Anyone here use Dek Blocks?

[kdd3]

We are building a deck around our 27' pool this week. We plan on using Dek Blocks and I was curious if anyone else here has used them?

[karrde97]

I used them at my old house. Worked great for a stand alone deck. Unfortunately, it took a lot of them and I couldn't move around too well underneath. We moved last year and brought our pool with us. I have a 2 tier deck with the pool steps resting on the lower deck. The idea behind the Dek Blok is that it will allow the deck to move with the ground. I didn't want my stairs moving around. They're all sitting in the back yard gathering weeds. I need to get rid of them.

[GraceByDesign]

You can click here to see a wrap-around deck on an AG pool using dek blocks.

[NWMNMom]

We just built a 14x16 deck on the end of our pool using them. We have 8 under there - depending on where you get the plans, they call for more or less. The same basic deck plan we have at one place called for 18 blocks, one called for 6 blocks and the one we used called for 8 blocks. All of the plans look exactly the same up top. I guess it depends on how solid you want it. Ours is pretty darn solid - it never moved after 65mph wind gusts in a storm, no swaying, no sagging and we are using composite.

[matt4x4]

I find that the deck block plans (plans put out by the actual block company) seem to really push the use of the block - I guess that's good marketing - if you can sell someone (or everyone) who downloads your plans 3x what's needed, then your income just increased marginally.

I believe that the designs are for the worst case scenario soil that you will be building on, if your soil cannot support much weight, it makes sense that you would need many blocks, however, if you're building directly on bedrock, the number of blocks required would be significanly reduced.

[tphaggerty]

Just remember, you can only build an UNATTACHED deck using these. If you plan to attach the deck to your house or your pool, you will have huge problems. These blocks are designed to "float" up and down with the soil level (due to frost heaving). I have my 10x10 shed built on them and it works great, but that is a standalone building.

[ScottS]

We just built a 14x16 deck on the end of our pool using them. We have 8 under there - depending on where you get the plans, they call for more or less. The same basic deck plan we have at one place called for 18 blocks, one called for 6 blocks and the one we used called for 8 blocks. All of the plans look exactly the same up top. I guess it depends on how solid you want it. Ours is pretty darn solid - it never moved after 65mph wind gusts in a storm, no swaying, no sagging and we are using composite.

I am looking to build a deck around the same size that you mentioned. Can you list some other resources for the deck plans? I'd rather use less blocks as you mentioned.

Thank you!

[NWMNMom]

We built ours using the program/computer they have at Menards. The program is the same at Lowes. I think Lowes even has it online for free, you just register.