On Tuesday, April 27, 2021 at 9:18:14 PM UTC-4, wrote:
On Tue, 27 Apr 2021 13:11:44 -0700 (PDT), DerbyDad03
wrote:

On Monday, April 26, 2021 at 10:19:31 PM UTC-4, Markem618 wrote:
On Mon, 26 Apr 2021 21:05:25 -0400, wrote:

On Mon, 26 Apr 2021 06:28:34 -0700 (PDT), DerbyDad03
wrote:

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Tuftex-SeaC...-Panel/3010589

I read/heard about critters, bees, etc. but I decided to go for it anyway.
For a number of years I had it partially roofed (ceilinged, I guess) with
semi-transparent corrugated fiberglass panels and when I took them
down there was no indication of unwanted guests. I get nests behind
my shutters and in a few other places, so I know I have wasps, but the
under-deck panels haven't ever been a problem.

I need 12' to simplify things but that doesn't look like a problem. I
was thinking about steel or fiberglass but PVC may be lighter. This
looks like a possibility too. Clear would allow me to see the
critters under there. We have squirrels making a nest in our gas
grill (hasn't been used in years) now. I wouldn't want them under
there.

Pvc can be heavy, could try Polycarbonate Twinwall if you want some
what clear.
https://www.lowes.com/pd/Tuftex-Poly...-Panel/3043807

PVC *can* be heavy, but these panels aren't. The 2.2' x 8' panels I used were
something like 4 lbs each.

The only reason I needed SWMBO's help mounting them was because they
are so flexible, especially while trying to hold them up to underside of the
joists.

Weight was definitely not an issue.
They weren't too floppy to keep the pitch?

The pitch is created with strapping across the joists, like
hanging drywall on a ceiling. Difference is, the strapping
thinner near the house (none right at the wall) and thicker
as it approaches the gutter. If you want it perfectly flat
along the pitch, use more strapping.

Mine isnt perfect, probably could use one more strap, but
theres enough pitch that it never backs up or leaks. It's
a storage area, not a formal dining room.

I've got a piece under the stairs up to the deck also. Great
place to keep the 2 wheeled garden cart.

On Tue, 27 Apr 2021 20:16:51 -0700 (PDT), DerbyDad03
wrote:

On Tuesday, April 27, 2021 at 9:18:14 PM UTC-4, wrote:
On Tue, 27 Apr 2021 13:11:44 -0700 (PDT), DerbyDad03
wrote:

On Monday, April 26, 2021 at 10:19:31 PM UTC-4, Markem618 wrote:
On Mon, 26 Apr 2021 21:05:25 -0400, wrote:

On Mon, 26 Apr 2021 06:28:34 -0700 (PDT), DerbyDad03
wrote:

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Tuftex-SeaC...-Panel/3010589

I read/heard about critters, bees, etc. but I decided to go for it anyway.
For a number of years I had it partially roofed (ceilinged, I guess) with
semi-transparent corrugated fiberglass panels and when I took them
down there was no indication of unwanted guests. I get nests behind
my shutters and in a few other places, so I know I have wasps, but the
under-deck panels haven't ever been a problem.

I need 12' to simplify things but that doesn't look like a problem. I
was thinking about steel or fiberglass but PVC may be lighter. This
looks like a possibility too. Clear would allow me to see the
critters under there. We have squirrels making a nest in our gas
grill (hasn't been used in years) now. I wouldn't want them under
there.

Pvc can be heavy, could try Polycarbonate Twinwall if you want some
what clear.
https://www.lowes.com/pd/Tuftex-Poly...-Panel/3043807

PVC *can* be heavy, but these panels aren't. The 2.2' x 8' panels I used were
something like 4 lbs each.

The only reason I needed SWMBO's help mounting them was because they
are so flexible, especially while trying to hold them up to underside of the
joists.

Weight was definitely not an issue.
They weren't too floppy to keep the pitch?

The pitch is created with strapping across the joists, like
hanging drywall on a ceiling. Difference is, the strapping
thinner near the house (none right at the wall) and thicker
as it approaches the gutter. If you want it perfectly flat
along the pitch, use more strapping.

Right, but the stuff is designed to lay on top of purlins and is just
screwed down to keep from blowing to OZ. In this case the screws hold
the weight. Where gravity is your friend on one case, holding the
panels straight against the purlins, it's the enemy in the other as it
pulls it away from the joists.

