Landscaping Tips for Underneath Your Deck

Once you have your new or improved deck, you may be contemplating how to beautify or maximize the space beneath. We have seen many of our customers transform this shady, empty space into a functional area. Here are some of the best ideas we’ve seen.

Storage Space

Do you have garden tools, outdoor furniture, or bicycles that need to be protected from the elements? Weatherproof storage bins, shelving units, or pegboards are great additions to the space below your deck for organizing items that need a safe outdoor home. Some customers with taller decks have even invested in custom-built storage sheds to house larger items.

Enclosing an under-deck storage area with skirting or lattice can enhance the aesthetics of your deck and offer additional protection for your belongings.

With any of these options, easy accessibility is important. Be sure to think through the location and openings of any storage solutions before making a purchase.

Plants

Depending on your soil and lighting, shade-tolerant plants can be a beautiful addition to the space surrounding or underneath your deck. Hostas, astilbes, and ferns do well in shaded areas. Creeping Jenny or other attractive ground covers are another excellent option since they can handle shadier areas and will continue to spread into a carpet of warm-weather greenery over time.

For a low-maintenance option, consider rock, gravel, or mulch. Potted plants along the edges would allow you to move things around on the covered area as you discover where the best sunlight is for each plant.

If you like lawn ornaments or statues, a few well-placed favorites would look nice peeking into the yard from among the plants.

Lighting

This is one of our favorites for a low-maintenance, beautiful addition to any deck. LED recessed lights can be added on the deck ceiling for a soft glow to enjoy from the yard on warm summer evenings. For a simpler option, hang string lights along the posts or along the edges of the deck. Solar lights along the outside are also an easy, eco-friendly addition to the outside of the deck. Just be sure to install them in locations that get enough sunlight.

Conclusion

Putting some thought into the aesthetic appeal of the area under your deck not only enhances the usability of the space, but it also adds value to your investment.

Here at Evergreen Decks LLC, we are more than happy to help you implement some of these ideas to enjoy your outdoor living space to the fullest.

If you want a quote for a project, click here for a no-strings-attached estimate or email me at evergreendecksllc@gmail.com.

Choosing the Right Stain for Your Deck or Fence

Your selection of a stain should reflect both your aesthetic vision and protect your deck or fence.

After constructing our backyard fence in 2021, we understood that the next task was to select the proper stain. Our excitement about selecting a color that matched our outdoor vision was matched by our concerns about protecting our investment properly.

Our customers work to strike this same balance, so we’ve created this guide to assist you in selecting the right stain option for your wood type and maintenance objectives while achieving your preferred style.

Wood Types

Selecting the right wood for your project impacts the absorption of stain, which is why it should be your first consideration.

  • Cedar and Redwood: Semi-transparent stains are ideal for showing off the natural grain of these types of wood.
  • Pressure-Treated Lumber: Pressure-treated wood projects typically require a few months to dry out after installation. The time frame varies significantly in the Triangle area depending on the current climate and season. This type of deck can handle any of the stains listed below.

Opacity

The opacity of your stain will affect how much of the natural wood still shows through. The age of your deck or fence, as well as your maintenance goals, should affect your choice. Transparent and semi-transparent stains are absorbed into the wood to prevent water intrusion. Semi-solid and solid stains act like a protective shell on top of the wood. It’s important to note that once you’ve covered your deck or fence with a solid stain, it’s challenging and time-consuming to revert to a transparent or semi-transparent stain.

  • Transparent: You can expect lighter protection with clear coverage. However, the appeal of this option is that it fully highlights the natural grain. Transparent stains have the shortest protection lifespan.
  • Semi-Transparent: This is a popular choice for newly built fences or decks. The fresh, previously unstained surface can show off its wood texture while offering some color and more protection than a fully transparent stain.
  • Semi-Solid: Since a semi-solid stain is a stronger color option, it hides more imperfections and the wood grain. This is a great choice for aging wood.
  • Solid: Now we’ve moved on to full coverage stain. Solid stain is the best option for older decks and fences that have started to break down and/or require sanding and repairs. The grain does not show, but as it ages, your deck will benefit from maximum UV protection and coverage of imperfections. Solid stain fills cracks and crevices that would otherwise allow water to enter and contribute to rot.

Choose a Stain that Complements Your Surroundings

Your choice of stain can and should fit how you want your outdoor living space to look. Consider your current or future goals for your home’s exterior and landscaping. Here are some examples of how different shades may affect the vibe of your yard:

  • Warm tones: (cedar, redwood) – Traditional and cozy
  • Cool tones: (gray, slate) – Sleek and modern
  • Neutral tones: (taupe, driftwood) – Versatile, beachy, timeless

Think Long Term: Durability and Maintenance

The stain you choose should strike a balance between the look you want and the frequency of maintenance. Most of our customers prefer enjoying a stain that shows off the wood grain for the first few years after a new build.

  • Transparent and semi-transparent stains: Recoat approximately every 1-3 years.
  • Semi-solid and solid stains: Last 3-5 years or more.

These time frames will vary depending on sun and rain exposure, as well as leaf accumulation. Remember to sweep your deck regularly.

Final Thoughts

If you’re unsure of the type and shade of stain you’d like for your project, we are well-equipped to help you decide. We have a great working relationship with local businesses, including a custom stain company here in Raleigh for customers who want to match a specific color. We’d be happy to share pictures of the decks we’ve stained and offer suggestions based on your needs and preferences.

If you want a quote for a project, click here for a no-strings-attached estimate or email me at evergreendecksllc@gmail.com