Any of ya'll got some building construction wherewithal?

[cmh6476 1,123]

I have a small deck that came with the house when I bought it new 15 years ago, and I had an architect design plans to replace it with a much larger deck to include a storage area and screened in patio underneath.

My idea for the patio is to hang a ceiling fan, outdoor speakers and maybe some electric heaters so I'll need to run electrical and speaker wire so I need a dry, finished roof under the deck.  I've got plenty of clearance, but I'm trying to determine what material would be best and most cost effective for the roof and gutter under the deck, that I would need to finish below that for the overhead roof that would hang the fan, speakers, etc.

Just to manage the cash flow of it, I may build the deck now and worry about the patio later (which is going to end up being pretty badass if it turns out like my vision of it).  I assume it makes a lot more sense to figure out the under deck roof after I get the posts up before I start laying the decking.  Anybody done anything like this and/ or have any advice to offer?

[Horseman 2,684]

Yep. 

Ripping out a deck right now. Brutal because they used deck screws and they're just rusty enough and the wood is just old enough nothing wants to give. 

Putting in a screened porch in its place.  

I wouldn't put normal decking above. Is the top deck all under foof cover?  

[cmh6476 1,123]

4 minutes ago, Horseman said:

Yep. 

Ripping out a deck right now. Brutal because they used deck screws and they're just rusty enough and the wood is just old enough nothing wants to give. 

Putting in a screened porch in its place.  

I wouldn't put normal decking above. Is the top deck all under foof cover?  

I'm going with composite rather than wood. 

[Horseman 2,684]

Just now, cmh6476 said:

I'm going with composite rather than wood. 

I haven't had a lot of experience with deck over deck, but, what I'm trying to say is crap always falls down from above. I'd consider treating the upper floor like a real floor (not a deck) and the more you can roof the better.  

[cmh6476 1,123]

16 minutes ago, Horseman said:

I haven't had a lot of experience with deck over deck, but, what I'm trying to say is crap always falls down from above. I'd consider treating the upper floor like a real floor (not a deck) and the more you can roof the better.  

It's a deck above a patio from a walkout basement.   I think if I can get a roof built under the deck then I'll be able to create the space I'm looking for below

[Fireballer 2,677]

So the roof function just needs to basically shed water and debris from the patio “room” that will eventually be finished?

[cmh6476 1,123]

23 minutes ago, Fireballer said:

So the roof function just needs to basically shed water and debris from the patio “room” that will eventually be finished?

exactly, and allow me to house and hide electrical wiring and hang fixtures overhead, as well

[cmh6476 1,123]

I emailed these guys for a quote who say they ship worldwide, but I imagine it can't be cheap.  Looks ideal, though.

https://www.dekdrain.com/

[Fireballer 2,677]

1 hour ago, cmh6476 said:

exactly, and allow me to house and hide electrical wiring and hang fixtures overhead, as well

What is overall size of deck?  Will the patio enclosure take up entire space under deck?

What is height between finished floor of future patio and bottom of deck?  
 

So you basically need a drainage system to divert water away from patio enclosure, a void space, and then a finished ceiling in patio enclosure?  What material will patio ceiling be?

[cmh6476 1,123]

56 minutes ago, Fireballer said:

What is overall size of deck?  Will the patio enclosure take up entire space under deck?

What is height between finished floor of future patio and bottom of deck?  
 

So you basically need a drainage system to divert water away from patio enclosure, a void space, and then a finished ceiling in patio enclosure?  What material will patio ceiling be?

Total size of deck is about 35'x14'.  With the patio about 14'x14', and a storage area that needs to be free of water runoff that's another 10' of run. 

I've got about 9' of clearance from patio to decking floor.   

I haven't figured out what i want for patio ceiling but I'll want it to look nice 

[Horseman 2,684]

Just build the upper level as a regular floor with joists and subflooring that makes it water tight. Wala you have the roof. If you don't crap is going to constantly fall through to the roof underneath creating a maintenance nightmare.  

[Horseman 2,684]

If it's already built ask the architect to see if it can handle subflooring and flooring of your choice like tile.  If not what would it take to beef up the joists a little bit.  

[Horseman 2,684]

I've had exactly one house with two levels of deck. Never again. The bottom level becomes unusable without constant cleaning from above.  If you somehow can get a roof in there it would help, but, you'd be constantly cleaning it.  But if that's how you go metal roofing with access to pressure wash it.  

