This project has been a long time coming. I can’t even tell you how many hours I worked on the pallet deck. I actually started building the deck last summer, but the pallet shed consumed most of my time leaving the deck on hold. So this year I made the deck a high priority.
To make things even more challenging, each pallet had to be cut apart and all of the boards trimmed. Then trimmed again if needed during the entire building project. I spent more time working with the wood then actual building this deck. This project consumed more time than I ever imagined.
In the end… I love it!
Imagine going from…
to this…
In the photo above you can see the upper level and the lower level. Both levels of the deck are simply pallets. Under each pallet, I placed the runners or middle part of the pallet on the ground. Some areas needed more runners than others to achieve a level base.
The lower level was dug down a bit so the pallet would fit under the door. The upper level was then leveled using runners.
To give the outside edge a finished look, I covered the sides with pallet wood.
28 pallets were used to create the foundation ( 7 pallets x 4 pallets).
I’m not sure how many pallets I actually ripped apart to cover both levels. I’m guessing well over 100. The pallets I used were far from perfect and not the same size. I only used narrow boards to cover the deck and saved the wider boards for future projects.
The total cost of this project is well under $200.
I’m thrilled it’s finally finished. It’s almost surreal.
On to the next project. Yes, it’s started and no it won’t take a year to complete.
Updates: Pallet Bar Addition
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Shambray says
July 16, 2014 at 11:45 AMThis looks fantastic. I love it and I love that it is so cost effective.
Lori Rowe says
July 26, 2014 at 5:01 PMThis looks absolutely FANTASTIC, and I can’t imagine all the work that went into it! I love the chevron look!
So, I’m working on a pallet deck too minus the taking the pallets apart step. Question: what did you put under the pallets to protect it from ground moisture? You said something about runners? What is that?
Also, the pallet wall looks amazing too!
Thanks,
Lori
Andrea says
July 26, 2014 at 5:18 PMI didn’t place anything special under my pallets. Runner is what I call the three inside boards of a pallet. They are usually about two inches wide by three inches. I placed anywhere from 4 to 12 runners under each pallet to level and to keep the actual pallet from resting directly on the ground. Good on your pallet deck!
Thank you for leaving a comment.
Cathy Mini says
July 30, 2014 at 6:07 PMThat is seriously amazing that it was under $200!!! It looks far more expensive than that–great job!
Cheers,
~Cathy Mini~
OurMiniFamily.com
Jackie says
August 10, 2014 at 3:25 PMWow this is beautiful! Sounds like a lot of work though. I admire your patience 🙂
Andrea says
August 10, 2014 at 7:56 PMThank you so much! It took a lot of patience, but well worth it. Thanks for the commment.
Cheryl in Wisconsin says
August 11, 2014 at 9:24 AMOh my word. Clever, economical, and absolutely stunning.
Lois says
February 14, 2015 at 8:59 AMwhere did you get so many pallets?
Andrea says
February 15, 2015 at 6:23 PMMy place of employment allows me to take as many as my heart desires.
Mindi says
March 12, 2015 at 11:33 PMWow Andrea this is AMAZING! I can’t even believe how much time this must have taken you! Makes me tired even thinking about it, but I can see why it was soooo worth it! Great job!!
Audra @ Renewed Projects says
September 23, 2015 at 5:59 PMWow! I can only imagine the hours spent creating this beautiful deck! You are one committed woman! I’ve used pallets, too, for a deck, but only underneath for support. And that was enough for me! If I’d had to rip apart more pallets and fit the boards together, the project would never get finished, lol. Enjoy your lovely deck and all the compliments I’m sure you’ll get from guests. 🙂
Andrea says
September 24, 2015 at 9:00 AMThank you for the lovely comment. You’re right, pallets are a lot of work. I was so thankful when it was completed!
Phil, UK says
December 24, 2016 at 1:16 PMsuch an inspirational idea.
I started pallet planters back in 2004 for a client, I’ve since replaced two of them out of the 6, I hadn’t lined the insides properly originally, so the wood had been rotting, subsequently put roofing felt inside and timber capping over the corner posts, they should last another 10 years.
Deborah Hitchcock says
June 19, 2017 at 5:11 PMI just found you are you sure we are not related? Ha! <3 Love the deck! I'm doing this soon myself. How is the deck holding up now that its been a few years?
Cathy S. says
August 12, 2017 at 9:30 PMYour deck looks amazing. Your hard work paid off!