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There are many reasons to add skirting around your deck. It can help keep beams and other structural elements beneath the deck hidden, provide an out-of-sight place for storing tools and other essentials, and give your outdoor space a more put-together and cohesive look.
Whether you’re building a new deck or wanting to upgrade your existing deck, it can be difficult to decide what designs and materials are right for your home. Below, you can find several deck skirting ideas for the inspiration needed to plan your next deck project.
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1. Wooden Slats
Whether you’re in search of vertical or horizontal deck skirting ideas, wooden boards are a relatively simple and attractive option that complement most deck styles. Vertical boards can give the illusion of additional height, making shorter decks look a bit taller, while horizontal boards work well with both modern and traditional aesthetics. Above, homeowners opted to make their own skirting out of plywood strips that they painted to match the deck. (If you’re less than comfortable with your carpentry skills, consider attaching slatted decorative screen, like the Barrette Outdoor Living screen, and to your deck posts and floor.)
If you’re DIY-ing your own slat skirting, you can customize the spacing between boards based on how much of the under-deck area you wish to conceal; placing the boards directly next to each other lends to a solid-wood look with no gaps to see beneath the desk, while an inch or so of spacing allows some light to filter into the under-deck space. Depending on the size of your deck and the type of wood you use, being able to control the spacing of the slats makes this a potentially inexpensive deck skirting idea.
2. Lattice Panels
Regardless of whether your deck is just a few feet off the ground or a story or two up, you may want to consider using lattice panels for deck skirting. Lattice panels are easy to work with and install. You’ll only need a few simple tools—including a tape measure, circular saw, and drill—to help you create a custom fit for your deck. Lattice panels are available in different colors and designs to help you achieve your desired look.
3. Decorative Panels
As far as deck skirting ideas other than lattice or slats go, decorative deck skirting panels are also easy to cut and customize to fit the layout of your deck. These panels are made of durable materials like polypropylene that hold up to the elements, which is ideal for a product that stays outside year round. Unlike wood, these vinyl polymers won’t warp, twist, split, or rot, allowing your deck skirting to look its best for years to come. Decorative panels, despite not being wooden, can still be painted to coordinate with your deck’s color scheme to boot.
4. Below-Deck Hangout
Don’t be afraid to get creative with your under-deck skirting ideas. For example, adding skirting along just one or two sides of your deck can help create an all-new use for that space. Deck skirting can also help separate the below-deck area from landscaping and other yard features that could get in the way of entertaining. Choose a paint color or stain for the skirting that matches your deck’s support beams for a cohesive finished product. If you want the option for even more privacy, you can always hang outdoor curtains to close off the open sides.
5. Stair Skirting
Rather than adding skirting around the exterior of your low deck or floating deck, consider making the whole perimeter one wide set of stairs. By gradually decreasing the height around your deck, you’ll create an attractive finished product that is also quite functional in allowing deck access.
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6. Greenery
To conceal the area beneath your deck without hiring a deck installation pro or DIYing the job, you can create a natural deck skirt with bushes, shrubs, and other greenery. Simply plant suitable bushes or shrubs around the deck perimeter without leaving much space between them. If you want an upscale look, build or buy flower beds with stone or wood borders—Dalen Products’ StoneWall Border might get you the look you’re going for—before cultivating your privacy plants around the deck.
7. Composite Deck Skirting
Composite deck skirting is resistant to stains, moisture, mildew, and fading, all while imitating the natural look of lumber. Just like regular composite decking, there are numerous finish options to choose from with composite deck skirts, so you shouldn’t have trouble finding a color that coordinates with your home’s siding and trim for a streamlined look. Alternatively, choose a different color for your composite skirting to achieve a modern-looking frame for your deck.
8. Stone Wall Paneling
After following a set of deck plans, adding stone wall paneling is a great way to give your finished project a truly professional look. Stone paneling is cheaper and easier to install than real stone. However, it offers such a realistic appearance that backyard visitors might not even be able to tell the difference.
9. Under-Deck Shed
Maximize the space beneath your deck to gain needed storage space by converting it to a shed. Frame the space under the deck, and add some plywood to build out the structure. Then, to make the shed look like it is a natural addition to your home, add matching siding. Finally, finish off your DIY shed with double doors for easy access to all of your yard equipment.
10. Lights and Landscaping
Turn your covered deck into an architectural masterpiece by using vertical deck boards as skirting. Top off the design by planting a few flowers or bushes along the skirting; adding some uplighting around the skirting can help draw attention to the design and add to the overall beauty of your backyard (products such as Leonlite’s inground lights can help you achieve this look).
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