[Corey1210]

Hi,
I have want to ground level deck in my backyard and cover a existing patio slab that is 3x8 and 5 in thick. I want the deck to be 18x11 and floating not attached to the house. I live in Southern California so I don't have to worry about frost lines or anything. I am lost on how to cover the patio slab since I only have 2/12 inches from the slab to the bottom of the theshold. I have attached pictures. Any help would be greatly appreciated!!

 

[rjniles]

Build the deck around the slab and tile the slab.

Or bust up the slab and remove it.

 

[Corey1210]

Is there no way to deck over the patio without busting it up. I am not a fan of tile.

 

[rjniles]

Attach TREX decking with Tap-cons. Will raise the slab height 3/4". Building a deck that low to the ground is going to be a long term maintenance issue. The framing will never dry out

 

[kwikfishron]

Decking is a bad idea imo. Have you thought about pavers or maybe even stamped and stained concrete?

 

[joecaption]

No way is a "deck" going to work.
That concrete under that door needs to go.
Concrete slab, stamped concrete, pavers would be the way to go.

 

[Fix'n it]

lay treated 2x4's flat, shim em for flatness (and level if you want/can). bolt em down. then put your decking.

 

[carpdad]

Sleepers are good idea, but will not stay flat. On its own, while drying out, it WILL want to curve and warp, and there goes nice flat deck.
Only lumber I can think of is 6x6 pressure treated and it will stay within its original shape - mostly.:smile: I think cedar and redwood will stay true but expensive. I know 4x4 buried redwood posts will last 40+ yrs but not long enough for me for the cost.
It will have to be built almost like you put down pavers. Undisturbed earth, pacted gravel, sleepers then the finish deck. All this because you don't have room. Burying even pt lumber is not a good idea, but you don't have much choice there. Small area and your weather conditions are your advantages.
It would be interesting to see if 4x4 pvc post sleeves can be used as sleepers. Or even schedule 40 pvc pipes on its sides.
Also smaller squares (like the pavers) would make it easy to repair, replace.

 

[ktkelly]

Build the deck around the slab and tile the slab.

Of all the suggestions, I like this one best.

It could turn what would be the normal rectangular and boring deck, into something with a bit of a flair.


Lay some brick pavers in a herringbone pattern on the slab, then surround that with the decking of your choice.

Tie in with some additional brick paver path away from the deck area, and it would have a unique look that you won't likely see elsewhere.


I'm doing something similar at our beach house.



The brick insert in an otherwise boring concrete patio will match the various pathways.

Of course, I decided to do something other than the so typical rectangular patio as well. :biggrin2:

 

[TonyHarb]

I would remove the slab and would hire a good landscaping company. Your backyard is not very big and requires very good planning, both visual and functional. I notice an air conditioning unit, that have to be played around accordingly.

Paving with stone is not always tiles. You can have a combination of both like here: http://hardscapesid.com/landscape-designer-mississauga/

Another important question you have to answer: how do you plan to use your deck/patio? Will there be a big BBQ, or just a bench, or maybe you transform it into garden. Purpose will affect the material choice.