Freestanding vs. Attached Deck: Pros, Cons, Cost, and Which to Build

Reviewed and updated October 2026.

The short answer: an attached (ledgered) deck bolts to your house framing through a ledger board; a freestanding deck stands on its own posts a few inches off the house. For most Michigan homes they cost about the same and look identical from on top. We build freestanding by default: no holes through your siding or brick, no chance of water getting behind the ledger, and a properly braced freestanding frame on galvanized steel ground screws does not sway. The one case for a ledger is when you want the space underneath kept open for a patio.

Here is how the two compare on structure, water risk, brick and stone homes, height, cost and permits, plus the one we recommend and why.

Attached Deck

An attached deck, also known as a ledgered deck, is secured to your home using a ledger board, so it relies on both structural posts and your house framing for support.

Pros

• Fewer structural posts are needed to support the deck
• It leaves more room to build a patio or for storage underneath
• It will sway less than a high, off the grade (10’+) freestanding deck

Cons

• Improper installation can lead to water damage in your home
• Poor connection from the ledger board to your home can lead to deck failure
• Complex ledger board installations can be tedious (through brick or stone veneer)

Special Considerations

Ledger Board Precautions
The #1 reason decks fail is from an improperly installed ledger board. Its connection to the house is crucial to the longevity of the deck and the safety of everyone who enjoys it.

Contractors must use enough proper metal fasteners to secure the ledger board and deck to your home; the flashing also needs to be installed correctly. Otherwise, you can find yourself with water penetration issues or a deck that could break away from your house.

Attaching Ledger Board to Brick
For safety reasons, attaching a deck ledger to a stone or brick veneer is not permitted by code in most municipalities. But many building departments are now accepting decks with ledger boards attached through the exterior and into the house’s framing – with specialized fasteners designed for this purpose.

Fortunately, Simpson Strong-Tie creates a fastener just for this purpose called the Brick Veneer Ledger Connector or BVLZ (the Z stands for Z-Max, which is their exclusive coating for exterior fasteners).

This kind of installation requires access through your basements’ ceiling. That could mean cutting the drywall (but don’t worry, not your walls) or, in the case of a drop ceiling, simply moving the panels out of the way.

Freestanding Decks

Freestanding decks are the most common and are separate from your home, relying entirely on structural posts for stability.

Pros

• No penetration into your home so there is no possibility of water getting into your home and causing damage
• More compatible with brick, stone, or oddly shaped houses
• It doesn’t add extra weight to the structure of your home
• It’s simpler to build compared to complex ledger installations

Cons

• Higher off the grade decks (10’+) can have slight sway to them
• Improper installation of the footings can lead to the deck slanting or drifting away from the house

Special Considerations

Deck Footing Depth
One of the most critical aspects of building a freestanding deck (or any type for that matter) is making sure the footings go below the frost line so the deck doesn’t shift during freeze-thaw cycles. On our builds that means galvanized steel ground screws instead of poured concrete: driven below frost depth, rot-proof, and no wait for concrete to cure.

Freestanding Deck Height
Also, consider the height you’d like to build your deck. The lower it is to the ground, the less you’ll have to worry about it swaying. But that problem can be significantly reduced with taller decks using diagonal sway bracing. We go into the details in Will Your Second-Story Deck Sway?

Freestanding Vs. Attached Deck Costs

Building an attached vs. freestanding deck will cost about the same for many homes with siding. Even though you have fewer structural posts to install when using a ledger, removing the siding, installing the ledger board, and attaching the flashing takes time.

Things get more labor attentive when you need to drill through the brick veneer to attach the ledger to your home’s rim joist with the BVLZ. It adds labor, and the amount depends on the deck’s size and design; the quickest way to see where your project lands is our online deck estimator, and our Michigan deck cost guide explains what drives the number.

Which Should You Choose?

A freestanding vs. attached deck, what is the better choice?

Well, the best type of deck for your home will depend on various factors, including the design of your deck, the style of your house siding, the deck’s proposed height, and the need for space underneath. But an experienced deck builder will reliably be able to build either and have it last for decades. One thing that doesn’t change between the two: in Michigan, both need a building permit and an inspection.

However, if you aren’t planning on installing a patio underneath, an attached deck has few major benefits. That, on top of the potential for water damage, is why we typically recommend building a freestanding deck.

Ready to Start the Building Process?

At Custom Deck Creations, we’ve built more than 1,000 composite decks across Southeast Michigan, almost all of them freestanding. If you’re in Southeast Michigan and ready for a deck of your own, get in touch! We’d love to chat about your project!

Please feel free to also check out our blog if you want to learn more about composite decks and how they compare to wood. We’ve also created an FAQ full of the most popular questions from our customers.