I live in North Carolina and I am planning to have a deck built. The deck will be about 4 feet off the ground and will be about 500 square feet. There is a small slope away from the house where the deck will be built. I don't have any drainage issues in this area.

Contractor that I am considering suggested using gravel under the deck on top of some kind of landscape material. The contractor says the gravel will help absorb the water plus keep down the weeds under the deck.

Questions:

Should I go with the gravel or just use wed killer to treat any weeds and assume that the drainage under the deck will be fine ?

Will the gravel under the house produce extra heat ?

 

The gravel would be fine and shouldn't create any kind of problem. You can spread it over landscape fabric, plastic, or what I use - roofing felt. You're okay if the slope is away from the house. The gravel will keep any weeds down as they will have nothing to root in. Over time though there will probably be some weeds to take care of.

fred

 

Fred,

Thanks for the feedback. There is an extra cost for the gravel work and I am looking for ways to save $$.

Do you think this is one area that I could skip to save $$ ?

I guess my only real exposure is weeds.

Thanks !!

 

Depends on the contractor's extra cost.
You could forego the gravel for awhile.
Or you could certainly diy later. A bag of gravel is only a buck or so. Or have a small load delivered.
fred

 

Cost of gravel installed is $280 which includes the landscape material. Deck is 475 sq feet.

Does the price sound reasonable?

Thanks !!

 

Angie,
That price doesn't sound too bad installed.
A dump load of standard driveway gravel(limestone) here is about 135 bucks. So, add the hauling, laying fabric, spreading the gravel, etc. - not too bad.
But if you diy, it's alot of work moving/hauling/spreading gravel.
So, the choice is up to you.
You may wanyt to do some planting underneath too. Ground covers or shade loving plants.
good luck,
fred