Budget-Friendly DIY Platform Deck: Building with Pallets and Fence Pickets

Considering the current market conditions and the rising wood prices, we made a conscious decision to explore alternative options for constructing our platform deck. In light of this, we devised a unique approach by utilizing pallets for the base and fence pickets for the top. This innovative solution not only proved to be cost-effective but also significantly enhanced the functionality of our backyard space. #woodworking #diy #deck
If you liked this video please give it a thumbs up 👍 and subscribe if you haven’t already.
TIMESTAMPS ⏱
0:00 Intro
0:18 Leveling The Ground
0:32 Laying Out The Pallets
2:08 Cutting The Pallets To Size
2:51 Laying Down Underlayment
4:04 Trim
4:29 Laying The Top Deck Boards
5:22 Painting
5:50 Final Shots
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WHO AM I 👨‍💼
Hi I'm Ryan Willoughby, a KZbinr, a Maker, and U.S. Navy Avionics Tech. I make all types of videos showing how I build things from picnic table squirrel feeders, to a backyard deck. I also love to restore tools that help with these projects along the way.
GET IN TOUCH 📞
If you have any questions or need to get in touch the quickest way would be through my email ([e-mail]). Please let me know what I can help with.

[@kimleegely9311]

GEEZ! Some of these comments.... Simmer down Cyber Bullies.... The guy CLEARLY STATED this was NOT a "perfect" method and meant to be "temporary"... The video serves as a guide and/or helpful idea The video title CLEARLY states "How to Build a Cheap DIY Platform Deck" And, for a novice DIYer like ME, this is AWESOME! I found the video extremely helpful; especially for those on a budget. THANK YOU KIND SIR!

[@TheWillToMake]

Thank you very much!! I appreciate hearing that.

[@gabrielriouxsmusic3211]

Nice job! Don't let the bullies get to you

[@diogobraga9940]

great job man, you inspire me!!

[@lauren8195]

Good idea. Not all of us have thousands of dollars laying around and idea like this really help!

[@TheWillToMake]

Thank you very much! I appreciate it!!

[@leslie6189]

I had a deck like this.. It rotted from contact with moisture(that was project 1). If I did it again, I would have it up off the ground with a moisture barrier between wood and bricks/risers, as my plant platforms also rotted from the bottom up from the bricks I used as risers wicking moisture up to the wood(that was project 2)...so if there was a project 3.. I would ensure no contact with moisture below. Top surfaces were painted and survived well.. Just 1/2 inch plywood, painted.. Lasted very well with 2 coats paint.. It's the bottom exposure to moisture that did them in.. Or I think they'd still be looking great :)

[@carolynpayne7128]

Thanks for this video, I just made a very small 4 x 6 deck with wide fencing from this video inspiration. Added blocks and weed blocker on bottom to lift off ground. I took some of the suggestions, but this was very affordable. If it lasts for a year I will redo larger with better wood, but still use the pallets.

[@DenniDenicka]

At this point in my backyard life, i would be extremely grateful if my husband would follow suit

[@TheWillToMake]

Haha, happy wife = happy life

[@DenniDenicka]

@@TheWillToMake hey!!happy your deck has been good to you and family, thanks for letting me know, happy wife happy wife= happy life Preach! Thank you

[@firstlastcase]

I feel like the plywood layer is only gonna worsen the rotting problem of the pallets. If I were to put all this effort you've done at the top, I would have paid more attention to the base. For example, at least try to isolate the pallets from the soil with some bricks or paivers for drainage and make them level!

[@she_sings_delightful_things]

I was thinking the same thing. I want to do this and hopefully can come up with a proper way to do that....🤞

[@TheWillToMake]

Yes I absolutely agree. This was my first project of this scale and was learning as I went. I definitely agree I should have put something underneath. As for the underlayment, I use it to even out the tops of the pallets to bring them all on the same plane. But thank you for your comment. This was definitely a learning experience for me.

[@meanwright5195]

Agree. I think it’s just for some quick fun in the sun though. He had to know it wouldn’t last for a long time. He gets his money’s worth and his memories.

[@kelseybarnes7854]

Pavers, then maybe tyvec

[@mylifeinanutshell6931]

We used outdoor weatherproof stain and the deck lasted a long time with the plywood top.