Mine isn’t perfect, probably could use one more strap, but
there’s enough pitch that it never backs up or leaks. It's
a storage area, not a formal dining room.

When you say "strap", do you mean a board under the panel, across the
whole distance? This strap holds the weight?

I've got a piece under the stairs up to the deck also. Great
place to keep the 2 wheeled garden cart.

No stairs. No ground access from the deck. :-(

On Wednesday, April 28, 2021 at 12:42:17 PM UTC-4, wrote:
On Tue, 27 Apr 2021 20:16:51 -0700 (PDT), DerbyDad03
wrote:

On Tuesday, April 27, 2021 at 9:18:14 PM UTC-4, wrote:
On Tue, 27 Apr 2021 13:11:44 -0700 (PDT), DerbyDad03
wrote:

On Monday, April 26, 2021 at 10:19:31 PM UTC-4, Markem618 wrote:
On Mon, 26 Apr 2021 21:05:25 -0400, wrote:

On Mon, 26 Apr 2021 06:28:34 -0700 (PDT), DerbyDad03
wrote:

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Tuftex-SeaC...-Panel/3010589

I read/heard about critters, bees, etc. but I decided to go for it anyway.
For a number of years I had it partially roofed (ceilinged, I guess) with
semi-transparent corrugated fiberglass panels and when I took them
down there was no indication of unwanted guests. I get nests behind
my shutters and in a few other places, so I know I have wasps, but the
under-deck panels haven't ever been a problem.

I need 12' to simplify things but that doesn't look like a problem.. I
was thinking about steel or fiberglass but PVC may be lighter. This
looks like a possibility too. Clear would allow me to see the
critters under there. We have squirrels making a nest in our gas
grill (hasn't been used in years) now. I wouldn't want them under
there.

Pvc can be heavy, could try Polycarbonate Twinwall if you want some
what clear.
https://www.lowes.com/pd/Tuftex-Poly...-Panel/3043807

PVC *can* be heavy, but these panels aren't. The 2.2' x 8' panels I used were
something like 4 lbs each.

The only reason I needed SWMBO's help mounting them was because they
are so flexible, especially while trying to hold them up to underside of the
joists.

Weight was definitely not an issue.
They weren't too floppy to keep the pitch?

The pitch is created with strapping across the joists, like
hanging drywall on a ceiling. Difference is, the strapping
thinner near the house (none right at the wall) and thicker
as it approaches the gutter. If you want it perfectly flat
along the pitch, use more strapping.

Right, but the stuff is designed to lay on top of purlins and is just
screwed down to keep from blowing to OZ. In this case the screws hold
the weight. Where gravity is your friend on one case, holding the
panels straight against the purlins, it's the enemy in the other as it
pulls it away from the joists.

If I didn't know better, I think that you are trying to tell me that what has
worked under my deck for years couldn't possibly be working. ;-)

Mine isnt perfect, probably could use one more strap, but
theres enough pitch that it never backs up or leaks. It's
a storage area, not a formal dining room.

When you say "strap", do you mean a board under the panel, across the
whole distance?

Stolen without permission from:

https://www.oneprojectcloser.com/str...allation-prep/

"What is Ceiling Strapping?
Strapping a ceiling is the process of installing wood perpendicular to the joists.
The strapping serves as the nailing surface for the drywall."

....or for Tuftex panels.

This strap holds the weight?

In my case, 2 straps hold most of it. BTW, each 8' panel only weighs 4.3 lbs.

At the house, the ends of the panels are screwed to the underside of the deck's
ledger board. Then a few feet out there is a single piece of 1.5" PT wood running
perpendicular to the joists (a strap). Then a few feet further out there is a double
strap (3"). Then, finally, the end of the panels rest on the gutter. That is what
establishes the pitch. The panels are screws to the straps with Tuftex Deck Drain
screws. (the ones with the rubber washers)

https://i.imgur.com/akwDEbx.jpg

Like I said earlier, it's not perfectly flat, but you can really only tell when looking at it
from the side like in that picture. Again, it's not a formal dining room.

Here's is why I don't think you want to use clear panels. This is the top of the end that
rests on the gutter. Sure, if I had pitched it more maybe there wouldn't be as much debris,
but it has never been a problem. Nothing has ever backed up and caused a leak. The
debris does not show through the white panels, but it sure would show through clear
ones.

https://i.imgur.com/Kjhs2Nt.jpg

I've got a piece under the stairs up to the deck also. Great
place to keep the 2 wheeled garden cart.

