Decks and Gardens – building details
I have two problems to solve with deck building. First, I need to keep critters from moving into the crawlspace underneath. Until I blocked off the last deck I built (our front porch) with treated 2x lumber dug into the ground, we had a family of raccoons living there. No, we don’t have a dog. The second problem is that I want to run the new deck right up to a new garden. I am thinking about solving both problems with one solution: Couldn’t I face the exterior side of the rim joists/beams with cement backer board that is usually used for tile underlayment? I would dig the bottom edge into the ground a bit and fasten to the treated lumber with the ususual screws. Perhaps I should also place builder’s felt between the two surfaces. That way, garden soil could be contained right up against the deck without contacting the wood directly. Comments would be appreciated.
The Elegant Solution
Replies
I saw your post at Breaktime too and responded there, but thought I'd reply here too--"hardware cloth" is what I've heard they call the large gage screen to keep critters out. You can get it at hardware stores. It comes in various "courseness"--like 1/4" grid, 1/8" grid (spacing between the wires), up to maybe 1". Others had good answers about it at Breaktime, but didn't call it "hardware cloth" which I think if you ask for will get you a better response at a hardware store than asking for screen or fencing. Good luck.
The problem that I can think of with enclosing the crawl space under your deck is moisture. I think without adequate flow through of air you'll get quite a nice mold colony under your deck. By enclosing the craw space with cement board you are cutting off that flow of air.