[@lxespitia396]

Nothing last forever but for the price I'd definitely do this. Good job 👏

[@TheWillToMake]

Thank you very much!!

[@firstlastcase]

This should have been my 1st comment.. I should say well done in putting the effort and more importantly thank you for sharing the knowledge. We all learn from each other. Mistakes or not, this is how we evolve our knowledge and wisdom in life. Keep going keep posting. Happy days!

[@TheWillToMake]

Thank you so much!! Yes I was definitely a learning experience.

[@hesrey6734]

Nice deck But I personally would screwed the pallets together by sliding a picket or 2 then screw. Leave out the plywood & save. Last the top pickets run them contrary or just fill in the gaps (with a table saw).

[@adtkxo9570]

Wow thanks to you, you just saved my husband and I over $6,000 in work for our yard thank you so much

[@TheWillToMake]

You are very welcome! Thank you!

[@jonirn3751]

I'm building the same kind of deck, using cedar fence pickets, only I sealed my pallets first, and Im not using underlayment so water will drain through. Glad to see someone did this too.

[@TheWillToMake]

That's awesome!! Yeah honestly I was just trying to go the cheap route with how wood prices are right now.

[@jonirn3751]

@@TheWillToMake Me too. But honestly, if time is money, I've spent a fortune. Lol. Using used materials is frustrating, almost wish I had just paid and went all new. ☺️

[@TheWillToMake]

It is frustrating using used materials but I got super lucky that my wife found these skids on Facebook marketplace, they look like they've only been used once.

[@keshiat.4708]

Its been a yr, so is the deck still holding up and what kind of under layment sealant did u use. I'm on a budget, a female and doing this by myself. So any advice is appreciated. Thanks

[@bobbisparks7039]

I'm trying this with plastic pallets. Yours turned out great and inspires me.

[@TheWillToMake]

Thank you very much!

[@jabowja]

Me too I’m doing Plastic

[@luvdady]

People in Michigan make deer blinds out of them , and the slip sheet stackers work really good 👍

[@isabellagrimes1922]

How did your plastic pallets turn out?

[@Vinterfrid]

Nice job! I have to say that I am somewhat puzzled though, since you did not seem to place a weed mat under those pallets; that would have increased the longevity of the deck for sure.

[@jamesmanard9155]

Nice and simple and affordable.... RYOBI NATION 👍🏿👍🏿👍🏿👍🏿👍🏿👍🏿👍🏿👍🏿

[@TheWillToMake]

Thank you very much!!

[@verticalxscape8225]

Doing this same deck concept, except using plastic pallets instead to avoid the rot from ground contact. Your use of dog ear fence panels is genius and wondering how it's holding up to the abuse of being walked on? Its definitely a game changer in terms of cutting cost over deck panels. Also read some of the shrewed but true comments and you definitely are a great sport.

[@TheWillToMake]

Thank you very much, we have since sold this home but the boards were holding up great since they were supported completely underneath and the decking paint we used was very thick and durable.

[@jabee7846]

Are kidding....it's perfect

[@theloudhouse122]

I want to do this but add some like cement blocks or something underneath it and then I want to put it by my above ground pool this way I can add a little slide to my above ground pool LOL and the kids don't have to walk around in the grass of the mud the great job it looks fantastic

[@CarieSaad]

You should've put the pallets in opposite directions for more support & screwed them all together instead of relying on the plywood. Should've sanded all the wood too, before applying paint. Also should've applied Thompsons Water Seal before applying paint too.

[@julieleblanc5417]

I would omit the plywood too

[@lourdesnunez1146]

Super easy. Thanks for sharing

[@knockout123]

Outstanding!! I am inspired to make this for my own yard. Thank you!!!

[@sethdemar8114]

Remarkable idea!I have some upcoming projects as well with pallets. I have found the gold mine for pallets!

[@TheWillToMake]

Very nice!! It's amazing what people will just give away

[@brendanlenane2685]

Great use of some old pallets. Good thinking. Keep up the great work and look forward to your next video.

[@TheWillToMake]

Thank you!!

[@kimberlyquinn9023]

great job like always, love it !

[@TheWillToMake]

Thank you!!

[@johnnymiles4046]

Thank you

[@TroySupermanGentle]

Kudos to you my guy, this was a perfect video for the right group of DIYers. The poor man's deck is what I'll dub it. Wish I had access to pallets here in L.A. These business are stingy and the companies who do sell make it not worth investing if you're trying to keep with in a budget. I'll keep looking, I've been looking at ideas to build a slight smaller desk than yours for an area in our yard for our little ones to hang out on. Thanks again. Looking forward to more projects.

