Floating Island
Freestanding platform set at an angle in the yard, with diagonal coastal boards.
A floating deck detaches from the house entirely: no ledger board, no flashing, and in many jurisdictions a simpler permit story. Set at a 30-degree angle with a diagonal coastal field, this template turns the back corner of a yard into a destination instead of an extension.
The spec
| Footprint | 14×10 ft (140 sq ft) |
|---|---|
| Height | 1.2 ft |
| Decking | Coastal composite, diagonal field |
| Railing | None (under railing height) |
| Stairs | None |
| Cost basis | Composite benchmark: $45 – $70 / sq ft installed (USD). |
| Attachment | Freestanding (no ledger) |
| Base platform allowance (USD) | $6,300 – $9,800 |
These are base platform allowances, not complete quotes for the pictured designs. Railing, stairs, lighting, skirting, benches, pergolas, special board patterns and extra framing for height or multiple levels need separate quotes.
Cost assumptions and sources
U.S. planning allowances in USD for a simple, single-level deck, including ordinary materials and contractor labor. These are PaperPlan editorial assumptions, not surveyed averages or a local quote.
- Pressure-treated: $25 – $40 / sq ft installed (USD)
- Composite: $45 – $70 / sq ft installed (USD)
- PVC: $60 – $90 / sq ft installed (USD)
Multiply deck area (width × length in feet) by the selected installed rate, then round each end of the range to the nearest $100.
Demolition, permits and engineering, taxes, stairs, railing, roofs, unusual foundations and difficult site access need separate quotes. Location, product selection and labor can put a real bid outside these ranges. Canadian projects need local CAD pricing.
The manufacturer sources below explain scope and cost drivers; they do not validate PaperPlan’s exact installed-rate bands. Supplier material estimates should not be compared directly with an installed project budget.
- Trex: deck material cost calculator: Estimates materials and explicitly excludes labor; prices vary with location, season and design.
- TimberTech: understanding deck costs: Separates decking, railing, labor and substructure, and explains the impact of site and project features.
Sources and assumptions reviewed . Confirm the scope and current price with local contractors before budgeting a build.
Best for
- Destination spots: around a fire pit, under a tree, beside a garden
- Houses where attaching a ledger is a problem (brick veneer, stucco)
- Renters-turned-owners who want the deck where the sun actually lands
Similar templates
- Ground-level lounge: Low cedar platform that hugs the yard. No railing, no stairs, just deck.
- Poolside platform: Wide, low driftwood platform with breaker boards and string lights for evenings.
- Classic raised deck: The bread-and-butter build: 16×12 composite, aluminum balusters, boxed stairs.
Deck planning guides
- Deck Cost Calculator
- Cost to Build a Deck in 2026
- Composite Deck Cost in 2026
- Deck Material Calculator
- 10×10 Deck Cost
- 10×12 Deck Cost
- 12×12 Deck Cost
- 12×16 Deck Cost
- 12×20 Deck Cost
- 16×16 Deck Cost
- 16×20 Deck Cost
- 20×20 Deck Cost
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