How to build low-level deck over cement slab?

[JN1]

I would like to build a deck/ flat surface area over the exisiting cement slab if possible. The space is 2850 wide, 6000 long. It was the original driveway leading to the garage. Now I wish to have an area that is flat, so we can have an outdoor dining table on it. There is  difference in the fall, needing to provide an extra 95mm coverage at the end. Could I use a leveller and then tiler over the whole area? Or would it be possible to lay wood over it?

[EricL]

Hello @JN1 

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. It's sensational to have you join us, and thanks for sharing your question about building a low-level deck.

I suggest having a look at these guides - How to build a low-level deck by @Adam_W and How to build a deck by @MitchellMc. These guides will give you an idea of how you can build your decking frame. Another good example is Low-level composite deck over concrete and soil by @oninpena. It's an excellent representation of how to build a single level deck that is supported with angle brackets. This decking project should give you ideas of how you can build a decking frame over the concrete pad and still compensate for the angled fall.

Once you've had a look at the guides, I suggest drawing up a basic decking frame and deciding what will be holding it from the ground. 

Here is a link for ideas and inspiration:  Top 10 most popular deck projects

Let me call on our experienced members @Dave-1 and @Nailbag for their recommendations.

If you have any other questions we can help with, please let us know.

Eric

[Dave-1]

Morning @JN1 

Id want the area to be flat as well Tho this one may be a hard one to do because of the minimal height on the high side. I do have an idea but its really outside the normal way id suggest and I really do not know how good it would be long term.

First up I would use a composite decking, it wont rot and as there will be minimal space between the boards and the concrete near the garage door for air flow.

I have been following this mob https://www.replas.com.au/ in the great blue F social media pages and really like how their products work, not keen on plastic but its recyled. So my proposal to keep your deck as low as possible is to use this plastic lengths as the supports to attach the composite boards to. Mounted length wise from garage to pool fence and you will have to rip them diagonally to accomodate teh fall of your concrete slab. Then you will have a flat surface to mount the boards. You also could use spacers to fit under the supports instead of ripping the plastic (less plastic swarf)

I take it that that gravel drain next to your pool fence drains nicely? If not maybe plumb something in to drain it to a location you want.

I would also give a wide "edge" to the deck area like a photo frame (120mm or higher), that way you can transition the garage level to the decking as tidy as possible. 

Dave

[Nailbag]

I think the challenge @JN1 is dealing with the reducing fall of the concrete back to the house.

I would consider increasing the height at the house end to something that was within standard timber dimensions and step it up over the current pool deck. This would mean removing and refitting the glass balustrades on to the new deck to comply with pool fence regs.

Something like below and the4n follow one of the many low lying deck projects that @EricL has linked to.

 Nailbag