No stairs. No ground access from the deck. :-(

The stairs were the egg that came before the chicken, so to speak. IOW, they were
the reason for the deck.

When we first toured the house before purchasing it, I walked into the addition at the
back of the house, up to the side-by-side double hung windows and looked down into
back yard. After spending a few more minutes in the house, I realized that the only ways
to get to the backyard was to either go out the front door and walk around the house,
down the dirt slope, into the yard, or walk down the basement stairs, again all the way
to the front of the house and then make a U turn, go across the basement and out the
back door.

We moved in in mid-July. By mid-August, the windows had been replaced by a sliding
door and the deck and stairs to the yard were complete. It was my first major project
and it's still standing strong 35 years later.

The following spring I built a small deck and set of stairs one side of the house to ease
the slope to the backyard and put a block walkway down the other side.

What I found amazing was that the family that owned the house before me lived here
for 30 years and raised 4 kids - with no easy access to the backyard. It took me less
than 15 minutes to realize what a huge improvement a deck and set of stairs would be.

On Wed, 28 Apr 2021 19:42:44 -0700 (PDT), DerbyDad03
wrote:

On Wednesday, April 28, 2021 at 12:42:17 PM UTC-4, wrote:
On Tue, 27 Apr 2021 20:16:51 -0700 (PDT), DerbyDad03
wrote:

On Tuesday, April 27, 2021 at 9:18:14 PM UTC-4, wrote:
On Tue, 27 Apr 2021 13:11:44 -0700 (PDT), DerbyDad03
wrote:

On Monday, April 26, 2021 at 10:19:31 PM UTC-4, Markem618 wrote:
On Mon, 26 Apr 2021 21:05:25 -0400, wrote:

On Mon, 26 Apr 2021 06:28:34 -0700 (PDT), DerbyDad03
wrote:

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Tuftex-SeaC...-Panel/3010589

I read/heard about critters, bees, etc. but I decided to go for it anyway.
For a number of years I had it partially roofed (ceilinged, I guess) with
semi-transparent corrugated fiberglass panels and when I took them
down there was no indication of unwanted guests. I get nests behind
my shutters and in a few other places, so I know I have wasps, but the
under-deck panels haven't ever been a problem.

I need 12' to simplify things but that doesn't look like a problem. I
was thinking about steel or fiberglass but PVC may be lighter. This
looks like a possibility too. Clear would allow me to see the
critters under there. We have squirrels making a nest in our gas
grill (hasn't been used in years) now. I wouldn't want them under
there.

Pvc can be heavy, could try Polycarbonate Twinwall if you want some
what clear.
https://www.lowes.com/pd/Tuftex-Poly...-Panel/3043807

PVC *can* be heavy, but these panels aren't. The 2.2' x 8' panels I used were
something like 4 lbs each.

The only reason I needed SWMBO's help mounting them was because they
are so flexible, especially while trying to hold them up to underside of the
joists.

Weight was definitely not an issue.
They weren't too floppy to keep the pitch?

The pitch is created with strapping across the joists, like
hanging drywall on a ceiling. Difference is, the strapping
thinner near the house (none right at the wall) and thicker
as it approaches the gutter. If you want it perfectly flat
along the pitch, use more strapping.

Right, but the stuff is designed to lay on top of purlins and is just
screwed down to keep from blowing to OZ. In this case the screws hold
the weight. Where gravity is your friend on one case, holding the
panels straight against the purlins, it's the enemy in the other as it
pulls it away from the joists.

If I didn't know better, I think that you are trying to tell me that what has
worked under my deck for years couldn't possibly be working. ;-)

Not at all. I'm trying to understand so I can copy it. I'm not sure
I'm getting it. We haven't quite gotten to a thousand words. ;-)

Mine isn’t perfect, probably could use one more strap, but
there’s enough pitch that it never backs up or leaks. It's
a storage area, not a formal dining room.

When you say "strap", do you mean a board under the panel, across the
whole distance?

Stolen without permission from:

https://www.oneprojectcloser.com/str...allation-prep/

"What is Ceiling Strapping?
Strapping a ceiling is the process of installing wood perpendicular to the joists.
The strapping serves as the nailing surface for the drywall."