[@TheWillToMake]

Thank you very much, I appreciate it!! And would love to see pictures when you do your deck.

[@ShantellMarie07]

I'm definitely doing it

[@shawandawhitaker9242]

Definitely me too, I've been wondering if they wld work for a while now

[@ellalillard6418]

Love this video it’s inspiration I need to extend my patio thanks😘

[@TheWillToMake]

You are very welcome, thank you!

[@alisonevans8897]

Easy to follow even when I laid better top deck boards tks

[@TheWillToMake]

Thank you!

[@HowIDoThingsDIY]

Wow! Hard to believe that was just a pile of pallets! Great job!

[@TheWillToMake]

Thank you!! Yeah I got lucky that we were able to find super nice pallets like we did

[@Usy122]

Looks great 👍

[@KAL829]

I was thinking about doing this with palletts. I mean it makes sense to me. Then, here you are! I'm going to do this. I think I may put deck tiles or rubber tiles on top. I live in a cold climate. Should I put some type of vapor barrier down? Stones? I knew someone else had to have this idea. Thank you!

[@inspiringbuilds]

Definitely a way to cut cost!

[@TheWillToMake]

Yes it was!

[@MissJnet]

Good job.

[@TheWillToMake]

Thank you very much!!

[@tsfb]

Hey man! I'm the one who bought your table today. Good job man! You just earn a new subscriber. Keep it up!👍😁

[@TheWillToMake]

Thank you!! I appreciate it.

[@nahfrparadise]

🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@patronajones1457]

There was no need to add the luan, the wood needs spacing for run off. There was no spacing in the dog-eared wood and the Luan will not allow the water and moisture to escape in a timely manner. Great idea, just a few things to tweak

[@TheWillToMake]

Yeah I agree, my thinking with that was that it would even everything out before putting down the fence pickets but should have at least drilled holes for water to drain.

[@yovon91]

Looks Great!

[@TheWillToMake]

Thank you!!

[@hnubhliyang7477]

We are DEFINITELY doing that! Thanks for the video!!

[@TheWillToMake]

You are very welcome, thank you!!

[@larrypahl5756]

thanx

[@brooke_StartatHome]

WOW!! That's AMAZING!!!

[@TheWillToMake]

Thank you very much!!

[@tereseiervasi1006]

Great Job 👍👍👍🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸✌️🙏🏻❤️ I wish I knew how to work with tools I'm good with 🎨 painting and tiling... I could use a screw driver a drill a hammer that's about it... but you did a great job with pallets I seen another video how this guy did furniture with pallets wow and where I live they give so many pallets away good job dude 👍

[@TheWillToMake]

Thank you very much!! I appreciate it!

[@sarahcosta4882]

It looks Awesome!!

[@TheWillToMake]

Thank you very much!!!

[@lakeshorewoodturner5136]

Looks nice.

[@TheWillToMake]

Thank you!!

[@iamtreasured]

Thnx for this quick ans easy DIY deck !!

[@TheWillToMake]

Thank you!!

[@henrycorrea9586]

Well done.

[@TheWillToMake]

Thank you so much!!

[@gofasters1]

Love it, great job. Thx

[@TheWillToMake]

Thank you!!

[@jelicakutija3914]

PERFEKT

[@TheWillToMake]

Thank you!!

[@Dez81]

A really well put together video, thanks!

[@TheWillToMake]

Thank you very much, I appreciate it!!

[@loopy7057]

Looks great but you're right, it definitely won't last long

[@scottschiel1062]

However using untreated luann will absorb all the moistureand will fall apart , so I agree with your statement "it will not last as long" it will not make through 1 year.

[@TheWillToMake]

Cool, but it did

[@1993Revhead]

Is good. If you don't like a level deck.

[@TheWillToMake]

Thanks for the comment!!

[@pearlperlitavenegas2023]

If you had sealed the pallets with used motor oil & diesel mix which repels water, rot, & bugs (search youtube) it helps the wood last for years

[@moonpiespotlight4759]

And smells great and certainly won't leach into the soil.

