Bug screen under composite decking material
I am building an attached screened-in deck onto the back of my house. I live right on the edge of 30 acres of woods; so the bugs this time of year make it hard to enjoy being outside. Here is the progress so far:
I’m using Fiberon brand composite decking material (don’t remember the product name; but it’s their style that is wrapped on 4 sides). I’d like to put screen down on the joists before adding the deck boards to keep bugs/spiders from getting in that way. Any issues with doing this? The product requires a certain amount of airflow (cannot be placed directly on the ground), that’s the only thing I can see being an issue. It’s still bug screen, though, not plastic sheeting that will block all air movement. Thanks in advance for your thoughts.
Replies
The "issue" is that, over
The "issue" is that, over time, "cr*p" (technical term) will sift down through the cracks and build up on the screen.
If the deck were high enough I'd recommend screening under the deck with removable panels, but there isn't enough ground clearance for that, judging from the picture.
Just put the screen in loose. Mine is about 25 years old and there is plenty of crap down there but it isn't hurting anything.
no issue with air flow
YOu can vacuum the "cr*p" out of it.
I'd run the screen as you are planning. We run it all the time w/o issue.
deck screening
Install a screened lattace skirt around the perimeter of the deck. Would improve the look also.
I do intend to have a lattice skirt to keep the bigger critters out; but with the piers/etc there, even if I put screen on the back side of the lattice it's going to be difficult to seal the perimeters to the same level of bug-proofness that I can achieve with the above method. I see the above point about stuff getting in the gaps. Since it will all be screened in, though, and entry/exit will be from the house 99% of the time, I don't expect much in the way of random leaves and stuff getting in there. I can hit it with the shop vac as needed.