Cinder block Patio Possible?

Hello, newbie poster here
I have a deck that is deteriorating rapidly and want to replace it with a raised concrete patio, about 8x9. The problem is I am on a very tight budget and don’t have the equipment or manpower needed to do this. So, I had an idea of using cinder blocks instead for the patio, stacked two high. I don’t want to use pavers because I don’t want it close to the ground, and there would be a big drop off from my back porch. I would ideally like it even with my back porch. The deck is at same level as the porch.I’ve pulled up a few boards to measure the depth to the ground which is pretty consistent at around 16 inches, so two blocks stacked would be about the same height as the porch. I know I will need to do some leveling and need sand, but am thinking perhaps not so much, an inch or so.I’ve searched and can’t find anyone who has tried this. Does anyone see any drawbacks or flaws in this plan? Or have any advice?
Thank you!

 

Are you mortaring the CMU blocks together or leaving them loose (dry stack)? Either way i can see problems with both approaches.

 

Sounds like you're almost copying late 1940s-early 1950s flagstone patio technique.

Old way to make a patio, was to excavate and level an area to about 3-4" below grade, layout a perimeter with vertical concrete block, i.e. holes up, whci was then backfiled or rebared to hold it in place. Then you'd backfill with stone grit to about 1" below grade.
Place 1" thick flagstones, layout a pattern, add about 1/2" grit to hold in place, and finish with 1/2" of cement between the flagstones.

Sounds like you're thinking basically the same thing, but using a lower layer of block instead of grit.

As long as you compact the sub-base, it should work. I'd check prices for 4 cubic yards of stone grit, 72 sqft of pavers and a permieter of 20 blocks, versus the cost of 2 full layers of concrete block.

 

I was planning on the dry stack, and solid side up with caps around the perimeter. Actually I think 1 layer of blocks would work, and just make a small step down. It looks like the ground was excavated previously since the area around the deck is higher on two sides. I wanted to avoid deep sand and pavers, because there is so much tree debris where i live, and it would need to be cleaned often and washed. I'll def check out your suggestion though, might be a good alternative.

 

If this isn't making sense, right now I'm just so devastated about losing my deck. Not sure what happened to it, there is a weird white mold stuff underneath that seems to be taking over I'm not all that concerned about appearance. I know it won't be the prettiest thing in the world, just looking for an area to put a bench seat on. And maybe a small firepit.