“ One of the easiest ways to add value and
function to any outdoor area is to create
usable, dry storage space beneath a deck.
TREX
GO BELOW: UTILIZING UNDER-DECK AREAS
For years, homeowners – not to mention architects, builders and
contractors – have neglected to take advantage of under-deck
spaces. And, for those that have used the space under a deck for
storage, odds are it hasn’t been pretty – especially in light of our
often wet and rainy U.K. climate. I’ve certainly seen my share of
outdoor storage spaces filled with deteriorating items covered
in mud, mould and mildew due to being exposed to too much
moisture.
Still, creating useable space beneath a deck is one of my favourite
add-ons to any garden project. The secret to success and
customer satisfaction is adding a deck drainage system. Using a
network of troughs and downspouts, these systems capture and
divert water away from a deck, not only preserving the studwork
but also making the area under the deck useable for storage or as
additional living area.
There are two main categories of drainage systems available,
depending on whether they’re installed above or below the joists.
For optimal protection and aesthetics, I prefer an above-thejoist
system, such as Trex® RainEscape®. This system uses an
ultra-durable, rubberized membrane that drapes down into each
Above, Trex RainEscape installed.
joist bay. The membrane pieces are shaped so that they can be
stapled to the top of the joists yet hang lower at one end of the
bay to facilitate drainage. When the joists cantilever past a bearer,
separate pieces are installed on each side and sloped to direct
water to a gutter on the inner face of the beam.
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