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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

Footprint14×10 ft (140 sq ft)
Height1.2 ft
DeckingCoastal composite, diagonal field
RailingNone (under railing height)
StairsNone
AttachmentFreestanding (no ledger)
Installed cost (est.)$6,300 – $9,800

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