Recently had a new deck installed and have an awkward sized gap from the deck to the ground that makes the area underneath pretty unusable. Any ideas for a way to close off/close in this area without it looking bad? First thought was maybe just some landscaping/plants/flowers around the perimeter of the deck.
I would just leave it, looks totally fine.
This☝️...if I did, I'd use composite lattice.
Big mistake… I used composite lattice, cracked first winter.
You used Composite or his cheaper friend Plastic? They make cold climate composites...
I used composite, the expensive stuff. Guess it just can’t handle Canadian winters. Not enough flex.
You should have used whale bones and seal furs. Amateur. /s
Airs out no moisture
Same. Provides good airflow on such a small gap. It doesn't look bad. Take a picture, use AI and add lattice like CopyWeak said to see what it looks like. That's the most I would do.
If it were mine, I'd leave it.
If your goal is to keep pets and debris out, use hardware cloth. A quick roll with black paint, you won't see it unless you look for it.
Vevor sells black vinyl coated hardware cloth rolls for a lot cheaper than you will get it at a big box hardware store
Vinyl coated? Sounds like it will all crack off within a year or two.
Don't. That's how you create the rat and/or snake den.
I laid a 2x4 on the ground and screwed store-bought lattice work (Lowes) and staple gunned screen on the back to keep leaves and miscellaneous critters out. It’s worked well for the last 12 yers.
Lattice, it will still allow airflow, keep out small animals, or big animals, and it looks nice.
Leaver it. It will be easier to get the skunk out.
Leave it, your dogs will love rolling around in the dirt/mud under there.....Ask me how I know....
Leave it open, makes it less likely that critters will move in. Plus better air flow.
Don't close it in... it will prevent air movement and introduce rot. Plants and bushes around it if you feel like it but it looks fine.
Honestly, it looks better is covering the bottom with rocks just limestone cheapest stuff. It will get rid of the wildlife and reasons for the dogs to go under there.
Exactly what I thought. Go get some rocks.
I really like the airflow idea, but maybe a few small bushes or hostas that die every year and come back.
Agreed. Some small shrubs in front would be dual purpose.
https://preview.redd.it/j0enpfd9co9g1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=9f762ed20abe7d211cfef455d0db2032a60b3d1f
I like using deck boards either horizontally or vertically
Trellis, blocks, more decking wood... There are many options. Make sure you choose an option that keeps animals from living under there (or crawling under there to die)... Speaking from experience that it's something to consider depending on where you live
Personally id use deck boards. Probably vertically. But you could do horizontal as well.
A non-woven landscape fabric would also accomplish the same thing or brown tarp from a hardware store the thicker the better
Worst idea here so far
Your idea was pretty good too.
I gave it more thought than you did
Good boy
By doing nothing, it looks fine
Lattice. Easy.
Leave it open so you get plenty of air flow under it.
I would dry stack stones. It would look nice and keep varmints out.
Don’t bother. If you must, just a row of plants should do the job.
2x6 with quarter inch gaps
Plastic lattice painted to match.
What deck? All I see are awesome doggos….
Lattice, but nothing is better
Per comments, leave it
Chicken wire or similar, small "cell" thin wire fencing then lattice. Looks finished and keeps critter and leaves from getting under the deck.
Shrubs
Would stain the posts after they dry out then put mesh so things couldn't get under it
Inset black pvc or plastic privacy screen. Frame it to enhance the look. It will be easier to handle and clean.
https://preview.redd.it/bj4qgrholn9g1.jpeg?width=794&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=0ca12c7993c138144dfeb6ed43dd8779a17c5666
Plastic lattice
Run a base board and attach vertical fence pickets behind the base and the deck rim.
https://preview.redd.it/2xa4hgi1on9g1.jpeg?width=1125&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=94afefd51cf306bbabc44e71390e4bf458b4a2fc
BTW the hot tub is supported by a concrete slab.
You had to spoil our fun with that last sentence didn't you?
