down and saw my body with yellow police tape outlining it and an iron frying pan covered in blood next to it, I think I made a good choice of the wording.  8)

 
Holmz said:
greg mann said:
...
But is your wife fine with needing to be told an idea is stupid? [oops] [poke]

Since most people associate the idea being stupid with themselves being stupid, I decided to change the wording.  [mad]

Since I did not have an out of body experience where I looked down and saw my body with yellow police tape outlining it and an iron frying pan covered in blood next to it, I think I made a good choice of the wording.  8)

Holmz, When you put a "?" in your thread ID, it did not show stupidity.  I suspected that you had an idea the idea was maybe not a great idea.  those of us who tried to explain the problem you might end up with said it was a bad idea.  when one asks a question about how to do something, it is never stupid to ask.  AND, I like your sense of humor. I'm glad you did not send a pic of a bloody frying pan.
Tinker
 
Tinker said:
... I'm glad you did not send a pic of a bloody frying pan.
Tinker

Thanks Tinker.
You've helped me to set my Avatar picture.
;)
 
Speaking from experience..........i was pretty sure you would choose your words carefully. On the other hand, I've heard that word regarding my ideas quite often. [embarassed]
 
greg mann said:
Speaking from experience..........i was pretty sure you would choose your words carefully. On the other hand, I've heard that word regarding my ideas quite often. [embarassed]

Are you in the UP? or where at?
My daughter was headed to Lancing but decided against Michigan state in the end.

Tinker said:
[thumbs up]

tangled_____frying_pan_by_disgrace_angel369-d398z19.jpg
 
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