Hello, 

I moved into my current house about 6 years ago, it has an inground pool with a 3ft wide concrete pad around it. There was an existing cedar deck that extends from the back of the house with the boards going over the concrete to the pool edge. One spot was sagging badly so I removed the boards and found the deck was severely rotted (see pictures). It appears there was already deck boards running to the edge of the concrete, and then another set of boards was placed directly on top to extend it over the concrete. Previous owner has also said they used deck blocks for footings so it is floating and not attached to the house. 

Based on the level of rot, I have decided the best option is just to replace this entire deck. I would like to keep the deck low and level with the concrete around the pool. There are a few things that make this complicated and am looking for suggestions or recommendations.

1. **Footings/support**: With regards to the inground pool, how close can the footings be placed? Should the footings/beams run parallel or perpendicular to the back of the house or the side with the cedar hedge?

I am assuming it is not a good idea to install a ledger board on the pool concrete for support, so would the beams just cantilever out to the pool edge? It appears there was a 2x6 secured against the concrete on the old deck. I would think there should be some gap to allow water to drain between the deck and pool. 

Also on the topic of footings, could a floating deck/deck blocks be used for this scenario?

2. **Excavation**: I was thinking to keep the deck low at ground level and ensure better drainage/ventilation, I may need to remove some soil and lay down some gravel. How much of a gap should there be between the bottom of the joists/beams and the ground? 

3. **Hedges**: along the one side of the deck is a row of tall cedar hedges. Currently the deck has two boards underneath the hedge, but I am planning to remove those. What would be the best way to frame this end of the deck? Should I just lay down a PT 6x6 post and let that contact the soil?

4. **Materials**: I wanted to go with a composite (I like the idea of not having to stain every other year). Framing would still be PT lumber. Any concerns with using a composite near a salt water pool? Rona currently has some TimeberTech Prime on sale, about $2.77/linear foot. 

See pictures and layout of the backyard with the existing deck, pool, and hedges. 

  
Thank you in advance for any help!

Deck framing around an inground pool?