Building a deck over a shed question

[remagenman]

About 2 years ago I built a 8x8 she-shed, lean to style. I'm thinking of building a deck above it, why?, because it'll give us a great view the higher it is. Nothing fancy, just space for 2 chairs.

Would you tie into the existing shed or build a platform above it? I was also thinking of tying into the existing deck and building a freestanding high deck? So you would step off the deck and ladder up to the deck type of idea.

Just spit-balling ideas. Thanks.

 

[Youngandfree]

Partially depends on how you built the she shed.

 

[jack stand]

Got any big trees? I've seen some pretty cool tree decks.
Search for some images on the web.

 

[firebirdparts]

I don’t think you want to penetrate the roof of the shed. Make it free standing.

 

[jrsavoie]

I'd definitely consider adding stairs.

You never know when something might happen to impede your use of the ladder.

I always preferred ladders to stairs. But anymore, I need stairs.

I also tore up both shoulders and one handing ladders isn't OSHA safe.

Climbing one handed is Not highly recommended.

 

[jshillin]

I would keep it separate and I'd definitely build stairs. I'd build it to make it easy to access to make it use it more often. If it were me, I'd even build it so I could add a roof over it

 

[CraigStu]

Where is the shed and the deck? I am thinking that a deck over a shed might look a little weird. But a two level deck would look good to my eyes. A pic showing both would be great.

 

[mike93lx]

A ship's ladder is a great balance between the safety of stairs with the compactness of a ladder. I used one for my kids treehouse and it's great. Handholds the whole way up and wider treads than a ladder

 

[acer66]

Yeah pics would be helpful and also location just in case there are earthquakes etc..

 

[K'ledgeBldr]

Personally, I think you’re off your rocker!
But, if you insist use Skylift kits-

SkyLift Hardware Roof Riser System

Builder's Hardware Support for Patio Cover, Pergola, Solar & Shade Sail Outdoor Living Structures. Professionally Engineered in all 50 States and University Tested.

www.skylifthardware.com

I have used these a couple of times for deck roofs- work great, used standard plumbing boots (not theirs).

Doing stairs is definitely SAFER than a ladder. But a staircase would probably look like some monstrosity on such a small structure- have you thought about a spiral stair unit?

 

[strutaeng]

Building a deck on top of a conventionally-framed shed? (What's a she-shed? Or is that a typo?)

Unless you designed the shed to have a 1200 lb point load from floor deck dead load and live load (just making up numbers here, but wouldn't be surprised if that's what a modest deck would actually have), probably not.

Use independent posts for the deck, and build it over the shed.

 

[K'ledgeBldr]

(What's a she-shed? Or is that a typo?)

That’s funny!
Where have you been???

 

[ItsNemo]

I have my shed under my deck, basement is a walkout, so deck comes off the main floor already 8-10 feet off the ground. Poured a slab underneath, built a shed with a corrugated roof (though the deck has drainage underneath), all completely separate.

 

[bluedog225]

This stuff is interesting. It does not look like it is tied down. Unfortunately, it looks like it all dealer installed, not diy.

 

[cvairwerks]

That Bison stuff is neat but way pricey. Last time I looked at it, about 18$ a square foot for materials.

 

[remagenman]

Partially depends on how you built the she shed.

It's pretty sturdy

Building a deck on top of a conventionally-framed shed? (What's a she-shed? Or is that a typo?)

Unless you designed the shed to have a 1200 lb point load from floor deck dead load and live load (just making up numbers here, but wouldn't be surprised if that's what a modest deck would actually have), probably not.

Use independent posts for the deck, and build it over the shed.

Around here they charge up to $25k for a 8x8 build, crazy. This is what mine looks like, not this pretty but overall design.


Now looking at it I'll probably build a separate structure with a staircase idea. Putting a deck above it will make it ugly I think.

 

[rsanter]

How about you build another shed and incorporate the deck?

You can build it as a fort, and call it a HE-shed

 

[remagenman]

How about you build another shed and incorporate the deck?

You can build it as a fort, and call it a HE-shed

This is what I was thinking, use the deck as a landing for the fort. I'm trying to do this as cheaply/sturdy as possible, nothing fancy, so function before fashion. Now I have to worry about permits but I'm thinking of a rather ask for forgiveness than permission type of situation. Where not moving anytime soon.

 

[Joemctag]

I'd definitely consider adding stairs.

You never know when something might happen to impede your use of the ladder.

I always preferred ladders to stairs. But anymore, I need stairs.

