Renovating an old wooden deck is possible, but not very easy. A lot of planning goes into this kind of project and you’ll have to be prepared for some serious hard labor.
You can put bricks over a wooden porch or deck, but you’ll have to plan it well and take extra steps to make sure the deck is sturdy and solid enough to handle the weight of the bricks.
With that said, once you’ve renovated the deck or porch, you won’t have to worry about it for a long time as this kind of installation will last for many years and look good at the same time.
Should You Put Brick Over Wood (Porch/Deck)?
Putting brick over a wood deck or porch sounds like a good idea at first, but then you might start wondering if it’s not going to be too difficult or perhaps even impossible. Is it really a good idea?
You can put bricks over a wooden porch with no problems, as long as you do it the right way. You’ll have to plan the project well and not be afraid to do a bit of hard work to get the task done properly.
With that said, once you’re done, you’ll be happy you took on this challenge because your deck will be sturdier and look a lot more attractive. Apart from keeping it clean, there isn’t a lot of maintenance involved either.
What Tools Do You Need to Put Brick Over Wood (Porch/Deck)?
To successfully put bricks over a wooden porch or deck, you will need the right tools. If you don’t have all the necessary tools, this task may be a lot more challenging than it needs to be, so it’s best to get them all before you start.
You will need several tools to successfully install bricks over a wooden deck or porch. You’ll need a tape measure, a hammer, a utility knife, a paintbrush, and a circular saw, for starters.
Here is a complete list of all the tools you will need to complete this kind of project without getting delayed because of a lack of the right materials:
- Circular saw
- Plywood (5/8-inch)
- Lumber (2-inch by 12-inch)
- Felt paper
- Tape measure
- Pencil
- Safety glasses
- Hammer
- Nails
- Drill
- Wood screws
- Concrete mix
- Felt paper
- Chicken wire
- Tin snips
- Hammer tacker with staples
- Utility knife
- Rubber mallet
- Level
- Bucket
- Paintbrush
What Preparations Do You Need to Put Brick Over Wood (Porch/Deck)?
If you want to successfully install bricks over your wooden porch or deck, you should plan the project carefully and make sure you have the right materials and tools. That way, you can prevent running around and looking for things like screws or lumber when you’ve already started the project.
You need to make sure the current deck or porch is clean and that there is no debris or uneven areas that can cause difficulties with the brick installation. You should also ensure you have all your tools and materials close at hand.
Dedicate an entire day to this project so you can have it done swiftly.
How to Put Brick Over Wood (Porch/Deck)
Wooden decks can be attractive but they can deteriorate over time and renovating them can be quite exciting. When you put bricks over the existing deck, you can achieve a whole new look and give your home a fresh appearance.
You will have to prepare your deck and install new plywood sheets that should be mounted on the deck planks. This way, you have a good surface on which you can install the new bricks and ensure a level end result.
Here’s a step-by-step look at how to install bricks over an existing wooden porch or deck:
Step One
Copyright protected content owner: ReadyToDIY.com and was initially posted on December 30, 2022.
First, you need to inspect the span of your deck’s joists. It is important that they are at least 12 inches on center. If not, you should add more joists, which you can do by using the 2-inch by 12-inch lumber mentioned in the tools section of this article.
You can cut these joists out of the lumber with the circular saw and then nail them into the correct places with a hammer and nails. Make sure the nails are long enough to keep the lumber neatly and securely in place.
Step Two
Now you need to prepare your wooden porch or deck. Begin by cutting down sheets of 5/8-inch plywood. You will fit these sheets across the installation area. To keep them in place, use a drill and mount them onto the existing deck planks. (naturally, you need to be sure the deck planks are clean of any debris before starting this step)
You should make sure to cover the deck with one row of sheets and then add another row on top of it.
Step Three
Now you should cover the newly installed deck platform with a layer of felt paper. You can cut the felt paper with a utility knife until it is the right size. It is a good idea to cut the felt paper into at least two pieces. Make sure that the pieces overlap slightly so there are no openings.
Copyright article owner is ReadyToDiy.com for this article. This post was first published on December 30, 2022.
Tack the felt paper in place with your hammer tacker and then cut the chicken wire so it fits the area. Use the tin snips for this task, then tack the chicken wire into place with the tacking machine.
Step Four
Once you have completely finished step three, you can start mixing your concrete mix. The packaging should have instructions on how to do it correctly. Make sure you reach the kind of consistency with the mixture that will loosely clump in your hand when you close your fist but fall apart if you shake your hand.
You don’t want the mixture to have the consistency of mortar. Next, you have to shovel it into a two-inch layer on top of the installed chicken wire and felt paper. Two inches is the ideal thickness.
Step Five
Now, you have to create a sludgy mixture out of your watery cement mix. Make sure you have the bricks ready to be installed nearby. Next, paint it onto the back of every brick you want to install using your paintbrush. You’ll have to paint every brick individually in this manner.
Then place the brick into the mud mixture (the previously applied cement mix) and tap it into place with your rubber mallet. Avoid using a normal hammer or similar tool as it could break the brick.
Set several bricks in a row and use your level to ensure that everything is even and flat. You can remove or add mud as necessary. Use the mullet to make sure every brick is securely in place.
That’s it! Now you just have to give the cement time to dry and set properly before cleaning the newly-installed brick surface and enjoy a beautiful new porch or deck.
Related Articles
Can You Lay Brick Sideways? (How To)
Can You Put Brick Over Drywall? (How To)
Can You Put Brick Over Tile? (How To)
ReadyToDIY is the owner of this article. This post was published on December 30, 2022.