[@singlewidemobilehomediy4853]

Nice

[@she_sings_delightful_things]

This was fun to watch - thanks!

[@TheWillToMake]

Thank you so much!!

[@anniewilson6737]

Love it

[@TheWillToMake]

Thank you!!

[@wormbore]

Perfect projekt 👍😊

[@TheWillToMake]

Thank you so much!!

[@tikajoubert2473]

Looks great for your first project. 🙌🏽

[@TheWillToMake]

Thank you very much!!

[@tikajoubert2473]

@@TheWillToMake you’re welcome!

[@cuyoung1568]

That is awesome 👍🏼, you should be very proud , I’m proud of you, way to go!👍🏼👍🏼👏👏👏

[@TheWillToMake]

Thank you very much!! I appreciate it

[@judymickens4989]

Great job I'm going to do this thank you

[@TheWillToMake]

Thank you very much!!

[@judithmirocco1940]

Great Job and easy. Enjoy Thanks!

[@TheWillToMake]

Thank you!?

[@TheWillToMake]

Woops just meant to put thank you!!

[@wakenmake924]

Great 🔥

[@TheWillToMake]

Thank you!!

[@graemeclark2485]

I’ve got a huge ugly concrete back garden and was hoping to do something like this for the back portion. I’m gonna build a 2x3m pallet deck and a 2x4 artificial grass section to just try and make it at least look less like a concrete square 😂 cant complain though the house was cheap

[@laurastevenson2785]

Great job, looks fantastic. Just be careful with your man made deck, and it will last as long as you need it. God Bless this journey 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾❤️❤️❤️🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾👍🏾👍🏾

[@TheWillToMake]

Thank you very much!! I appreciate it.

[@user-sm2um6hk1q]

I am going to add gravel first and a slight concrete topping before I put the crates down and then I’m gonna fill them in with rock pebbles and some concrete

[@brendarimel5372]

looks nice but you should of put bricks under the pallets so it doesn't rot and you'd have it last a longer time they rot fast sitting on the dirt I also learned the hard way ☺️

[@TheWillToMake]

Thank you! Yes I know. This wasn't meant to be permanent. It was just supposed to be temporary until wood prices came back down.

[@pl9915]

It's kinda crazy how many people started to get into building stuff out brand name wood just to complain to others on the internet about the price gouging in recent years .

[@pl9915]

Still a decent video . Thank you

[@kirstie7187]

Brilliant skills 👌

[@TheWillToMake]

Thank you!!

[@pavman1000]

Without treated footers on the bottom this deck will rot and is suspect to lots of bugs and insects , This is a serious problem.With that litlte cheap fix yeah, the deck would be awesome.

[@TheWillToMake]

Thanks for the comment!!

[@carlosbaker7825]

thank you for this video what should I do if my yard dirt is like clay

[@BabyGirl10229]

Great job! Not easy. Last summer I used 6 pallets and just laid them on the ground and it was such a bad idea lol I loved the idea but the grass coming through. The bottom started breaking down pretty quickly. I wasn’t trying to make it right. I had a lot of pallets so I had an idea 💡 😬 😂 never a good idea without a plan 😂 I thought about sealing the pallets but the ground would still need to be prepped better, maybe with sand under the area. Actually I think it would be better, not sure how, but I think it would be best to keep pallets off the ground. Maybe build a platform sturdy enough to hold the platforms and weight.

[@TheWillToMake]

Yeah absolutely, this was just meant to be temporary until the wood prices came back down. We built this when they were at their all time high.

[@reneeworkman9987]

I will be building a deck like this & people suggested that I lay down weed fabric & a good layer of small rock underneath which should help with drainage, weeds & protecting the pallet wood from rotting in the dirt.

[@michelletrudyholtz465]

@@reneeworkman9987 don't bother with weed fabric, use cardboard, 2 layers and rock. Seal the bottom layer of the pallets too, or a base frame of pressure treated lumber. This guy got really nice ones, but not all pallets are created equal!

[@AndersonOliveira-pf7dy]

Olá. Não há problemas a madeira ficar direto na terra? Não haverá problemas com chuva?

[@elmexicanodelnorte5333]

Definitivamente que si la lluvia 🌧 pronto lo dañará, para evitar eso debes poner graba para drenar el agua 💦

[@viralvideostrending5782]

looks great.

[@TheWillToMake]

Thank you very much!!

