![How to Build a Floating Deck How to Build a Floating Deck](https://contentgrid.homedepot-static.com/hdus/en_US/DTCCOMNEW/Articles/how-to-build-a-floating-deck-hero.jpg)
![Ashley Basnight contributorImage](https://contentgrid.homedepot-static.com/hdus/en_US/DTCCOMNEW/Articles/ashley-basnight-headshot.jpg)
A Note From The Home Depot
Ashley Basnight, of Handmade Haven, loves to entertain, but didn’t have a great backyard space to host people. Being the avid DIYer she is, Ashley built her own floating deck!
Read on to see how Ashley created a backyard oasis perfect for entertaining her guests and find out how to build a floating deck and DIY chevron privacy wall.
5 Steps to the Perfect Backyard: Build a Floating Deck With a DIY Chevron Privacy Wall
Everyone dreams of their own backyard oasis, so I was super excited to build a floating deck with a DIY chevron privacy wall! My backyard was pretty sad, and for a girl who loves to entertain, I knew this DIY floating deck would be the perfect project for me!
Let’s take a look at how my backyard looked before the deck. I think we can all agree that this project was a much-needed addition to my home.
![Empty backyard before floating deck Empty backyard before floating deck](https://contentgrid.homedepot-static.com/hdus/en_US/DTCCOMNEW/Articles/how-to-build-a-floating-deck-image-1.jpg)
If you’re wondering if you can build a floating deck yourself, you can! With no experience at all, I built this floating deck on my own and I’m loving the results.
Step 1: Laying the Foundation
![Foundation being laid for floating deck Foundation being laid for floating deck](https://contentgrid.homedepot-static.com/hdus/en_US/DTCCOMNEW/Articles/how-to-build-a-floating-deck-image-2.jpg)
This first step was the most labor intensive step, laying the foundation. With the use of deck blocks and pavor base I laid five 2 x 8 pressure-treated lumber beams down and then connected them together with 4 x 4 posts and 2 x 8 joists using Simpson Strongtie connector brackets and galavenized nails. I used my ridgid palm nailer to secure the brackets and I must say, that palm nailer was a life saver; I couldn’t imagine hammering all those nails in with a hammer.
![Foundation being laid for floating deck Foundation being laid for floating deck](https://contentgrid.homedepot-static.com/hdus/en_US/DTCCOMNEW/Articles/how-to-build-a-floating-deck-image-3.jpg)
It is very important to be meticulous as possible on this step; any imperfections in the foundation will show through on your final product. Using a level, I made sure that every part of the foundation was level. My deck was a little more complicating due to it being on a slightly sloped backyard, but with time and patience I got everything level.
Click here for the in-depth blog post and video tutorial on how I laid the foundation.
Step 2: DIY Chevron Privacy Wall
![Chevron privacy wall added on side of foundation Chevron privacy wall added on side of foundation](https://contentgrid.homedepot-static.com/hdus/en_US/DTCCOMNEW/Articles/how-to-build-a-floating-deck-image-4.jpg)
I knew I wanted some kind of privacy wall for my floating deck because the fence just didn’t give me enough privacy. I am pancaked between two houses so this wall just gives a feel of a more intimate deck area.
First, I started by securing four 4 x 4 pressure treated post to the foundation of the deck using crown bolts. Once the posts were secure I used 1 x 6 pressure treated lumber to create the chevron privacy wall. I built it section be section and secured the 1 x 6 pressure treated lumber with 3 in. galvanized nails using my palm nailer.
Click here for the in-depth tutorial on how I built this chevron privacy wall.
Step 3: Laying the Deck Boards
![Laying deck boards on foundation Laying deck boards on foundation](https://contentgrid.homedepot-static.com/hdus/en_US/DTCCOMNEW/Articles/how-to-build-a-floating-deck-image-5.jpg)
I ended up going with New Tech Wood Composite Decking for the top because I really wanted my patio to feel like a getaway area and I’m glad I went with it. These composite decking boards really make the deck look like it was done by a professional (humble brag).
![Laying deck boards on foundation Laying deck boards on foundation](https://contentgrid.homedepot-static.com/hdus/en_US/DTCCOMNEW/Articles/how-to-build-a-floating-deck-image-6.jpg)
To secure the decking down I used UltraShield Plastic T Clip Hidden Fasteners. This made the process really simple and I really love that the t clips are hidden. No ugly screw heads on the top of the boards. I just screwed the fasteners into each joist and the boards slide right on the clips.
Step 4: Painting the Floating Deck
![Privacy walls painted black Privacy walls painted black](https://contentgrid.homedepot-static.com/hdus/en_US/DTCCOMNEW/Articles/how-to-build-a-floating-deck-image-7.jpg)
I was excited to get to this phase of the deck done because I knew it meant I was that much closer to finishing. I went back and forth on whether to stain or paint my deck and I finally decided to just take a risk and go for black. So glad I did! I used Behr Waterproofing Stain and Sealer Solid Color in the color slate. It’s called stain but the solid color is more of a paint. If you want more of a stain, you can get your color as a semi-transparent.
![Graco Magnum X5 machine Graco Magnum X5 machine](https://contentgrid.homedepot-static.com/hdus/en_US/DTCCOMNEW/Articles/how-to-build-a-floating-deck-image-8.jpg)
I applied the paint using the Graco Magnum X5 machine and man, oh man, did this baby perform. I sprayed in small sections and then went back over the paint with a brush. This sprayer definitely cut my spray time down in half and the cleanup didn’t take too long.
