An attached deck transfers load and moisture-management responsibilities to the house; a freestanding deck avoids a ledger but still needs lateral stability and foundations.
What to account for
Inspect the wall assembly before choosing attachment. Brick veneer, cantilevers, exterior insulation and inaccessible framing may complicate a ledger.
Freestanding does not mean floating: posts, beams, bracing and footings still need a coherent load path.
Door thresholds and flashing must keep water out while allowing safe access.
Questions to settle before work begins
- Can the house framing be positively identified?
- Would excavation near the foundation create problems?
- How will movement differ between the deck and house?
Common planning failures
- Fastening a ledger to veneer alone
- Calling a deck freestanding while trapping it tightly against the house
- Ignoring lateral loads because the deck is low
Compare options on the same basis
Write down the intended use, site limits, maintenance expectations and approval assumptions before comparing products or quotations. Use the same dimensions and performance requirements for every option. A useful comparison notes what supports the work, how water leaves, what must remain accessible, which components carry safety functions, and what the owner will need to inspect or renew later.
Before materials are ordered
Confirm final elevations, transitions, clearances and product availability. Review the current installation instructions for every proprietary component and check that the planned base, framing, fasteners, finishes and accessories are compatible. Record any allowance or unresolved condition in writing so it does not quietly become an expensive change after excavation or demolition begins.
Keep a project record
Save the site measurements, product names, installation manuals, approved drawings, permit and inspection records, photos of concealed work, contractor changes and warranty documents. Add photographs before surfaces or trim conceal drainage, flashing, connectors, wiring or foundations. These records make later maintenance, repairs and ownership changes much easier.
Know when to stop
Pause the project when structural framing cannot be identified, soil or drainage conditions are uncertain, utilities may be affected, a safety barrier is involved, or the planned work conflicts with product instructions. Ask the relevant building authority, engineer, licensed trade or manufacturer for project-specific direction. Restrict use immediately if an existing elevated structure moves, a guard is loose, stairs are unstable or significant decay is visible.
Relevant primary sources
Use the version and requirements accepted by your local authority.