I know how ya’ll think. I also bolted the beams to the sides of the posts and have no regrets.
Leave it. I used wire mesh on mine and now have a colony of squirrels in there and probably 1000 black walnut shells. You can't keep them out.
I hate lattice so I used cedar fence pickets. They are cheap and easy to hang. No critters are getting under there. I went vertical, I guess you could go horizontal.
Cut the legs off the deck.
black lattice
I wouldn’t bother, looks great.
just put lattice trellis there and paint any colour you want
I built flower beds in front of mine
Brown plastic lattice.
Really appreciate all the helpful tips! I should clarified on my question that I don’t want to completely seal it, as like a bunch of you said that can create more problems. Just trying to make it either more functional or beautify it a little. I like the idea of some stone underneath, staining the posts and maybe some shrubs or flower beds - my wife’s been wanting to make some, as we custom built window flower beds at our first house. Thank you again!!
5/4 deck boards run vertically. You could build frames and fit in between deck posts or just run supporting stringers between post and run your vertical boards all along. That would possibly look the best. You have a nice deck built there.
Leave as is - anything closed up just invites critters.
We split it into sections with verticle boards then ran them about 6ft horizontal. Looks nice.
Landscaping
Planters, lattice or leave it.
I have a similar setup, leave it open and add plants
Flower beds and low shrubberies, will hide the gap and maintain a nice heavy air flow.
Are you trying to make a motel for animals?
Ferrari posters for sure.
Why do redditors go out their way to be unhelpful
1/4 inch mesh to keep all animals out.
Lattice, that’s what everybody uses.
Boxwoods or lattice
Spray foam
I wouldn’t.
I wouldn’t. You’ll end up providing safe haven for animals you’re trying to keep out. But if you don’t like the way it looks then you could consider skirting. I personally like the look of vertical instead of horizontal but it’s a matter of personal choice. You build a frame and hang the skirting. It’s a fairly simple project, but can be tricky to make it look right. I’d get a pro on it. Avoid lattice. It’s pretty useless. The whole thing seems like a waste of money though. Here’s an idea that would use your decking/fascia as the material…
https://preview.redd.it/pbv5b2p23r9g1.jpeg?width=4000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=6585b8a286c40ce25fd35ce8eba8dccd48d5882a
It’s a more traditional look. I used fence pickets for the skirting in the pic, but you could use your decking boards for it and fascia top and bottom. One mistake a lot of folks make is running the vertical boards all the way to the ground. Then it wicks moisture up the boards causing a little rot o at the bottom of all the boards. Leave them an inch shy and use a sacrificial horizontal board at the ground. Then you can change the bottom one out every ten years or so. So it’s like 3 boards instead of all of them.
Going horizontal with the skirting would provide a more contemporary look.
The third way is to have framed rectangles with something in the middle (a panel…like metal, wood, or “the dreaded” lattice—it’s the only way to use lattice. Has to be framed around all four sides to look decent).
Pro deck builder here. Skirting in the same colour as the floor but using fascia boards.
Leave it, lattice, or shrubs
Solid vertical skirting. It kind of sucks that it's already all built because you could do it before you run the decking up top, but you could still screw it through the back to the band you got to build some boxes for in between so you have something to screw to.
Since you mentioned the area being unusable, how might you have wanted to use it? Just curious. Perhaps add some landscape fabric and rock underneath.
Otherwise I'd leave it. If bushes, account for how they will bush out. Not too close to the deck, imho.
Slats
Yup that was my concern with the deck I put up. The dogs getting under there making a muddy mess. I ended up laying down weed mat and covering it with a couple yards of crushed limestone. It also works because my dogs don't like walking on stone.
I did horizontal deck boards and painted them black. Looks good and keeps my stupid cats from wandering under the deck
Landscaping is the answer.
Skirting or lattice
Like they do on manufactured homes. https://mobilehomeideas.com/block-skirting-for-mobile-homes/
The deck is the one part of this house that does not resemble a mobile home, if you want to lean even more into that look then follow the above advice.