![Patio furniture on floating deck Patio furniture on floating deck](https://contentgrid.homedepot-static.com/hdus/en_US/DTCCOMNEW/Articles/how-to-build-a-floating-deck-image-9.jpg)
The final result was breath-taking.
![Patio furniture on floating deck Patio furniture on floating deck](https://contentgrid.homedepot-static.com/hdus/en_US/DTCCOMNEW/Articles/how-to-build-a-floating-deck-image-10.jpg)
Finishing the painting was such a fulfilling moment because I knew I had actually pulled it off.
Click here to see the in-depth blog post and video tutorial on how I painted my deck and laid the decking boards.
Step 5: Styling the Deck
![Patio furniture and outdoor decor on floating deck Patio furniture and outdoor decor on floating deck](https://contentgrid.homedepot-static.com/hdus/en_US/DTCCOMNEW/Articles/how-to-build-a-floating-deck-image-11.jpg)
The best and final part was styling the deck and enjoying all of the hard work.
Seating
![Patio furniture and outdoor decor on floating deck Patio furniture and outdoor decor on floating deck](https://contentgrid.homedepot-static.com/hdus/en_US/DTCCOMNEW/Articles/how-to-build-a-floating-deck-image-12.jpg)
With any backyard oasis, you need plenty of seating, so I knew I wanted a patio sectional that was both stylish and comfortable, so I went with this Beverly 5 –Piece Patio Sectional Seating Set. What sold me on this one was the fact that you can buy additional seats to make it as big as you want. I will definitely be buying some add ons in the near future.
To make the sectional pop I used some colorful pillows and added some contrast with these Wicker Lattice Outdoor Throw Pillows.
You can never have enough places to sit, especially on a 16 ft. x 21 ft. deck, so I got this ottoman pouf for extra seating. I love that you can just move it around anywhere. Makes the perfect deck addition and even better Home Depot has the matching Sand-Geo Throw pillows to tie it all together.
Floating Deck Extras
![Patio furniture and outdoor decor on floating deck Patio furniture and outdoor decor on floating deck](https://contentgrid.homedepot-static.com/hdus/en_US/DTCCOMNEW/Articles/how-to-build-a-floating-deck-image-13.jpg)
I absolutely love the wicker on Beverly Patio sectional and to really tie in the sectional I placed this Round Metal Garden Stool in Chalk beside it to serve as an outdoor end table.
![Patio furniture and outdoor decor on floating deck Patio furniture and outdoor decor on floating deck](https://contentgrid.homedepot-static.com/hdus/en_US/DTCCOMNEW/Articles/how-to-build-a-floating-deck-image-14.jpg)
Before I even started to build a floating deck I knew I wanted this Hampton Bay 11 ft. LED Offset Patio Umbrella. I am in love. It gives off so much shade for my new deck and gives the deck that cozy feel.
![Patio furniture and outdoor decor on floating deck Patio furniture and outdoor decor on floating deck](https://contentgrid.homedepot-static.com/hdus/en_US/DTCCOMNEW/Articles/how-to-build-a-floating-deck-image-15.jpg)
And speaking of cozy, I was happy to move my AZ Patio 38 in. Decorative Steel Fire Pit onto my deck for the upcoming winter months. This fire pit was surprisingly bigger than I had anticipated when I purchased it a while back but the perfect addition for my new deck.
Lighting
![Patio furniture and outdoor decor on floating deck at night Patio furniture and outdoor decor on floating deck at night](https://contentgrid.homedepot-static.com/hdus/en_US/DTCCOMNEW/Articles/how-to-build-a-floating-deck-image-16.jpg)
In order to enjoy my deck after dark I hung up some Solar Powered Black Nautical String Lights for some deck lighting. I love that these lights are solar so I don’t have to worry about plugging them in.
![Patio furniture and outdoor decor on floating deck at night Patio furniture and outdoor decor on floating deck at night](https://contentgrid.homedepot-static.com/hdus/en_US/DTCCOMNEW/Articles/how-to-build-a-floating-deck-image-17.jpg)
I was also excited to learn that the Hampton Bay 11-ft. LED Offset Patio Umbrella has solar LED lights. This umbrella lights up the night sky like no other and I love it. The first day I took it out of the box, with some direct sunlight, she was lit up that same night.
![Patio furniture and outdoor decor on floating deck at night Patio furniture and outdoor decor on floating deck at night](https://contentgrid.homedepot-static.com/hdus/en_US/DTCCOMNEW/Articles/how-to-build-a-floating-deck-image-18.jpg)
Even though the fire pit isn’t necessarily a light, cranking it up definitely brings some illumination to the deck and the warm feeling just ties it all in.
![Patio furniture and outdoor decor on floating deck Patio furniture and outdoor decor on floating deck](https://contentgrid.homedepot-static.com/hdus/en_US/DTCCOMNEW/Articles/how-to-build-a-floating-deck-image-19.jpg)
Overall this project was lots of fun, and after some sore muscles and some crazy events, I am happy to be able to say I successfully completed this floating deck! Now it’s time to go enjoy it!
Build a floating deck with lumber at The Home Depot. Follow our Outdoor Living board on Pinterest for more inspiration.