I also tore up both shoulders and one handing ladders isn't OSHA safe.

Climbing one handed is Not highly recommended.

If you do use a ladder, DO NOT have it vertical. Dangerous, not efficient to climb, can’t carry things. Best to buy one, even use a section of an extension ladder. Then the rungs will be non-skid.
If you build a stair, make sure it has grippable handrails. A lot, if not most, do not. A 2x4 flat is not grippable. Pipe or tube is good.

 

[CraigStu]

I built a deck once w/o a permit. When they came to look at it, the deck got it's permit. But they also said I had too much impermeable surface because I had covered a 10'x35' area w/ gravel to park out boat on. Having someone remove the gravel and replace w/ topsoil cost more than the deck.

 

[Youngandfree]

I built a deck once w/o a permit. When they came to look at it, the deck got it's permit. But they also said I had too much impermeable surface because I had covered a 10'x35' area w/ gravel to park out boat on. Having someone remove the gravel and replace w/ topsoil cost more than the deck.

When did gravel become impermeable?

ETA: Roanoke city isn't even that bad.

 

[Zeke]

When did gravel become impermeable?

Having to remove that was ridiculous.

 

[mike93lx]

Guess it depends on what was done for a sub base

 

[Skiff Builder]

This is what I was thinking, use the deck as a landing for the fort. I'm trying to do this as cheaply/sturdy as possible, nothing fancy, so function before fashion. Now I have to worry about permits but I'm thinking of a rather ask for forgiveness than permission type of situation. Where not moving anytime soon.

I'd build the new shed with a fiberglass roof/ deck. Just enough pitch for drainage.
3/4 Plywood roof deck
Bondo
1.5 oz chopped strand fiberglass cloth
Polyester resin
Gelcoat color of choice
ground pumice for non skid
Applied with a paint roller

Low cost 20 year solution. All DIY.

 

[kaymccampbell]

I built a deck once w/o a permit. When they came to look at it, the deck got it's permit. But they also said I had too much impermeable surface because I had covered a 10'x35' area w/ gravel to park out boat on. Having someone remove the gravel and replace w/ topsoil cost more than the deck.

OK, you gotta be on the west coast. Here, my huge crusher run driveway is considered permeable surface. So are my 2000 yards of gravel fill. Where do they come up with this ****?

 

[remagenman]

I'd build the new shed with a fiberglass roof/ deck. Just enough pitch for drainage.
3/4 Plywood roof deck
Bondo
1.5 oz chopped strand fiberglass cloth
Polyester resin
Gelcoat color of choice
ground pumice for non skid
Applied with a paint roller

Low cost 20 year solution. All DIY.

Thanks, that's why I post these questions, I get more answers than my noggin can come up with.

 

[Skiff Builder]

Thanks, that's why I post these questions, I get more answers than my noggin can come up with.

Here's a couple pics of a deck I did (posted a thread a couple years back)

 

[rsanter]

This is what I was thinking, use the deck as a landing for the fort. I'm trying to do this as cheaply/sturdy as possible, nothing fancy, so function before fashion. Now I have to worry about permits but I'm thinking of a rather ask for forgiveness than permission type of situation. Where not moving anytime

This is what I was thinking, use the deck as a landing for the fort. I'm trying to do this as cheaply/sturdy as possible, nothing fancy, so function before fashion. Now I have to worry about permits but I'm thinking of a rather ask for forgiveness than permission type of situation. Where not moving anytime soon.

How about build it as mobile or,portable?
In my first house I had a utility easement along the back of the property for them to maintain the power lines even though the poles were not in my yard but the back neighbors.
I called the utility and asked them and they said that anything put there must be portable. Deal was they were responsible to move the bigger stuff
I told them I wanted to build a shed back there and they said basically if they can pick it up with a forklift that they would move it and put it back.

So can you build it to be moved/slid on skids or something to avoid a permit?
What of it was a trailer, take the wheels off and put on blocks?

 

[CraigStu]

In

When did gravel become impermeable?

ETA: Roanoke city isn't even that bad.

Md within X ft of the water some time prior to 2010. In the same back yard long before I had built a raised playhouse for the kids. I laid 3 2x8x8ft treated boards down right on the grass that had the 4x4 posts attached w/ lag bolts from the bottom of the 2x8s.The bottom of the playhouse was 2.5ft off the ground so it looked like it was sitting on skis. Like the couple posts above, it's moveable so no permit needed and it was not considered impermeable. Kay asked, "Where do they come up with this ****?" That was my exact question to the county guy.