Under deck storage ideas
Under Deck Storage That Stays Dry
The space under a deck is a great place for bikes, cushions, and gear, as long as rain is not dripping on them. With an AmeriDex deck, rain sheds off the top instead of falling through the boards, so the storage below starts with a dry space overhead.
Why most under deck storage gets wet
Standard deck boards are installed with gaps between them. Every time it rains, water drips through those gaps onto whatever is stored below. AmeriDex boards lock onto the Dexerdry seal, so the deck surface sheds the rain instead.
How it fits together
What people store under a dry deck
Gapped deck vs AmeriDex for storage below
| Standard gapped deck | AmeriDex deck | |
|---|---|---|
| Rain from above | Drips through the gaps onto stored items | Sheds off the top and past the drip edge |
| What you add below | Tarps, covers, or a tray to catch water | Nothing required; soffit is a finish choice |
| Framing over your gear | Gets wet every time it rains | Water stays on top of the boards |
| Upkeep overhead | Periodic cleanout of a catch system | Broom, soap and water on the deck surface |
Dry storage 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 shelves and racks around it.
- Keep stored items back from the outer edge, where rain sheds past the drip edge.
- Give the ground a firm, clean surface such as a patio, pavers, or gravel.
- If you close in the sides or add a ceiling, keep it ventilated. 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: 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 I use the space under an AmeriDex deck for storage?
Yes. AmeriDex is made for decks, porches, and balconies with a patio, porch, or storage underneath. The boards lock onto the Dexerdry seal, so rain sheds off the top of the deck instead of dripping through the gaps onto what you keep below.
Do I need an under deck drainage tray to store things under my deck?
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 finish.
Can I enclose the space under my deck as a storage area?
You can close in the sides for outdoor storage, but keep it ventilated. 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, and the system is never installed over interior living space. Check local codes before you enclose anything.
Where should I keep stored items under the deck?
Keep them back from the outer edge. Rain runs off the deck surface and sheds past the drip edge at the outside of the deck, so that strip of ground gets wet. A patio, pavers, or gravel under the deck gives stored items a firm, clean base.
Can I get dry storage 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 and gutters 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.
Want dry storage 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.
Get a free quote Find a dealerRelated reading: Dry usable space under a deck · Screened porch under a deck · What to put under a deck for moisture · Deck rain shield options · How the system works