OK, that's the thousand words I was looking for. It makes even more
sense because the drainage will be parallel to the joists;
perpendicular to the scrapping. Varying the thickness of the
strapping will give me the pitch. I'm not going to be able to give it
much pitch but as long as it doesn't go the wrong way, I should be
good

...or for Tuftex panels.

This strap holds the weight?

In my case, 2 straps hold most of it. BTW, each 8' panel only weighs 4.3 lbs.

At the house, the ends of the panels are screwed to the underside of the deck's
ledger board. Then a few feet out there is a single piece of 1.5" PT wood running
perpendicular to the joists (a strap). Then a few feet further out there is a double
strap (3"). Then, finally, the end of the panels rest on the gutter. That is what
establishes the pitch. The panels are screws to the straps with Tuftex Deck Drain
screws. (the ones with the rubber washers)

https://i.imgur.com/akwDEbx.jpg

That's *exactly* what I want.

Like I said earlier, it's not perfectly flat, but you can really only tell when looking at it
from the side like in that picture. Again, it's not a formal dining room.

Here's is why I don't think you want to use clear panels. This is the top of the end that
rests on the gutter. Sure, if I had pitched it more maybe there wouldn't be as much debris,
but it has never been a problem. Nothing has ever backed up and caused a leak. The
debris does not show through the white panels, but it sure would show through clear
ones.

https://i.imgur.com/Kjhs2Nt.jpg

Ah, point taken. Clear probably isn't the best idea. I hadn't
considered the grunge from the deck. It'll be Trex, but still.

I've got a piece under the stairs up to the deck also. Great
place to keep the 2 wheeled garden cart.

No stairs. No ground access from the deck. :-(

The stairs were the egg that came before the chicken, so to speak. IOW, they were
the reason for the deck.

When we first toured the house before purchasing it, I walked into the addition at the
back of the house, up to the side-by-side double hung windows and looked down into
back yard. After spending a few more minutes in the house, I realized that the only ways
to get to the backyard was to either go out the front door and walk around the house,
down the dirt slope, into the yard, or walk down the basement stairs, again all the way
to the front of the house and then make a U turn, go across the basement and out the
back door.

The deck is original but no access to the back yard, rather like
yours. The stairs have two lefts, then a zig-zag through the basement
to double doors, under one side of the deck.

We moved in in mid-July. By mid-August, the windows had been replaced by a sliding
door and the deck and stairs to the yard were complete. It was my first major project
and it's still standing strong 35 years later.

The following spring I built a small deck and set of stairs one side of the house to ease
the slope to the backyard and put a block walkway down the other side.

What I found amazing was that the family that owned the house before me lived here
for 30 years and raised 4 kids - with no easy access to the backyard. It took me less
than 15 minutes to realize what a huge improvement a deck and set of stairs would be.

I'd really like to at least triple the size of the deck but SWMBO
hasn't decided whether we're staying put. We live a little further
from civilization than she'd like (10-15mi) and would like to move
closer to her friends. My only requirement is an unfinished basement
but the pickings are slim. I'm not willing to borrow money, limiting
things more. Once she decides that we're staying, there are a lot of
things I want to do. It's on her.

On Thursday, April 29, 2021 at 2:06:04 PM UTC-4, wrote:
On Wed, 28 Apr 2021 19:42:44 -0700 (PDT), DerbyDad03
wrote:

On Wednesday, April 28, 2021 at 12:42:17 PM UTC-4, wrote:
On Tue, 27 Apr 2021 20:16:51 -0700 (PDT), DerbyDad03
wrote:

On Tuesday, April 27, 2021 at 9:18:14 PM UTC-4, wrote:
On Tue, 27 Apr 2021 13:11:44 -0700 (PDT), DerbyDad03
wrote:

On Monday, April 26, 2021 at 10:19:31 PM UTC-4, Markem618 wrote:
On Mon, 26 Apr 2021 21:05:25 -0400, wrote:

On Mon, 26 Apr 2021 06:28:34 -0700 (PDT), DerbyDad03
wrote:

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Tuftex-SeaC...-Panel/3010589

I read/heard about critters, bees, etc. but I decided to go for it anyway.
For a number of years I had it partially roofed (ceilinged, I guess) with
semi-transparent corrugated fiberglass panels and when I took them
down there was no indication of unwanted guests. I get nests behind
my shutters and in a few other places, so I know I have wasps, but the
under-deck panels haven't ever been a problem.

