On Sun, 27 Jul 2008 21:40:04 +0000 (UTC), "SteveB"
wrote:

cshenk wrote:

I now have a sliding glass patio door to the outside. It's just mud
right now outside there and not much of a difference in level (3
inches maybe?). Looking for something easy we can do ourselves. Is
it possible to make a low to the ground 'wood deck'? The ground has
been completely termite treated for sub-terranian termites but that
would be a concern in our area still.

What I do not want to do: pour a slab extension.

We've also considered just using paving stones (even the ground out
first of course) but a deck low to the ground would look nicer in
this setting. About 2ft out and L shaped with one leg 13ft and the
other 11ft.

You'll have to excavate a lot of dirt to build a deck. Remember, you
can't lay the boards on the ground.

I recommend a paver patio. There are lots of variations in pavers, and
lots of web sites to show you how to do it.

Good suggestion from Steve. This may be your best alternative given
the small clearance you're working with.

You also could do what we did, build a traditional deck on Dek Blocks,
which you can buy from the big box stores. These are precast concrete
pier blocks that you place where you need support and lay your 2x6 or
whatever lumber you choose to use as joists into. Don't attach the
deck to the house. Our deck held up a hot tub for 5 years (we just
sold it to raise $$ for the driveway repaving project) and still looks
great (size 22ft by 26ft, appx.). A lot easier than digging the post
holes in the yard (ours is/was very very very rocky).