Ground-Level Lounge
A low cedar platform that hugs the yard — no railing, no stairs, just deck.
Ground-level decks are the lowest-friction way to add outdoor square footage: under 30 inches of height, most jurisdictions skip the railing requirement and many skip the permit. This template keeps the structure simple — a 14×12 cedar field at ten inches off grade — so the budget goes into boards you can see.
The spec
| Footprint | 14×12 ft (168 sq ft) |
|---|---|
| Height | 0.8 ft |
| Decking | Cedar (traditional) |
| Railing | None (under railing height) |
| Stairs | None |
| Installed cost (est.) | $4,200 – $6,700 |
Best for
- Flat yards where a patio feels too hard and a raised deck feels like overkill
- First decks: simplest framing, friendliest permit conversation
- Cedar fans — the template ships with traditional cedar decking
Similar templates
- Floating island — Freestanding platform set at an angle in the yard — diagonal coastal boards.
- 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.
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