Under my deck

[LLUncoolJ]

Some day, I suspect the weather here in STL will turn from winter to summer...spring seems to be out of the question. I have a deck off the main level of our walkout ranch house. Under the deck we had problems with water pooling on the patio, mainly due to a crappy grade job by the builder. I had a nice under deck gutter system custom made. Not only did it solve the problem, but it's now almost like a little outdoor room.

Supporting the deck are (3) 6x4 posts. They are treated wood and are kinda ugly. I'm looking for ideas to decorate or hide them. We seem to be gravitating toward a poolside-tiki motif. I thought about winding them in natural fiber rope, but since they are not square, I'm concerned it may not look right. Anybody have any ideas?

[javeryh]

Got any pics?  My parents have a really tall deck and my dad hung some grated wood (I don't know the specific name but it is wood slats in a woven pattern) between the pillars about 2 years ago (but left an entry-way).  Now it looks awesome because they are all covered with ivy.  It's a nice shady area to hang out in - he is planning to level the "floor" and put a few tables and chairs eventually...

[NiN^_^NiN]

You can build a square case around them (im at a loss for words what it is it's like an outside version of plaster board chiprock?)

Then you can use the render paint to give it a stone look then you can spruce it up with vines and tiki masks etc.

You don't have to go with a square either you can do any shape and you can use any type of paint as well

Or you can use a cheaper and easier method of using bamboo and wrapping it around the posts with rope/vine so you have the tiki look but hide the post

[LLUncoolJ]

Here's what I'm working with and the under deck gutter.

[whammoed]

Box them in with 1x wood or some sort of decay resistant exterior material...hardi plank or some such.  Add blocks to one side to square them.  This will give them a more substantial look.  Add some additional trim to the top and bottom to finish them off.  Paint.

[Necro]

Whoever did your siding/gutter - have them wrap them in the same material. 

[Donkey_Kong]

I would probably just paint those. If you do I recommend Kilz Oil base Primer and then top coat it with something like white latex paint to match those stair railings.


Second thought: The white might not look good there but maybe your house trim color, or something?

[Necro]

That was my thought DK - just get some vinyl clad aluminum, same color, wrapped around them.  Done. 

I think the railings are plastic/vinyl anyway, so would match or could do that color.

[Howard_Casto]

If that isn't what you are looking for your local building supplier should have a variety of columns you can get.  They are typically hollow and made out of aluminum or vinyl and made to fit around a standard square post.  And before you ask, they are seamed so you can wrap them around the post without having to remove it first.