

This product features metal brackets that attach to joists, which in turn attach to metal panels. Many underdeck drainage systems have large V-shaped channels that, while giving a finished look for space below, do not look like a normal flat ceiling. This product comes in two neutral colors–bone and white and runs about $4 per square foot, making it one of the cheaper under-joist options. It’s also made of vinyl, so it will more than likely outlast the life of the deck above it. Like many under joist products, In addition to providing a drainage system that keeps the area under the deck dry for other uses, it also creates an attractive ceiling that makes it ideal for underdeck living spaces. This product works with joists that are spaced 12 to 16 inches apart on center. That gutter system then sends the water to an area that grades away from the home’s foundation. Each bracket has a channel that holds a vinyl trough that spans the distance between each joist.Įach trough has a slope of 1/8 of an inch every foot, allowing it to shunt water that falls through the deck to a gutter that runs the length of the deck’s outer beam. It works by fitting U-shaped brackets over the bottoms of the joists. DrySpaceĭrySpace from Timbertech is an excellent option for retrofitting an existing deck. And, since the drainage system encloses the framing, it can take longer for the joists and beams to dry, which can cause problems. While this system creates an attractive ceiling for the living space under the deck, it doesn’t protect the deck’s framing from water.

For this reason, most below the joist drainage systems have removable panels to allow the spaces between the joists to be sprayed out with a hose. These systems attach to the underside of the joist.īelow the joist systems require more maintenance as debris that falls through the decking must be periodically cleared from the top of the drainage system. They are installed, so they create a slope that carries water to a gutter attached to the ridge of the deck beam, where it is directed to a drainage area.Ī below-deck joint drainage system is ideal for retrofitting a deck as it doesn’t require the deck to be dismantled for installation. Below the Joist Deck Drainage Systemsĭeck drainage systems installed below the decking consist of rigid metal or vinyl pieces that attach to the underside of the joists of the above deck. Some deck drainage systems installed into the cracks between the decking prevent the water from making it below the deck, causing the water to run off of the outer part of the deck or to a gutter that runs along the edge of the deck. Underdeck drainage systems catch and redirect water in one of three parts of the deck–on the deck’s surface, between the decking and the joists, or below the joists. True to its name, underdeck drainage systems are installed under the decking. Many systems will still allow for drips or may not provide total protection during downpours.


It’s important to understand that many of these systems are not completely watertight. Some systems will also protect the deck’s framing from water, adding years to a deck’s life. In certain situations, a deck drainage system can also solve drainage problems that may be causing water to pool underneath a deck or collect around the deck’s footings. It also allows for installing certain electrical elements, such as lighting or a ceiling fan, while also protecting patio furniture.Ī deck drainage system can also allow you to create a storage space for yard equipment and other tools. If you have an elevated deck with living space underneath it, installing a drainage system that prevents rainwater from seeping through the upper deck to the patio or deck underneath, while not essential, is an excellent way of improving the living space below.Ī deck drainage system creates an outdoor living space that’s usable during inclement weather. How Much Do Deck Drainage Systems Cost?.
