Underneath Your Deck: What Should You Do With It?

Raised and second-story decks are becoming more and more popular in Pennsylvania. When you have a raised deck, there will be space underneath it that you can work with as well. Some homeowners might not know what to do with this space, but our team at Decks R Us can help you come up with ideas. Whether it be an extra living space, storage, or simply landscaping, we can work with you to create custom under-deck spaces for your backyard. Check out some styling options for underneath your deck below.

Stone Landscaping

All decks will benefit from some simple landscaping. Adding fabric and stones underneath your deck will make the structure look more finished and extend the lifespan of the materials. Our team will place landscaping fabric to reduce weed growth underneath the deck. Then we will place stones above to allow for more water drainage. We have two options of stones we can use for your under-deck. We can use regular grey stone, which is more affordable; we recommend this if your deck is lower to the ground. If your deck is higher above ground, we can use colorful river rock for a sophisticated look, but it is more expensive than the grey stone.

Lattice and Skirting

If you don’t want to use the space underneath your deck for anything, we can add lattice and skirting around the perimeter to close it off. Our team normally adds these when there is a two- to three-foot gap between the deck and ground, but we can also build these up to eight feet high. We offer diagonal lattice, square lattice, deck floorboards, or wide trim boards for skirting. Adding these will increase your deck’s visual appeal, make it look more finished, and deter pests from getting into your deck. Any deck we build with lattice or skirting has an access door installed so you can reach any items you store under your deck.

Storage

Building a storage space underneath your deck is a great utilization of the space. We can use our skirting materials to enclose the sides of the under-deck to use as a storage space. This will give you easy access to your gardening tools and equipment. The storage space can be simple with just the enclosed room, or we can build an elaborate one with a waterproof ceiling, concrete floor, and electricity. With this functional space, you can even create a workshop area for your projects.

Outdoor Living Spaces

Making your under-deck an outdoor living space will turn your deck project into two functional spaces. To make this possible, we add a ceiling system underneath your deck. Rubber roofing materials are installed between the deck’s frame and floorboards to gather any falling water. This water will flow towards the existing gutters and downspouts to keep the patio below dry. To finish it off, we add a soffit so we can install lighting and fans underneath while hiding any wires.

Poolside Patio

A poolside patio is a great way to get some extra shade after being in the pool. The second-story deck will be a sunny entertainment space while the patio below offers shade and protection from Pennsylvania’s weather elements. You could add a hot tub in this space to spend time outside even during the winter, making your backyard more relaxing and usable year-round. We recommend building a small storage space in this area for all your pool equipment and toys.

Outdoor TV Room

Underneath your deck is a great place to add comfortable seating with a TV. The ceiling system will keep all furniture dry, and the soffit will hide any electrical wires for the TV. We can add skirting behind the TV to further protect it from water. This area can be used for any occasion. It creates a space for your friends and family to gather and watch movies or sports on a summer evening. You can even build an outdoor fireplace so you can enjoy the space on chilly nights.

Dining Space

With the shade that the under-deck provides, this would be an ideal spot to build an outdoor dining space. It will keep you cool during hot Pennsylvania weather and protect you from rain while you’re enjoying a meal. To further enhance this space, create a small outdoor kitchen with a mini fridge and grill. Include some tables and seating arrangements for comfortable outdoor dining.

Decks R Us Custom Deck Ideas

Decks R Us can build custom, stunning decks for Pennsylvania homeowners to expand their outdoor living spaces. We can create a design specific to your needs and the style you want, whether that be simple or luxurious. Our under-deck services increase the use of your backyard, ensuring you have a functional space for storage or a shaded area during rainstorms. Check out our deck ideas and past projects to get inspiration for your backyard. If you’re ready to get started, contact us today to discuss your design. To get an estimated quote for your deck, use our deck cost calculator.