Ways to Create and Protect Underdeck Features

Decks are where homeowners gather with family and friends to enjoy the outdoors while eating and relaxing in comfort and style. But the party doesn’t have to happen just on the deck. You can go below deck, too, and reimagine that space for more outdoor living and entertainment. 

At Neave, our carpentry team offers single and multi-level deck construction and works with homeowners to maximize their space for a vibrant hangout or a peaceful hideaway. 

Homeowners can follow these three steps to make what’s hidden below their deck into a showstopper of its own. 

Step 1: Preparing Your Space

Before making your underdeck space usable and safe, you must protect it from inclement weather. Here in the Hudson Valley, that’s essential. Waterproofing can be added to already constructed decks – whether made from wood or composite materials – or included as part of a deck construction project. The underdeck area can be kept dry and comfortable by capturing and diverting water that lands on the upper deck. 

The ground must also be prepared and leveled, if necessary, to accommodate the right flooring or covering. 

Step 2: Creating Your Space

Maybe your underdeck area is a blank canvas ready for inspiration. Perhaps it’s already in use but lacks inspiration. Regardless, if you know how you want or need to use the space, then it can happen. 

Step 3: Protecting Your Space

To get the most use out of your newly created space, you must ensure its protection for years. Enjoying your space and forgetting to keep it clean and secure is easy.

The main ways an underdeck area can be damaged or lose value are with too much moisture or a lack of maintenance. This is why waterproofing your underdeck is essential to planning and protecting any outdoor space. But it doesn’t stop at just that. We recommend you clean your underdeck area twice yearly (spring and fall), especially if it is unfinished and the boards from the above deck are exposed. 

Use a cleaning solution suitable for the deck board materials – wood or composite. You can purchase a ready-made product from a local home improvement store or use readily available household items. Before starting, remove or cover any items under your deck, and as you clean, look for loose boards or fasteners. Keeping the underdeck boards clean will extend their life and safety, improving their look. 

We love helping our customers imagine how they can create the best outdoor spaces. Some of the finest and most fun moments happen when people gather outside to eat, play, and relax, so let’s make the most out of all the space your home and yard offer. 

Contact Neave Group today, and let our amazing contractors assess your outdoor space for a Trex Deck!