How to enclose space under deck?

[joelharrisonau]

Hi legends, 

We’re looking to enclose the space under our verandah/deck (photos attached). 

We’d like to include a gate for access under the house etc.

I was thinking of building a timber sub-frame between the existing posts/rails and fixing the boards to that, but I’m not sure on the best approach. Plus the deck is also on a slope 🤔 re gate/keeping it look neat. 

Has anyone here tackled a similar project or have tips/photos for inspiration?

Any advice on framing, fixing methods, or gate options would be much appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

[JacobZ]

Hi @joelharrisonau,

When you say you want to close in the space beneath the deck, are you hoping to have something fairly weatherproof and enclosed, using something like fibre cement sheeting? Or would some screening with air gaps be sufficient?

I think a basic enclosure with horizontal battens would be a good, easy to achieve project.

Regardless of the approach you take, any timber would need to be treated for outdoor use. H3 timber can be used above ground, but if anything is in direct contact with the ground, it needs to be H4.

At a minimum, you would need to attach a timber to the brick wall on each side of the verandah and one at the corner.

The timbers could be attached to the brick using Screw Bolts, whereas the corner post would need to be attached to the ground in some way.

Typically, you would either concrete in a post or create a concrete footing to attach a post anchor to. You might get away with bolting a post anchor to the pavers, but it wouldn't be the best approach.

With these three timbers in place, you could then run battens such as 42x42mm H3 or 42 x 42mm Merbau Screening or horizontal decking boards such as 90 x 19mm Merbau Decking between the posts and timbers.

With the new post in the corner, the gap between it and the posts on either side of the corner looks like the best place to put a gate, as a gate opening would need a vertical timber on each side of the opening. You could build a simple gate to fit the opening using a gate frame with the same timber you used to cover the area.

To attach your slats, you should use galvanised fixings. If you used decking boards, I'd suggest these 50mm Galvanised Timber Screws, if you used battens due to their thickness, you would need something longer like these 75mm Galvanised Timber Screws.

Let me know what you think.

Jacob

[joelharrisonau]

Cheers JacobZ. Appreciate your help and advice.

We were thinking screening with air gaps out of ekodeck to match a nearby project.

Horizontal pieces appealed but I was worried about making it look neat as the bottom slopes away and the top doesn’t.

Thanks again. 

Joel 

[JacobZ]

Hi @joelharrisonau,

You could always go with vertical pieces. If they are each cut to length individually, you can conceal that slight gradient fairly easily.

You could follow much the same approach as I described earlier, adding the post and timbers to the brick, then running two horizontal framing members between. You can then attach your Ekodeck vertically to these framing members.

Let me know what you think, and if you'd like some guidance, please don't hesitate to ask.

Jacob