How to Use Deck Skirting to Protect the Base of Your Deck

Adding a deck skirt protects the base of your deck from animals and rodents that like to hide out under there. It also adds a decorative flair and helps keep the area functional.

A simple wood skirt can easily match your deck and leans towards a modern style. The gap between the boards allows ventilation which is important for your deck. You’ll be glad you read this!

Keeps Kids and Animals Out

Kids are notorious for deciding to play where they shouldn’t, and the space under your deck can be a tempting adventure. Skirting will ensure that this area remains off-limits, helping to keep children safe. It also works to turn away critters looking for a cozy home, such as squirrels, raccoons, and rats. These curious scavengers can damage infrastructure, chew on wires and wood, and spread disease.

The choice of material to use for your skirting depends on your budget and aesthetic preferences. Some homeowners prefer a stone brick look, while others opt for traditional lattice panels. The latter is constructed from thin strips of wood woven together in a crisscross pattern, creating a diamond-shaped grid that covers the frame under your deck. This type of skirting offers ventilation to prevent moisture buildup under the deck, but it is less durable than other options.

Creates Storage Space

One of the most appealing uses for deck skirting is that it creates a space where homeowners can store outdoor tools, gardening equipment, and other items. It’s an inconspicuous way to keep clutter out of sight and easy to access. For this reason, it’s important to include a door or hinged panels in the deck skirting design to make it easier to access when needed.

Skirting also discourages animals and rodents from crawling under your home for warmth or shelter. This protects the foundation and prevents damage caused by wildlife burrowing in or chewing on wiring, wood, and other infrastructural components underneath your deck.

Using the right type of deck skirting is crucial to protecting your property and preserving your investment. Whether you choose wood, vinyl lattice, metal, or brick, work with an experienced TimberTech-registered contractor to get the most out of this smart upgrade feature. For the best results, use a material that offers ventilation to help ward off mold growth.

Creates a Gate Door

The slats in this deck skirt aren’t vertical, which gives the look of a gate and creates a visually appealing elongation for the deck. It works well with farmhouse and contemporary styles of homes and blends beautifully with the home’s trim and railing color. This skirt also leaves space between the slats, which allows for ventilation and keeps bugs from setting up camp under the deck.

The panels in this galvanized metal deck skirt are solid, which helps keep animals out and saves energy costs by keeping the heat in the deck. These panels are easy to install and complement most decks, but they’re especially attractive when paired with wood framing.

If you want something less expensive, try this polyurethane skirting alternative to the traditional lattice. It looks like stack stone and comes in a range of colors to complement your design style. It’s also durable enough to stand up to most weather elements and abrasions from children and pets playing underneath the deck.

Adds a Flower Garden

The simplest way to hide the area beneath your deck is with plants and shrubs. Strategically placed shrubs like boxwood and inkberry holly work as a natural deck skirt, concealing the area and minimizing the need for extra building materials. Keep them trimmed to avoid overgrowth.

Lattice panels are another great option for a deck skirt. A simple grid pattern complements many styles of architecture, and gaps between panels provide ventilation. You can create a unique look by using framed or unframed lattice, installing it tight together or leaving small spaces between boards, alternate colors, using different slat sizes, or even a combination of these elements.

A flower garden under your deck is another great way to beautify the space and add color. The cooler months are a great time to plant vegetables, herbs, and flowers that do well in Central Texas weather. Next blog post.