Have you ever considered building a deck out of pallets? Pallet decks are the latest trend in DIY outdoor living. The best part? You can build one on your own yourself!
It’s a fantastic way to save money and make your yard look amazing. Pallet decks are trending in the home improvement world, so if you’re looking for some creative ideas, in this blog post, we will show you creative pallet deck ideas that will get you inspired so you can create a beautiful outside space for your family to enjoy all summer long.
Best Pallet Deck Ideas
Are pallets good for decking?
Pallets are perfect if you're looking for an affordable DIY decking solution that will beautify your outdoor living space. Pallets are cheap and often really easy to find. The best part is, they don't require any tools!
Can you make a pool deck out of pallets?
Yes you can make a pool deck out of pallets. Pallets are really easy to find and they're super cheap. It's a great way of saving some money when you're on a budget for an outdoor project.
Are pallet decks dangerous?
If the pallet wood is not rotten, the deck could be safe to walk on. As long as you don't use any old pallet wood, it should be alright.
The wood is treated to prevent rot but you will want to make sure the surface does not have splinters or nails protruding out of them, so wear sneakers when walking around on your deck while building it.
What tools do I need to build my pallet deck
To build a pallet deck you will need:
- Pallet wood;
- An hammer;
- A Saw;
- Screws or nails;
- Electric screw drivers;
- A drill.
You can use any type of screws but a lot of people recommend using galvanized or heavy duty ones because they are more sturdy. Make sure you have at least two different sized drill bits, one that is too small for the head of your screws and one that's just a little bit bigger.
If you are using a saw, make sure its sharp. You should also have some sandpaper and an angle grinder to smooth the cuts on your deck.
How do you make a deck out of pallets?
Typically you will need about 20-30 pallets for the materials.
- First separate the pallet planks into groups and then it's time to remove the nails.
- You will need to have a wooden frame base on the ground.
- Nail down your planks to the frame on the ground. You can nail the planks lined side by side or stagger them to make a more interesting pattern.
- Repeat the process until you have a full deck area built
Pallet decking base
To build the base of the deck to screw the pallet wood in, you can use several 2x4 planks. Attach them with nails or screws in a square or rectangular shape. Then you will have to fill the inside with more 2x4 boards to have the base to screw the pallet boards in. The size of your base should be half as wide again as the deck planks
Voilá, you have a decking frame base.
How to build a raised pallet deck
To build a raised pallet deck, first you need to know how high you want it to be, then you will need to make the frame with posts in it. The frame posts will need to be braced for added stability and then you will need to bury them several inches on the ground and pour concrete inside to make sure they will not topple over.
A word of caution when building a pallet deck with ground level posts: make sure that your posts are buried deep enough to withstand heavy snow and ice buildup, or alternately provide some kind of strong support in the form of metal poles for added stability.
How to build a pallet deck with stairs
If you need stairs for access from one floor of your house to another, then it's worth considering if this will be high or low. You can buy pre-fabricated stair kits that are easily assembled on site and designed specifically for use in or you can build your own stairs using wood pallets.
The basic principle is the same as for any other type of stair - a flight, or set of flights, that connect one level to another.
Will a pallet deck rot?
Pallet wood as any other kind of wood need treatment to prevent it from rotting.
You can use a wood preservative or paint your pallet deck and that will help keep the timber looking good for longer.
Is it cheaper to build a pallet deck or pour concrete?
A pallet deck is the cheapest option but you will need to take into account the time and effort.
A pallet deck has a more rustic look, but if you're looking for a neat, tidy finish then concrete is probably your best option.
How to build a pallet deck on uneven ground
You will need to first build a wooden frame to even the ground out.
You can use a level to make sure the frame is straight and tackle any uneven areas that need more wood before you lay your pallet deck boards on top of it.
You can build a pallet deck wherever you want, so long as the ground is level.
Pallet decking on grass
You can build a pallet deck on grass, but you will need to first level the ground out with a wood frame and then lay your boards down. You don't want them sitting in any high or low points so use some shims as needed for levelling purposes.
Pallet decking on concrete
You can build a pallet deck on concrete, but first you need to make sure the concrete is leveled. You still need to build a wooden frame so you can screw the pallet boards down.
Pallet decking on dirt or sand
You can build a pallet deck on dirt. Just pay attention that dirt will move as the weather changes so you will need to use some sort of a foundation (like another pallet frame) for stability, or even create a concrete slab to lay your pallet deck on top.
Conclusion
Building a deck with pallets might sound simple and straightforward: you deconstruct, lay them, and nail each board to a frame on the ground, but actually, there’s more to it than one would think.
You can create patterns, for instance, or even designs; you can give the wood a more polished look or keep a rustic feel to it, it is up to you to find out what suits the purpose you want best.
You can start by thinking of the final design you sought, then plan according to it. You can pair your new pallet deck ideas with pallet furniture and décor ideas to find the display you want to create, for instance, and work with those projects in mind.
Working with pallets may seem easy, but it has more than it seems to it, it is, though, a nice DIY project for anyone handy with tools and ambition to get what they look for in order to decor their space exactly as they please.