Dear Bonnie: With a sloping backyard close to the same height as the first floor as yours, it is trickier to build the support structure for the deck. Another option is a slightly raised deck, but you ...

What Is a Floating Deck? Despite its name, a floating deck (AKA a ground-level or a freestanding deck) isn’t found on water. It’s actually a low-deck platform that can be placed anywhere in the yard.

Dear James: I want to add a deck to the back of my house. There is now only one step at the door, and the yard slopes across the house. Parts of the deck will be resting on the ground. How can I build ...

Contrary to common belief, a low or “ground-level” deck can often present bigger and more time-consuming challenges during the framing stage. Unlike the higher elevation deck built with joists that ...