I need 12' to simplify things but that doesn't look like a problem. I
was thinking about steel or fiberglass but PVC may be lighter. This
looks like a possibility too. Clear would allow me to see the
critters under there. We have squirrels making a nest in our gas
grill (hasn't been used in years) now. I wouldn't want them under
there.

Pvc can be heavy, could try Polycarbonate Twinwall if you want some
what clear.
https://www.lowes.com/pd/Tuftex-Poly...-Panel/3043807

PVC *can* be heavy, but these panels aren't. The 2.2' x 8' panels I used were
something like 4 lbs each.

The only reason I needed SWMBO's help mounting them was because they
are so flexible, especially while trying to hold them up to underside of the
joists.

Weight was definitely not an issue.
They weren't too floppy to keep the pitch?

The pitch is created with strapping across the joists, like
hanging drywall on a ceiling. Difference is, the strapping
thinner near the house (none right at the wall) and thicker
as it approaches the gutter. If you want it perfectly flat
along the pitch, use more strapping.

Right, but the stuff is designed to lay on top of purlins and is just
screwed down to keep from blowing to OZ. In this case the screws hold
the weight. Where gravity is your friend on one case, holding the
panels straight against the purlins, it's the enemy in the other as it
pulls it away from the joists.

If I didn't know better, I think that you are trying to tell me that what has
worked under my deck for years couldn't possibly be working. ;-)
Not at all. I'm trying to understand so I can copy it. I'm not sure
I'm getting it. We haven't quite gotten to a thousand words. ;-)
Mine isnt perfect, probably could use one more strap, but
theres enough pitch that it never backs up or leaks. It's
a storage area, not a formal dining room.

When you say "strap", do you mean a board under the panel, across the
whole distance?

Stolen without permission from:

https://www.oneprojectcloser.com/str...allation-prep/

"What is Ceiling Strapping?
Strapping a ceiling is the process of installing wood perpendicular to the joists.
The strapping serves as the nailing surface for the drywall."
OK, that's the thousand words I was looking for. It makes even more
sense because the drainage will be parallel to the joists;
perpendicular to the scrapping. Varying the thickness of the
strapping will give me the pitch. I'm not going to be able to give it
much pitch but as long as it doesn't go the wrong way, I should be
good
...or for Tuftex panels.

This strap holds the weight?

In my case, 2 straps hold most of it. BTW, each 8' panel only weighs 4.3 lbs.

At the house, the ends of the panels are screwed to the underside of the deck's
ledger board. Then a few feet out there is a single piece of 1.5" PT wood running
perpendicular to the joists (a strap). Then a few feet further out there is a double
strap (3"). Then, finally, the end of the panels rest on the gutter. That is what
establishes the pitch. The panels are screws to the straps with Tuftex Deck Drain
screws. (the ones with the rubber washers)

https://i.imgur.com/akwDEbx.jpg
That's *exactly* what I want.

Glad I could help. Even went out in the pitch black to take those pictures.

I was scared. You owe me.


Like I said earlier, it's not perfectly flat, but you can really only tell when looking at it
from the side like in that picture. Again, it's not a formal dining room..

Here's is why I don't think you want to use clear panels. This is the top of the end that
rests on the gutter. Sure, if I had pitched it more maybe there wouldn't be as much debris,
but it has never been a problem. Nothing has ever backed up and caused a leak. The
debris does not show through the white panels, but it sure would show through clear
ones.

https://i.imgur.com/Kjhs2Nt.jpg
Ah, point taken. Clear probably isn't the best idea. I hadn't
considered the grunge from the deck. It'll be Trex, but still.

I have to deal with a gorgeous red maple that extends over the deck, so my grunge
is pretty serious but I wouldn't trade it for anything.


I've got a piece under the stairs up to the deck also. Great
place to keep the 2 wheeled garden cart.

No stairs. No ground access from the deck. :-(

The stairs were the egg that came before the chicken, so to speak. IOW, they were
the reason for the deck.

