Key Takeaways:
- Floating deck = no permanent footings — sits on deck blocks or screw piles
- No permit required in most municipalities if deck is under 24" high AND not attached to the house
- Best for: backyard sitting areas, hot tub bases, garden patios — NOT for second-story access
- Cost: 30–50% less than a footed deck (you save the concrete footings)
- Lifespan: same as a footed deck if drainage is right; shorter if water pools
What Makes a Deck "Floating"
A floating deck rests on deck blocks (precast concrete pyramids) or screw piles instead of poured concrete footings. The deck "floats" because it can shift slightly with seasonal ground movement — rather than fight the frost like a fixed footing.
When Floating Works
- Ground-level deck under 24" high
- Not attached to the house (free-standing)
- Stable, drained ground — no clay pockets, no seasonal saturation
- Small footprint (under 200 sq ft is ideal)
- Hot tub base (when the manufacturer permits it)
When Floating Will Fail You
| Situation | Why floating fails |
|---|---|
| Attached to the house | Building department requires footings — code violation |
| Over 24" high | Lateral racking, no resistance to wind uplift |
| Wet ground / clay | Blocks sink unevenly, deck heaves |
| Heavy load (large deck, big party) | Ground compresses unevenly |
| Frost-heave region (most of Canada) | Without footings below frost line, blocks shift each year |
Foundation Options
| Foundation | Cost each | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Deck blocks (concrete pyramid) | $15–$25 | Light decks, dry ground |
| Diamond pier (precast pile) | $80–$140 | Heavier loads, sandy soil |
| Screw piles (steel) | $200–$400 | Best — actual frost-line depth, no excavation |
| Sonotubes + concrete | $150–$250 | Traditional, but technically not "floating" anymore |
For Canadian climates, screw piles are the right answer for any floating deck you want to last — they hit the frost line without digging.
Common Floating Deck Configurations
Backyard sitting area (12×12)
Pressure-treated 2×6 frame on 9 deck blocks (3×3 grid), composite or cedar surface. Cost: $4,500–$8,000 materials + labor.
Hot tub base (10×10)
Reinforced 2×8 frame on screw piles or 12×12 concrete pads. Hot tub manufacturer's spec controls — verify before building. Cost: $5,000–$9,000.
Garden patio platform (8×8)
Simple cedar slat over deck blocks. Removable, no permit. Cost: $1,800–$3,500.
Pool surround (above-ground)
Larger floating frame around a pool. Often pushes the limit of what "floating" should be — we'd recommend screw piles.
Permit & Code Notes
Most Canadian municipalities exempt floating decks from permit if:
- Under 24" (610 mm) above grade
- Not attached to a permanent structure
- Under 108 sq ft (varies — Toronto 100 sq ft, Calgary 108 sq ft, Vancouver 100 sq ft, Montreal varies by borough)
Verify with your local building department before assuming.
DIY vs Hire Us
A simple 12×12 floating deck is one of the few decks suitable for confident DIY. The risks are mostly cosmetic — uneven settling, gaps opening, slight tilt — not catastrophic.
For anything larger than 200 sq ft, with a hot tub, or in a frost-prone region, hire a builder. The cost difference vs DIY is small ($1,500–$3,000) and the lifespan difference is large (2x+ with proper screw piles).
Request a floating deck quote or compare with a full footed build.
See also: full deck construction guide • pick the right material
