If you have an upper level deck, you possibly have a useful space underneath which could be turned into an excellent dry storage area or perhaps even a new living and outdoor dining area without too much effort or expense. So what are the main options?

You’ve probably heard of under deck ceiling systems. These systems are available from various manufacturers and they generally involve fixing sheets or panels to the underside of the deck. All these systems all offer a variation on the same theme. Let’s look at some of the options.

From a DIY point of view, probably the simplest system for an under deck ceiling would be the solid vinyl systems such as those offered by Underdeck and DrySnap. These systems generally consist of interlocking solid panels or curved vinyl sheets with an associated system of guttering

On the other hand, you could consider systems which use a more flexible type of sheeting material such as the rubber membrane system used by DekDrain or the flexible vinyl sheeting system such as that supplied by RainEscape. These are also generally DIY type products.

Whilst most of the above systems mean that the underside of your deck has a series of troughs fitted between the deck joists, with the troughs carrying water away to one side of your deck, if you prefer a flat ceiling, then you would probably consider other systems such as Decks Under Cover and Undercover Systems Inc. which offer respectively aluminum and galvanized steel products. Generally speaking these solid metal under deck systems need to be installed by their own specialized contractors. One unique feature of the Undercover Systems product is that it is not directly attached to the deck joists, which the company claims offers superior features.

But instead of constructing a ceiling or a series of troughs underneath your deck, your other option is to cover the top of your deck with a waterproof material. The most common method is to install either a vinyl surface or aluminum surface, but the major disadvantage is that if you have a classic hardwood wood deck you may not wish to hide it with vinyl or aluminum.

Yet another alternative, and perhaps the simplest and most cost-effective way of creating a waterproof area underneath an existing deck is to use snap together outdoor tiles. These tiles simply lock in place over an existing hard surface. Although the tiles themselves are not waterproof, the solution is that you firstly lay down and EPDM sheet over the top of your existing deck.

Then all you have to do is snap these modular tiles in place over the EPDM sheet. So there’s no nails, no screws, or adhesives involved and you won’t need to employ any contractors. You’ll probably only need to cut some tiles on the last row where the tiles but against the outside wall.

Another of the advantages of using deck tiles to create a dry deck area under an elevated deck is that if you wish to change the surface from wood to another surface material, a few manufacturers also offer you the choice of tiles in slate, granite, porcelain and composite wood. You may also be able to mix several of these materials. For example you could create a centre piece in slate tiles surrounded by wood tiles. And if you are a tired of the additional maintenance of wood deck, then you have the option of using low maintenance composite wood as well.

Irrespective of the under deck waterproofing system you eventually choose, in all cases you can be sure that you’ll have a nice dry area underneath the deck to enjoy at your leisure or simply use as an additional storage area.

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