[@diesel961]

How's it holding?

[@real_juice4209]

Doing something similar, how long do you expect it to last? I know alot of people say it won’t last long but i only need 3 years tops. I think alot of people are referring to it lasting 10+ years.

[@TheWillToMake]

We were only hoping for about 2 or 3 just till the wood prices came back down.

[@dustjunky2000]

How has it held up?

[@JCAMPOSVA]

Pregunta: si la madera toca la tierra aunque esté bajo techo se pudre?

[@stacyign]

Does this wood sit on just soil? Would it mold under ? Rotten from the water?

[@katelynaikens2359]

Yes, it will rot over time. This is honestly not a good plan for a deck.

[@molliwilson5639]

J

[@NXRVideo]

This would never work in my rainy location. Laying the pallets directly on the soil with no moisture barrier and no gravel support, those pallets would sink in the mud and decay by the 2nd season.

[@ramizasanidze9308]

Hey where can you buy some pallets, the cheaper the better lol or is it better to make the pallets yourself?

[@TheWillToMake]

We found these on Facebook marketplace

[@30pvfd]

Good for tight budget and repurposed materials don’t let the nay sayers get to you good job for what you got into it $

[@TheWillToMake]

Thank you very much!!

[@DenniDenicka]

Great job! Is the patio still holding up? This will makes sense for a rental Home

[@TheWillToMake]

It's held up great and have had no issues at all with it. And thank you very much!!

[@kaylaschulz7515]

On the top put no maintenance decking

[@zoso1123]

What is with the foam board to use a skill saw who came up with that? Do people know thats its bad to cut breath and never bio degrades?

[@victoriacarsin4656]

Excellent video! It was what I was looking for, thanks. What is the spray you apply on the wood? That part of the video has no subtitles. Greetings from Uruguay!

[@TheWillToMake]

The paint I used was super thick and wouldn't get into the cracks so I spray painted them. And thank you very much!!

[@angs8068]

I am just curious but what if you set the deck on blocks would that help prolong the life of the deck?

[@TheWillToMake]

Yes it definitely would.

[@markgarcia4260]

This has been uploaded 2 years ago, how's the deck now? Interested to try this

[@shelly4171]

What about drainage from rain? It seems like th e rain water would jusy sit on top of the deck.

[@JohnJohn-xu6gk]

How's it holding up?

[@courtneyaikens5949]

What sort of screws & stuff did you use to nail it down

[@kmacc927]

If it don’t last do concrete next

[@kmacc927]

I’ll watch

[@tendr247]

Would laying concrete pavers laid underneath spread apart with vinyl underneath the stone pavers then pallets put on that make it last longer....help water drain only on concrete and not wood?

[@TheWillToMake]

Yes it absolutely would, but we weren't expecting this to last long in the first place. We were doing this temporarily until wood prices came back down

[@Johntheheadache]

Its not too late to buy a brush and and some wood sealer and apply it to your project before the rotting makes it unsalvageable.

[@TheWillToMake]

I totally agree. I knew that what I was doing wasn't going to last as long and i should have taken more time.

[@iradanilenko6214]

А гидроизоляцию положить не судьба?

[@Johntheheadache]

@@iradanilenko6214 You can always seal it to protect it unless its already rotted ...in that case your wasting your time.

[@MerlyCosta]

I wonder if you should have sealed under the pallets first. I want to do something similar and it's a lot of work to seal the pallets but I think it should be done. I hope it lasts for you :-)

[@armstada000]

yeah im afraid moisture is going to be a big problem

[@TheWillToMake]

Yes absolutely, that would definitely help with longevity.

[@she_sings_delightful_things]

Absolutely!

[@MsFlipper1969]

£3.20 for a picket fence board in UK from B&Q store

[@jessicaschulze5467]

Can you list the items you used? ie: how many pallets, boards etc.?

[@markfox3083]

Are termites an issue in your part of the world?

[@TheWillToMake]

They are as far as I know, but we've never had any issues with them

[@chinearocks]

Sorry if I missed it, but do you have a link for the sander you used before you painted?

[@TheWillToMake]

I do not, we just rented a big floor sander for this.

[@SheriL1]

I would've placed a good layer of ground cover under the pallets.

[@TheWillToMake]

Yes I know, this was meant to be something temporary until wood prices went back down.

[@SheriL1]

Looks good though.