When we first toured the house before purchasing it, I walked into the addition at the
back of the house, up to the side-by-side double hung windows and looked down into
back yard. After spending a few more minutes in the house, I realized that the only ways
to get to the backyard was to either go out the front door and walk around the house,
down the dirt slope, into the yard, or walk down the basement stairs, again all the way
to the front of the house and then make a U turn, go across the basement and out the
back door.
The deck is original but no access to the back yard, rather like
yours. The stairs have two lefts, then a zig-zag through the basement
to double doors, under one side of the deck.
We moved in in mid-July. By mid-August, the windows had been replaced by a sliding
door and the deck and stairs to the yard were complete. It was my first major project
and it's still standing strong 35 years later.

The following spring I built a small deck and set of stairs one side of the house to ease
the slope to the backyard and put a block walkway down the other side.

What I found amazing was that the family that owned the house before me lived here
for 30 years and raised 4 kids - with no easy access to the backyard. It took me less
than 15 minutes to realize what a huge improvement a deck and set of stairs would be.
I'd really like to at least triple the size of the deck but SWMBO
hasn't decided whether we're staying put. We live a little further
from civilization than she'd like (10-15mi) and would like to move
closer to her friends. My only requirement is an unfinished basement
but the pickings are slim. I'm not willing to borrow money, limiting
things more. Once she decides that we're staying, there are a lot of
things I want to do. It's on her.

Just slap one of these on the side of the deck for the time being. It wouldn't
take up much room and wouldn't really impact an expansion later on. Leave it
where it is or move it, adjusting for any grade difference.

https://i.etsystatic.com/6767490/r/i...66094_njeg.jpg

On Thu, 29 Apr 2021 11:29:52 -0700 (PDT), DerbyDad03
wrote:

On Thursday, April 29, 2021 at 2:06:04 PM UTC-4, wrote:
On Wed, 28 Apr 2021 19:42:44 -0700 (PDT), DerbyDad03
wrote:

On Wednesday, April 28, 2021 at 12:42:17 PM UTC-4, wrote:
On Tue, 27 Apr 2021 20:16:51 -0700 (PDT), DerbyDad03
wrote:

On Tuesday, April 27, 2021 at 9:18:14 PM UTC-4, wrote:
On Tue, 27 Apr 2021 13:11:44 -0700 (PDT), DerbyDad03
wrote:

On Monday, April 26, 2021 at 10:19:31 PM UTC-4, Markem618 wrote:
On Mon, 26 Apr 2021 21:05:25 -0400, wrote:

On Mon, 26 Apr 2021 06:28:34 -0700 (PDT), DerbyDad03
wrote:

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Tuftex-SeaC...-Panel/3010589

I read/heard about critters, bees, etc. but I decided to go for it anyway.
For a number of years I had it partially roofed (ceilinged, I guess) with
semi-transparent corrugated fiberglass panels and when I took them
down there was no indication of unwanted guests. I get nests behind
my shutters and in a few other places, so I know I have wasps, but the
under-deck panels haven't ever been a problem.

I need 12' to simplify things but that doesn't look like a problem. I
was thinking about steel or fiberglass but PVC may be lighter. This
looks like a possibility too. Clear would allow me to see the
critters under there. We have squirrels making a nest in our gas
grill (hasn't been used in years) now. I wouldn't want them under
there.

Pvc can be heavy, could try Polycarbonate Twinwall if you want some
what clear.
https://www.lowes.com/pd/Tuftex-Poly...-Panel/3043807

PVC *can* be heavy, but these panels aren't. The 2.2' x 8' panels I used were
something like 4 lbs each.

The only reason I needed SWMBO's help mounting them was because they
are so flexible, especially while trying to hold them up to underside of the
joists.

Weight was definitely not an issue.
They weren't too floppy to keep the pitch?

The pitch is created with strapping across the joists, like
hanging drywall on a ceiling. Difference is, the strapping
thinner near the house (none right at the wall) and thicker
as it approaches the gutter. If you want it perfectly flat
along the pitch, use more strapping.

Right, but the stuff is designed to lay on top of purlins and is just
screwed down to keep from blowing to OZ. In this case the screws hold
the weight. Where gravity is your friend on one case, holding the
panels straight against the purlins, it's the enemy in the other as it
pulls it away from the joists.

If I didn't know better, I think that you are trying to tell me that what has
worked under my deck for years couldn't possibly be working. ;-)
Not at all. I'm trying to understand so I can copy it. I'm not sure
I'm getting it. We haven't quite gotten to a thousand words. ;-)
Mine isn’t perfect, probably could use one more strap, but
there’s enough pitch that it never backs up or leaks. It's
a storage area, not a formal dining room.