[Alias Detective 1,459]

On 3/1/2025 at 10:00 PM, cmh6476 said:

I have a small deck that came with the house when I bought it new 15 years ago, and I had an architect design plans to replace it with a much larger deck to include a storage area and screened in patio underneath.

My idea for the patio is to hang a ceiling fan, outdoor speakers and maybe some electric heaters so I'll need to run electrical and speaker wire so I need a dry, finished roof under the deck.  I've got plenty of clearance, but I'm trying to determine what material would be best and most cost effective for the roof and gutter under the deck, that I would need to finish below that for the overhead roof that would hang the fan, speakers, etc.

Just to manage the cash flow of it, I may build the deck now and worry about the patio later (which is going to end up being pretty badass if it turns out like my vision of it).  I assume it makes a lot more sense to figure out the under deck roof after I get the posts up before I start laying the decking.  Anybody done anything like this and/ or have any advice to offer?

Have a similar situation.  I just really don't like the idea of a roof literally right under a deck. 

[cmh6476 1,123]

18 hours ago, Alias Detective said:

Have a similar situation.  I just really don't like the idea of a roof literally right under a deck. 

and @Horseman and @Fireballer

I've been super impressed with my response from these guys: https://www.dekdrain.com/

I sent this message:

Quote

 

How long is the estimate good for?  Is there risk of a price increase related to tariff issues?

I should be able to move fairly quickly on a decision; I’m meeting with the concrete rep tomorrow and he thought he could probably get work scheduled in a couple weeks, but we know that might change with weather.  Prior to that I’ll need to coordinate friends and family help for demo and haul away of a small, existing deck.  I’d like to make sure that is all worked out before we try and schedule delivery of this system as well as the deck material, because the only place for me to really house product is in my garage or driveway on the opposite side of the house.

Thanks!

 

And here's the response I got:

Quote

We haven’t changed our pricing in 5 years. We can make sure the quote is good until you may be ready to order 

I'm building a large deck (35'x14'), with the roof system running nearly all but 8' of the length and the total estimate for the entire system was just under $2,500 insured and delivered with a 3-5 day delivery time 

[Fireballer 2,677]

2 minutes ago, cmh6476 said:

and @Horseman and @Fireballer

I've been super impressed with my response from these guys: https://www.dekdrain.com/

I sent this message:

And here's the response I got:

I'm building a large deck (35'x14'), with the roof system running nearly all but 8' of the length and the total estimate for the entire system was just under $2,500 insured and delivered with a 3-5 day delivery time 

Oh damn.  That looks like an impressive system.  Hope it works out

[Horseman 2,684]

Is the top deck already built?

Rubber liner like that can certainly waterproof, I just question how it's maintained. It would work great with just water. Problem is you get dirt, pine needles, leaves.  I'm guessing it's designed only to last about as long as the deck so you'd have both replacement costs every 15 years or so.  

[cmh6476 1,123]

Just now, Horseman said:

Is the top deck already built?

Rubber liner like that can certainly waterproof, I just question how it's maintained. It would work great with just water. Problem is you get dirt, pine needles, leaves.  I'm guessing it's designed only to last about as long as the deck so you'd have both replacement costs every 15 years or so.  

The deck is being replaced, so it'll be a new build.  

It will just be water and snow melt, as we don't have any trees that blow debris onto the current deck.  I was kind of thinking the same thing, but in 15 years I'll be 62.  Hopefully it gives me a little more life than that (assuming I'm there to see it) and it'll eventually be someone else's problem

[weepaws 3,332]

Vandals spray painted lewd images , anti Christ message on church ahead Easter.   

Expected, muslims,Buddhist,Hindu, atheist,Mormon,catholic, so groups just can’t help one self.  

The name of Jesus just drives them into a frenzy of violence.  

John 16:33.  These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. 

In the world you will have tribulation, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.  Indeed Amen Thanks 

 

[cmh6476 1,123]

15 hours ago, weepaws said:

Vandals spray painted lewd images , anti Christ message on church ahead Easter.   

Expected, muslims,Buddhist,Hindu, atheist,Mormon,catholic, so groups just can’t help one self.  

The name of Jesus just drives them into a frenzy of violence.  

John 16:33.  These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. 

In the world you will have tribulation, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.  Indeed Amen Thanks 

 

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