Set Design and Construction: elevated deck

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elevated deck

Printed From: Community Theater Green Room
Category: Producing Theater
Forum Name: Set Design and Construction
Forum Discription: Post your questions or suggestions about designing or building a set here.
URL: http://www.communitytheater.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=5043
Printed Date: 10/30/25 at 11:18pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 8.05 - http://www.webwizforums.com

Topic: elevated deck

Posted By: Kim L.
Subject: elevated deck
Date Posted: 4/17/11 at 6:52pm

I just bumped-in my set for our show. I have an elevated deck that goes the full width of the upstage space (32'long x 8' deep x 2' high). I had brand new platforms made for the show with the exception of one old 12' platform. The new platforms are 4'x8' and made from 2'x4' frames with joists 2' apart. The guy who built these did a really nice job. He had blue snap lines all over the top which told me he tried really hard to get them squared and correct. The lid was 3/4" plywood. We put 2'x4' legs on with diagonal bracing from leg to platform.

When we put the platforms together to make the deck, the producer's husband felt the structure might not be sound enough for a bunch of kids to be dancing on. Admittedly, the seems between platforms have a few gaps, making a questionable trip hazard.

The producer's husband suggested we top the plywood deck with tongue and groove plywood across the entire deck.

Does the deck seem safe to you guys? yes, they are a little noisy when you jump around on them but I think with the construction ( to specs) and the bracing, these things are sound. I would be willing to lay underneath them while 10 kids danced on them!

What about the seams? If the structure is sound, is there a way to get the gaps between platforms smoothed out? I suspect it might be the legs that are making the uneven seams.

Should I go with the tongue and groove plywood across the deck? Sure sounds like a lot of money to me.

We are a home school group with a cast of 53 kids in the show.

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Kim

Replies:

Posted By: dboris
Date Posted: 4/18/11 at 12:45pm

The construction you describe seems sound to me as long as you have legs in the middle of the 8 foot spans as well as the corners. I don't see a structural problem with the gaps between the platform, but if the if one platform is slightly higher then the other, then you will have a trip hazard in which case you can try shimming the left to get the platforms level.

If you really want to cover the gaps I wouldn't bother with plywood. If the gaps aren't to big you could just tape over them with gaffers tape. Another option is to cover the platforms with hardboard/masonite so that they span the gaps.

Posted By: didj1028
Date Posted: 4/18/11 at 1:08pm

if you decide you need to cover it again to reduce gaps I'd use some 1/4" masonite or something similar. cheaper than more plywood and will serve just as well. might have to paint it to take out a little of the slickness factor depending on how you use it. your basic construction sounds like solid work though. as long as you have enough legs you'll be fine. if it feels wiggly add more crossbracing.

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Geoff Ehrendreich
Waterloo Community Playhouse
Waterloo IA

Posted By: didj1028
Date Posted: 4/18/11 at 1:09pm

you might be able to reduce noise with carpet (screwed down on the edges) if it wouldn't interfere with dance moves. would also cover gaps.

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Geoff Ehrendreich
Waterloo Community Playhouse
Waterloo IA

Posted By: Kim L.
Date Posted: 4/18/11 at 3:28pm

Can you paint gaffer's tape? My deck is brown.

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Kim

Posted By: gelcat
Date Posted: 4/18/11 at 5:01pm

Gaff takes paint beautifully on floors - just get the edges down really really well - like pressing down with a hard edged something to seal the edges

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www.actorsguildonline.org
Actors Guild of Parkersburg
Parkersburg, WV

Posted By: Kim L.
Date Posted: 4/18/11 at 5:18pm

ok thanks. I think I will try the gaffa and adding legs before investing in 256 sq. ft. of plywood.

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Kim

Posted By: Majicwrench
Date Posted: 4/18/11 at 10:09pm

Tongue and groove for that is serious overkill. If you really decide to lay something over top of it all, didj is right on, just get some cheap masonite or something.

Posted By: dwertz
Date Posted: 5/03/11 at 8:39pm

Hey Kim L.,

Did you get your problems taken care of? For future reference, one of the best things to do when placing platforms side by side is to use small clamps while keeping your tops flush, then screwing the frames together. Also, it is also a mistake to mount legs without clamping and screwing. Lumber nowadays is a little inconsistent and if you don't pull the legs tight to the frame with a clamp, they tend to 'walk' on you. I like the carpet idea to quiet things down, but can be expensive as well. Sometimes using corrugated cardboard is just as easy but not real friendly to heels. For extra stability, mount to the floor if possible by toenailing with duplex head nails. I prefer not to use screws as the may break in a hardwood floor and then you need a vice grip to have them removed come strike time. I've been building sets for about 30 years and my #1 rule is safety first. Hope this helps!