When you say "strap", do you mean a board under the panel, across the
whole distance?

Stolen without permission from:

https://www.oneprojectcloser.com/str...allation-prep/

"What is Ceiling Strapping?
Strapping a ceiling is the process of installing wood perpendicular to the joists.
The strapping serves as the nailing surface for the drywall."
OK, that's the thousand words I was looking for. It makes even more
sense because the drainage will be parallel to the joists;
perpendicular to the scrapping. Varying the thickness of the
strapping will give me the pitch. I'm not going to be able to give it
much pitch but as long as it doesn't go the wrong way, I should be
good
...or for Tuftex panels.

This strap holds the weight?

In my case, 2 straps hold most of it. BTW, each 8' panel only weighs 4.3 lbs.

At the house, the ends of the panels are screwed to the underside of the deck's
ledger board. Then a few feet out there is a single piece of 1.5" PT wood running
perpendicular to the joists (a strap). Then a few feet further out there is a double
strap (3"). Then, finally, the end of the panels rest on the gutter. That is what
establishes the pitch. The panels are screws to the straps with Tuftex Deck Drain
screws. (the ones with the rubber washers)

https://i.imgur.com/akwDEbx.jpg
That's *exactly* what I want.

Glad I could help. Even went out in the pitch black to take those pictures.

I was scared. You owe me.

I understand. I heard a coyote last night (first one in a couple of
years). I was *really* scareded. The dumb cats didn't even perk
there ears up.

Like I said earlier, it's not perfectly flat, but you can really only tell when looking at it
from the side like in that picture. Again, it's not a formal dining room.

Here's is why I don't think you want to use clear panels. This is the top of the end that
rests on the gutter. Sure, if I had pitched it more maybe there wouldn't be as much debris,
but it has never been a problem. Nothing has ever backed up and caused a leak. The
debris does not show through the white panels, but it sure would show through clear
ones.

https://i.imgur.com/Kjhs2Nt.jpg
Ah, point taken. Clear probably isn't the best idea. I hadn't
considered the grunge from the deck. It'll be Trex, but still.

I have to deal with a gorgeous red maple that extends over the deck, so my grunge
is pretty serious but I wouldn't trade it for anything.


I've got a piece under the stairs up to the deck also. Great
place to keep the 2 wheeled garden cart.

No stairs. No ground access from the deck. :-(

The stairs were the egg that came before the chicken, so to speak. IOW, they were
the reason for the deck.

When we first toured the house before purchasing it, I walked into the addition at the
back of the house, up to the side-by-side double hung windows and looked down into
back yard. After spending a few more minutes in the house, I realized that the only ways
to get to the backyard was to either go out the front door and walk around the house,
down the dirt slope, into the yard, or walk down the basement stairs, again all the way
to the front of the house and then make a U turn, go across the basement and out the
back door.
The deck is original but no access to the back yard, rather like
yours. The stairs have two lefts, then a zig-zag through the basement
to double doors, under one side of the deck.
We moved in in mid-July. By mid-August, the windows had been replaced by a sliding
door and the deck and stairs to the yard were complete. It was my first major project
and it's still standing strong 35 years later.

The following spring I built a small deck and set of stairs one side of the house to ease
the slope to the backyard and put a block walkway down the other side.

What I found amazing was that the family that owned the house before me lived here
for 30 years and raised 4 kids - with no easy access to the backyard. It took me less
than 15 minutes to realize what a huge improvement a deck and set of stairs would be.
I'd really like to at least triple the size of the deck but SWMBO
hasn't decided whether we're staying put. We live a little further
from civilization than she'd like (10-15mi) and would like to move
closer to her friends. My only requirement is an unfinished basement
but the pickings are slim. I'm not willing to borrow money, limiting
things more. Once she decides that we're staying, there are a lot of
things I want to do. It's on her.

Just slap one of these on the side of the deck for the time being. It wouldn't
take up much room and wouldn't really impact an expansion later on. Leave it
where it is or move it, adjusting for any grade difference.

https://i.etsystatic.com/6767490/r/i...66094_njeg.jpg

SWMBO would kill me. She's terrified of ladders. That would be the
end of 50 years.