Down Under
Systems that turn underdeck areas into living space are a growing add-on item.
Source: REPLACEMENT CONTRACTOR Magazine
Publication date: September 1, 2007
Contractors such as Demetrius Gadson have discovered a new land of opportunity — the space beneath the untold number of decks in the U.S.
For about four years, Gadson, a principal in PGA Construction, Kennesaw, Ga., has been installing “underdeck systems†— ceiling/drainage systems designed to provide at least partially sheltered living space. These systems are generally installed beneath deck joists in new or retrofit applications, and constitute a growing market. “These systems have been around for a while, but recently they’ve been getting more exposure,†Gadson adds.
EMERGING MARKET
“The market is just now emerging,†says Eric Smith, vice president of marketing for manufacturer Dry Under Deck, in Smyrna, Ga. “Demand is being created for this product by the end user,†— i.e., homeowners — largely thanks to growing awareness, he adds.
Indeed it is. This month one of the nation’s biggest home improvement companies, U.S. Home Systems, began offering the Quality Edge underdeck system through The Home Depot outlets in Minneapolis and Atlanta. “And we have every intention of taking it to all 40 markets,†says Sean Gallagher of Pro Materials Direct (www.promaterialsdirect.com), which distributes Quality Edge.
The underdeck product’s appeal to homeowners is broad and basic. “It’s probably the least expensive way to get more livable space because you double the square footage of the deck,†says Keith Risser, president of Dek Drain, a manufacturer in Columbia, Md. Adds Gadson, “It boils down to price and how often the homeowner is going to use the outside area.â€
Currently there are some 15 underdeck system manufacturers, contractors estimate, and products vary in design and effectiveness. Materials include aluminum and the rubber used in commercial roofing; costs range from $10 to $20 per square foot. Research vendors carefully, Gadson advises. “They may not look different, but being an installer and seeing how each system functions, there is a big difference.â€
INSTALLATION IS KEY
Easy installation is also a key consideration. Mike Forbes, owner of Austin Dream Decks, in Jonestown, Texas, who recently began installing the systems, says none have taken more than a day, with two people, “and that’s working 10 or 12 feet in the air.â€
Underdeck systems can dovetail nicely with existing products to make for profitable add-on sales, contractors say. And, they report, margins can range from 20% to 40%. —Jay Holtzman is a freelance writer based in Jamestown, R.I.
at 4 bucks a pill and I didn’t last four hours
I want my money back!
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sobriety is the root cause of dementia.
Replies
Did one last fall under a deck we built. Underdeck brand, found at Lowes. They stopped carrying it right about the time we finished. Good idea, though.
Bear
I just installed a system that is based on the one made by Dekdrain. In my opinion their system was a little pricey to me. So I bought some commercial EPDM membrane and cut my own pieces. That worked out to about $1.80 sf. I didn't have a problem spending 5 hours of my time to save myself $1800.
I can post some pics if you are interested.
Martin
Martin,
Sure, some pics would be great.
sobriety is the root cause of dementia.
I did something similar on my last house. I made "U" shaped copper pans and installed them between the joists so they drained into a gutter at the outside edge. Created a carport.
I just submitted a proposal to do approximately the same thing. I was several thousand bucks cheaper than the "system". I can't recall which one it was.
http://grantlogan.net/
I was born in a crossfire hurricane..........shooby dooby do
Was the decking already on? I need to do this too, was thinking metal (probably not copper though!), but the deck boards are on. I'm having trouble coming up with a good detail.
No, the decking was not on and won't be either on this next one. I am currently looking at another situation on some condos. The deck is complete and owned by the upstairs unit owner. The downstairs owner want's his space to be dry. My first thought is to pan it with this profile which can be installed from the bottom. Won't be perfectly dry. An ocasional drip might come thru at the pan/joist junction.
View Imagehttp://grantlogan.net/
I was born in a crossfire hurricane..........shooby dooby do
That's pretty much what I had come up with, and figured the occasional drip wouldn't hurt much.
I did think about starting with L-shaped flashings above the pan, caulked to the joists. I don't like relying on caulk for much of anything but this might be a situation where it makes sense.
I don't like relying on caulk for much of anything but this might be a situation where it makes sense.
My plan is to lay a bead of caulk under the flange before installing the pans.
http://grantlogan.net/
I was born in a crossfire hurricane..........shooby dooby do
Any concerns about water and debris getting trapped in the between the metal and the wood and rotting the wood? Even PT will rot if the conditions are bad enough....
The first one I did (my old house) is 13 yrs old. I was over there a couple of months ago visiting my old neighbors and it still looked fine.http://grantlogan.net/
I was born in a crossfire hurricane..........shooby dooby do
Sounds like a plan then.
Hmm, I'm really curious about this topic. I'm sitting here at my parents' house that has a second story deck, over top of a hot tub. When it rains, the water drips between the decking and you can imagine the fun below.What about sheathing the underside of the deck, so the pans are then hidden from a view below. Presumably you could use something other than copper as well? (Or maybe the cost reduction would be outweighed by the longevity of the copper?)I assume it would keep the stray drips that escape the pan from hitting you, but would it accumulate enough moisture over the years to cause problems of another sort?
What about sheathing the underside of the deck, so the pans are then hidden from a view below
On one of these upcoming projects, there will be a finished ceiling below. On the other, the metal will show. On the one with the finished ceiling, there will be access from above. The deck boards are getting replaced, so we'll be doing a detail similar to what SamT posted above except the third piece will be a hat on top of the joists so what lands on top of the joists drips clear of the joist into the pans.
On carport, I just attached "U" shaped pans to the sides of the joists. No caulk. The flanges were pointing up. The only time it dripped was when it was thunderstorming so hard you didn't want to be outside anyway. Oh yeah, and one time when there was about 2' of snow on it when the thaw came.http://grantlogan.net/
I was born in a crossfire hurricane..........shooby dooby do
View ImageSamT
I've had that idea, but haven't figured out a way to attach the pan below the joist.http://grantlogan.net/
I was born in a crossfire hurricane..........shooby dooby do
View Image?SamT
a friend of mine used fiberglass panels under his deck similar to this config. and used special rubber washerd nails to attach them I don't know the exact dimensions of the panels but it does work and keeps it dry below if I go by his way I'll try to remember the camera
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