Anyone have experience with under deck ceiling systems?

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PA & CMC, NJ
We're going to be replacing the existing deck at our beach house sometime mid-late fall
The current structure is 10'x30' second floor on 2x10 joists 16"O.C. with 2x6 decking. It's old but structurally solid. The 6x6 posts were replaced 8 years ago and wrapped in PVC and the 6x6 beam is original...1980?? It's definitely showing signs of rot on the very ends.
There is a concrete porch directly underneath and about 12 years ago a under deck waterproofing ceiling system called DrySnap was installed. That company has since gone belly up. It did work reasonably well but I question how adequate air circulation to the joists is other than the joints on the upper deck and an opening a foot or so on the beam end.
The choices are a fiberglass deck or composite decking...Trex, TimberTech, etc...
Both have their adventures and disadvantages.
Fiberglass is somewhat common on the new construction but it has to be done perfectly and is not maintenance free. Any surface damage has to be repaired immediately. It has to be recoated every 5-10 years and you're limited to grey, tan or white. Also, puddling after rain is common. However, you can have any ceiling you like underneath.

Composite decking...Trex. etc... is more appealing, I've found it maintenance free and there are a variety of drainage systems available but they require experienced installers.

Anyone here have experience with under deck ceiling systems?
 
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I also have a patio over a patio that was replaced 8 years ago. The contractor put a decorative flexible membrane as the top surface to handle the water. Unfortunately the surface quickly developed mildew spots that cannot be power washed off. It otherwise works fine.
 
If you're talking about a "ceiling" under the deckboards of the deck above your porch so you can enjoy the porch when it rains etc., I did something pretty easy on my former house with a similar deck above porch/lower deck. I used metal roofing panels. Local metal retailer supplied them in 22' lengths and I attached them to the header board of the upper deck where it joined the house bandboard. Ran J-channel under this and under the flashing the entire length of the header board to catch any drips to send off to the ends. Fabbed a stringer framework of 1x2s to support the panels and attached a beam to the posts about a foot lower than the joists at the end of the upper deck to provide some slope for water runoff. Worked like a charm and never got wet under the upper deck. Visited the old neighborhood a couple years ago and dropped by the old house to see how things had held up in several DIY things I did. Owner said it was still bone dry underneath even in heavy downpours.
 
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If you're talking about a "ceiling" under the deckboards of the deck above your porch so you can enjoy the porch when it rains etc., I did something pretty easy on my former house with a similar deck above porch/lower deck. I used metal roofing panels. Local metal retailer supplied them in 22' lengths and I attached them to the header board of the upper deck where it jioned the house bandboard Ran J-channel under this and against the flashing the entire length of the header board to catch any drips to send off to the ends. Fabbed a stringer framework of 1x2s to support the panels and attached a beam to the posts about a foot lower than the joists at the end of the upper deck to provide some slope for water runoff. Worked like a charm and never got wet under the upper deck. Visited the old neighborhood a couple years ago and dropped by the old house to see how things had held up in several DIY things I did. Owner said it was still bone dry underneath even in heavy downpours.
I think I know what you mean. I've seen many DIY solutions using
PVC corrugated panels fastened to PT 1x2s perpendicular to the joists but sloped away from the house to a rain to a rain gutter and downspout. Can't use aluminum or galvanized...they don't play well with PT lumber.

Screenshot_20260611-091135.webp


Screenshot_20260611-091637.webp
 
Exact same concept and originally thought about using those corrugated fiberglass panels. Couldn't get then in 22' lengths to provide a seamless run so used the metal ones. They are powder-coated steel and the finish was still good some 23 years later.
 
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