OP
My back deck build
- Thread starter kevinwak
- Start date
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EddieWalker
Epic Contributor
Beautiful looking deck. Really nice touch using the different colored materials!!!!
Around here you couldn't close in the bottom of the deck due to moisture. I don't know what it's like there, but down here in the South, we need the air flow under the deck to keep everything dry. I've seen where clients have closed theirs in just like you have and in just a year, mold is growing everywhere. When it rains, the water goes through the gaps in the deck boards and soaks into the ground. Then it just stays moist forever because there isn't any sunlight or wind to dry it out.
Eddie
Around here you couldn't close in the bottom of the deck due to moisture. I don't know what it's like there, but down here in the South, we need the air flow under the deck to keep everything dry. I've seen where clients have closed theirs in just like you have and in just a year, mold is growing everywhere. When it rains, the water goes through the gaps in the deck boards and soaks into the ground. Then it just stays moist forever because there isn't any sunlight or wind to dry it out.
Eddie
EddieWalker
Epic Contributor
Beautiful looking deck. Really nice touch using the different colored materials!!!!
Around here you couldn't close in the bottom of the deck due to moisture. I don't know what it's like there, but down here in the South, we need the air flow under the deck to keep everything dry. I've seen where clients have closed theirs in just like you have and in just a year, mold is growing everywhere. When it rains, the water goes through the gaps in the deck boards and soaks into the ground. Then it just stays moist forever because there isn't any sunlight or wind to dry it out.
Eddie
Around here you couldn't close in the bottom of the deck due to moisture. I don't know what it's like there, but down here in the South, we need the air flow under the deck to keep everything dry. I've seen where clients have closed theirs in just like you have and in just a year, mold is growing everywhere. When it rains, the water goes through the gaps in the deck boards and soaks into the ground. Then it just stays moist forever because there isn't any sunlight or wind to dry it out.
Eddie
The Suburban Farmer
Silver Member
+ 1
I LOVE the 2-tone look of the deck. The dark edge looks fantastic... nice design! HOWEVER, I have to agree with Eddie -- totally sealing up the bottom can cause moisture problems. Don't ask me how I know...
Make sure you at least put some adequate vents in there.
sld
Veteran Member
Very nice job! I am a big fan of closing the bottom out for several reasons. Keeps critters out, looks better and I use mine for seasonal storage. I used cedar and the boards will shrink slightly. This has always been enough airflow to prevent problems. Here is a pic before staining. The deck is 12 years old but I redid the bottom boards due to rot. This time I added a river rock border to prevent the premature rotting.
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Dutch445
Elite Member
Eddie how much venting would you recommend? i used 5/4 PT on a deck last year in the same fashion, but i left 1/8 gap with the wet wood that will
open a bit more as it dries. deck is 12x15. i had not considered a moisture problem.
TCJatko
Platinum Member
Nice job. As others have stated, the two-tone look is very attractive.
gsganzer
Elite Member
- Joined
- Jun 11, 2003
- Messages
- 3,196
- Location
- Denton, TX
- Tractor
- L3800 w/FEL and BH77, BX 2200 w/FEL and MMM
Your giving me some great ideas for our deck and patio project. I really like the Trex and the accent color.
EddieWalker
Epic Contributor
As a builder, and somebody who has to stand behind what I build, I will always say that the maximum amount of ventilation you can possibly get is recommended. Think of it this way. Your deck is a series of boards with gaps between them. The gaps are big enough to let water through them, but not enough to let the sun dry out what's under there. You basically have a very nice shady area under your deck. When the sun cannot dry out the moisture, you need wind or air movement to do this. How much really depends on how wet it gets and how long will it remain wet under your deck? At what point does this moisture attract bugs? When does this moisture lead to decay and mold on your wood? And yes, Pressure Treated wood does rot and it's a great place for mold and mildew to grow. By closing off the sides of a deck, you are creating the perfect environment for this to happen. I have never built a deck with anything more on the sized then lattice.
Eddie