Under deck kitchen ideas
Outdoor Kitchen Under a Deck: How to Keep It Dry
The patio under a second-story deck is a natural spot for an outdoor kitchen and dining area, as long as rain is not dripping onto the counters. With an AmeriDex deck, rain sheds off the top instead of falling through the boards, so the kitchen below starts with a dry space overhead.
Why most under deck kitchens get wet
Standard deck boards are installed with gaps between them. Every time it rains, water drips through those gaps onto the counters, cabinets, and table below. AmeriDex boards lock onto the Dexerdry seal, so the deck surface sheds the rain instead.
How it fits together
Plan the kitchen zones
Gapped deck vs AmeriDex over a kitchen
| Standard gapped deck | AmeriDex deck | |
|---|---|---|
| Rain from above | Drips through the gaps onto counters and the table | Sheds off the top and past the drip edge |
| What you add below | Covers, or a tray hung under the joists | Nothing required; soffit is a finish choice |
| Ceiling over the kitchen | Exposed to dripping water and debris | Open joists or a vented vinyl or PVC soffit |
| Upkeep overhead | Periodic cleanout of a catch system | Broom, soap and water on the deck surface |
Outdoor kitchen planning checklist
- Slope the deck at least 1/8 inch per foot away from the house (see how much slope a deck needs).
- If boards run away from the house, the framing leaves room for a gutter at the house. Plan the counter layout around it.
- Keep counters, cabinets, and seating back from the outer edge, where rain sheds past the drip edge.
- Follow the grill or appliance maker's clearance instructions and your local fire code before cooking under any deck.
- If you add a ceiling, use a vented vinyl or PVC soffit with at least 1 1/2 inches of continuous ventilated screen at the fascia. Wood ceilings are not recommended.
- Keep it an outdoor space. Never install the system over interior living space.
- On an existing deck, a re-deck works if the framing meets the pitch and overhang requirements (see options for an existing deck).
More ideas for the space: a patio under a deck, under deck living space ideas, a screened porch under a deck, and under deck ceiling options. Building it? See contractor resources and install help.
Frequently asked questions
Can you put an outdoor kitchen under a deck?
Yes, when the deck above keeps the rain off. AmeriDex is made for decks, porches, and balconies with a patio, porch, or living space underneath. The boards lock onto the Dexerdry seal, so rain sheds off the top of the deck instead of dripping through the gaps onto counters, cabinets, and the table below.
Can I use a grill under my deck?
Only if the grill maker allows it and your local fire code does too. Follow the manufacturer's clearance instructions for overhead and side clearance, and check with your local building or fire official before you place any grill, smoker, or cooktop under a deck. If you are not sure, keep cooking out from under the deck and use the covered area for prep and dining.
Do I need an under deck drainage tray for an outdoor kitchen below?
Not with AmeriDex. The deck surface itself sheds the rain, so nothing has to hang under the joists to catch water. You can leave the joists open or add a vented vinyl or PVC soffit as a finished ceiling.
What kind of ceiling should go over an under deck kitchen?
If you add a ceiling, use a vented vinyl or PVC soffit with at least 1 1/2 inches of continuous ventilated screen at the fascia. Wood ceilings are not recommended. A finished ceiling is also a clean place to run lights or a fan, installed by a licensed electrician with fixtures rated for outdoor use.
Can I add an outdoor kitchen under my existing deck?
Often, as a re-deck, if the existing framing meets the pitch and overhang requirements. The old boards come off and AmeriDex boards with the Dexerdry seal go on. A new deck lets you plan the slope, gutters, and kitchen layout together from the start.
Does the deck need to be sloped?
Yes. Slope the deck at least 1/8 inch per foot away from the house so rain runs to the outer edge. If the boards run away from the house, the framing leaves room for a gutter at the house.
Planning a kitchen under your new deck?
Send us your deck size and how you want to use the space below, and we will send a written quote. Free color samples ship to your door.
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