What is Under YOUR Deck?

[UpstateSC_Papi]

OK -

Some of you know we are building (cheap plug of thread!), but I have a possibly odd question...

Off our back porch will be a deck. Not exactly sure of the size but for argument's sake let's say 20' X 30'. Based on the "lay of the land", I would expect 99% of the deck floor to be approx 10-12 inches off the ground.

What would you do to, place on, cover with the ground that will eventually be under the deck?

Want to avoid weeds, etc from growing up. That is, want zero maintenance (or as close to zero as possible) for that area...

Thanks!

Michael

 

[WBWI]

Michael,

We have landscape fabric and a fine crushed stone covering the area under our deck.


If there is a chance the deck will get screened in, you might also consider putting screening down before the deck boards are laid. We did that in anticipation of screening ours in.

 

[ancientlake]

Even with a southern exposure, nothing grows under my deck (about 3 feet off the ground) except at the very edge.

I did pour a 8 ft wide rough slab in one section to stack firewood. This works well but had to protect the pile from drips from above.

 

[tony123]

David,

I don't think you'll have issue with anything growing under your deck.

If you want low maintenance, then I would consider a paved patio instead of wood deck. Concrete, pavers, stone, etc. Any of those choices will have a longer life than wood, as well as far less maintenance. You're only a foot off grade, so you could come two steps out of the house and then patio, or a patio that steps down with grade if necessary.

When we did our front porch, it was cheaper to do in concrete than wooden deck. We went with wood on the back, for the "feel" of it.

 

[riptides]

If you want low maintenance, then I would consider a paved patio instead of wood deck. Concrete, pavers, stone, etc. Any of those choices will have a longer life than wood, as well as far less maintenance. You're only a foot off grade, so you could come two steps out of the house and then patio, or a patio that steps down with grade if necessary.

Good point. Better investment too.

-Mike Z.

 

[hunterridgefarm]

What is Under YOUR Deck?

Two chicken bones, a candybar wrapper and a quarter .



Michael,

I like Tony's idea about the pavers or concrete. But if you are going with wood the fabric and some stone should do fine. My current deck has been on for twenty years and at one corner is is 2-3 foot off the ground. I have never had a problem with anything growing under it just around the edges. I did put lattice around the bottom to help keep leaves and trash from blowing under.

David

 

[Kays Supply]

I did the exact same as WBWI. I went with Trex instead of wood, to avoid spinters in bare feet. I also used a foil backed sheeting and foil covered insulation before sealing the under side. The temperature on the deck is never any hotter than air temp.

 

[RobS]

Last house had a 20X20 deck and this one has a large wrap-around porch. Neither have anything under and neither had any problems with weeds and such. I wouldn't worry about it, put your money elsewhere.

 

[gordon21]

If you do build an elevated deck, make sure to put strips of roofing felt along the top of the floor joists before you lay the deck boards on them. A strip 5-6" wide is fine. That protects the top of the stringers from rot. The deck boards go on top and you will barely be able to see the felt between the 1/4" cracks. This little step costing about $10 will prolong the life of your deck by several years. When you put the felt on, lightly crease it with your hand so that it falls away from the top of the stringer at a 45 degree angle. That way you will have the top covered and make a little tent. The top 2" of the stringer will never get wet.

PT or ACQ lumber will eventually rot or soften enough so the screws/nails will pull out. This step extends the life of the deck. Use star drive coated screws for best deck life. They are designed to work with ACQ lumber. Do NOT use plain galvanized nails. They will corrode and your boards will be loose in less than 3 years. You will then have to rip up all the deck boards and then re fasten them. I had to do that with a spec house we bought once. The builder probably saved $40 by not using the felt paper and the proper coated screws. It cost me several weekends of work after only being in the new house 3 years.

 

[Megado]

I agree and wouldn't worry about it. Put your money to better use elsewhere. We have a 16'x10' multilevel deck that grows to 25'x10' at the lowest level. Never had a problem with weeds other than right along the edge which I can easily reach with the weed-eater.

Jim H.