4 Effective Ways to Cover Dirt Under Your Deck

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What You Can Do to Cover the Dirt Underneath Your Deck

Decks provide homeowners with a place to relax, lounge, or even work in a peaceful setting. They’re commonly added to new and old homes, and can even be found in condominiums.

Do you have a deck in your home? If so, you might have pondered about the things that you could do with that extra space underneath it. The ground below can sometimes be or become an eyesore, overfilled with dirty weeds, or items accidentally dropped from above that are difficult to reach. What can be done about this?

The good thing is that there are numerous ways that you can tidy up this portion of your deck’s space. If you want to impress other residents in your cul-de-sac, consider some of the following ideas to get the underside of your deck looking good again.
Royal Deck Skirtng

Covering Dirt Under Your Deck – Useful Ideas

Plant Vegetation – This works best if your deck is situated in a position that allows sunlight to reach the underside for at least a couple of hours in the day. Adding plants is a great way to boost the look of this area. Just be careful what plants you do end up choosing. One common idea is the use of plants that can grow on the outer portion of the deck’s bottom. But in some cases, adding a couple of bushes might do the trick. You’ll have to perform upkeep to keep the plants from dying, so be sure to periodically water them.
Add Gravel or Mulch – Placing gravel under the deck is probably the easiest solution. Mulch is a direct alternative and prevents the unwanted growth of weeds. Depending on the weather, the gravel could last for a very long time without you needing to replace it, as will mulch. Plus, both are equally easy to purchase online and in physical store locations.
Use Skirting – Have you ever seen a home that you know was built without a solid foundation? Skirting is sometimes used in houses like this, though you could easily have it installed around your deck. It’s great for keeping weeds, insects, and other small animals from making a home under your deck. Get an install completed or try it yourself if you’re the DIY type.
Create a Space for Your Storage – Extra storage is never a bad thing. You may find that the underside of the deck offers the most convenient storage for all of your lawn equipment and other tools. Even better would be to have the ground filled with concrete to keep what’s being stored there from creating mud later down the line. If your deck is tall and wide enough, a small tool shed could suffice, so long as it doesn’t get in the way of what’s above it, of course.

Summary – Be Creative

Ready to Transform Your Deck Area?

As shown, there are plenty of ways to keep your deck’s underside from looking unkempt. Try out the ideas shown above, create your own, or incorporate them into one. The options for a prettier deck are unlimited. If you are ready to build a new deck or upgrade your existing one, Royal Deck serves homeowners across Illinois and Georgia and would be happy to help you get started.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I put landscape fabric under my deck before adding gravel or mulch?

Yes, and it makes a bigger difference than you might think. Laying landscape fabric directly on the ground before adding gravel or mulch creates an extra barrier that keeps weeds from pushing through while still letting water drain naturally. It takes very little time to put down, and it saves you from dealing with weeds working their way back up through your ground cover later on.

How do I keep moisture from building up under my deck?

Good drainage is the key. If water tends to pool under your deck after rain, gravel is your best option since it naturally lets water pass through instead of sitting on the soil. For taller decks, you can also look into simple drainage solutions that direct water away from the area, which opens up the space below for storage or other uses.

Does the height of my deck affect which ground cover option works best?

It does, and it is worth thinking about before you get started. For lower decks with limited clearance, gravel or landscape fabric are the easiest choices since they sit flat and require no maintenance once they are down. If your deck sits higher off the ground, you have a lot more flexibility, including plants, a proper storage setup, or even a combination of a few ideas from the list above.

Can the dirt under my deck cause erosion or damage over time?

It can, and this is one reason why covering it up is about more than just looks. Rain that drips through the boards above can gradually wash away the soil around your deck's footings and supports. Covering the area with gravel or landscape fabric helps keep the ground in place and protects the overall structure of your deck for years to come.