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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.

Ground-level lounge deck template: Low cedar platform that hugs the yard. No railing, no stairs, just deck.

The spec

Footprint14×12 ft (168 sq ft)
Height0.8 ft
DeckingCedar (traditional)
RailingNone (under railing height)
StairsNone
Cost basisPressure-treated benchmark: $25 – $40 / sq ft installed (USD). Pressure-treated is a budget proxy here; the pictured cedar needs its own quote.
Base platform allowance (USD)$4,200 – $6,700

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.

Sources and assumptions reviewed . Confirm the scope and current price with local contractors before budgeting a build.

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

  • Garden starter deck: A compact cedar first deck with planters, matched skirting, and an easy garden landing.
  • Floating island: Freestanding platform set at an angle in the yard, with diagonal coastal boards.
  • Poolside platform: Wide, low driftwood platform with breaker boards and string lights for evenings.

Deck planning guides