Why fabric under a deck, pavers, and sheds lasts
Weeds pushing up under a deck are the hardest kind to reach, so stop them before the boards go down. Installing fabric under a deck (and under pavers and sheds too) suppresses weeds, lets water drain, and keeps soil from mixing into the base. Cut the fabric snug around posts and supports, then overlap the flaps so weeds cannot work the gap. Size the run with the DOTDAY Fabric Calculator. Free US shipping, no minimum.
Which weight for which structure
| Structure | Recommended fabric | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Under a deck (weed control) | SHIELD 3.2oz | No load on the fabric, just weed suppression and airflow |
| Shed base / ground cover | SHIELD 3.2oz | Light duty separation and weed control under the floor |
| Paver patio or path | XBAR 5oz | Carries the compacted base and traffic without tearing |
| Drainage trench alongside | TERRA non-woven | Filters and flows water rather than bearing load |
The fabric that belongs under the structure
XBAR is the 5oz dual-layer for pavers and load. Use the tabs if the job is a deck or shed (SHIELD) or a drain (TERRA).
SHIELD
From $64.49 per roll, or $0.08 per sq ft.
3.2 oz woven polypropylene. Six roll sizes.
Flat-tape woven polypropylene.Strong in-plane, so a full run pulls across a bed without tearing.
Blocks light, not water.Rain and irrigation pass through to the roots while weeds stay denied.
Plant straight through it.X-cuts at your spacing let seedlings in; the surface between stays covered.
180/105 lb grab strength.ASTM D4632, so it survives being pulled, pinned, and planted.
70% UV retention at 500 hrs.ASTM G154. Cover promptly with mulch or soil to protect it.
Available in 9 roll sizes
XBAR
From $37.99 per roll, or $0.15 per sq ft.
5 oz dual-layer woven. Nine roll sizes.
Two layers, one job each.The woven face carries the load; the needle-punched backing blocks light and stops pumping.
332 lb CBR puncture resistance.ASTM D6241, so angular stone and machine traffic do not open it up.
10.5 gal/min/sf water flow.ASTM D4491. Breathable under load instead of pooling beneath the surface.
12 inch guide lines woven in.Keeps rows, cuts, and overlaps straight across a long run.
29.5 mil thickness, sealed edges.Cuts clean with a knife and does not unravel.
TERRA
From $69.99 per roll at 4 oz, $89.99 at 6 oz.
Non-woven needle-punched. Three weights.
310.8 gpm/ft2 water flow at 8 oz.ASTM D4491. Water moves through the mat, not across it.
Filters the fines.Holds silt and soil out of your stone so the drain still works in year five.
697 lb CBR puncture at 8 oz.ASTM D6241, built for angular stone and compaction.
Three weights, one construction.4 oz for drainage, 6 oz for drains and walls, 8 oz for road base.
Conforms to the trench.The felt-like mat drapes around pipe instead of bridging and tenting.
Measured your build site? Get roll count and price
Enter the footprint of your deck, patio, or shed pad and get the right fabric, roll size, and quantity to order.
Step-by-step: installing fabric under hardscape
- 1Prepare the areaClear the zone for your deck, pavers, or shed. Remove vegetation, rocks, and debris, and aim for a level surface for stability.
- 2Lay the fabricRoll out the fabric across the cleared area for complete coverage. On larger areas, overlap sheets by at least 6 inches so weeds cannot find the seams.
- 3Anchor itSecure the fabric with staples or pins every 12 to 18 inches along seams and edges so it stays put, especially in windy conditions.
- 4Excavate where neededFor pavers or deck footings, dig to depth carefully without tearing the fabric where it needs to stay intact. Around posts and supports, cut the fabric to fit snug against each footing and overlap the cut flaps a few inches so weeds cannot work through the gap.
- 5Layer and finishFor pavers, add crushed stone or gravel on top for drainage and a stable base. For sheds, follow the foundation guidelines, then secure any exposed fabric edges.
Building decks and patios across sites?
DOTDAY supplies SHIELD and XBAR to contractors direct, by the roll or in bulk, matched to each ground condition.
Get the weight right for the load
The most common mistake is using a light fabric under pavers. Under a compacted base and foot traffic it tears and lets aggregate sink, so paver areas need XBAR 5oz dual-layer. Decks and shed floors put no real load on the fabric, so SHIELD 3.2oz is the cost-effective choice there for weed control and airflow. For a drainage trench beside the structure, TERRA non-woven geotextile filters and flows water. For pavers specifically, see our guide on weed barrier under pavers.
Find the right fabric in two minutes
Answer a few questions about your ground condition and get matched to SHIELD, XBAR, or TERRA for the job.
Find Your FabricThree fabrics. One simple rule.
Use the right fabric for the right ground condition.
SHIELD
Woven polypropylene weed barrier built to suppress weeds while letting water and air through.
XBAR
Heavy-duty woven hybrid engineered for load and separation under hard surfaces.
TERRA
Non-woven geotextile designed for drainage, filtration, and soil separation.
