Get Creative With DIY Under Deck Skirts

If you have an elevated deck, you've likely noticed the unsightly empty space left beneath it. While this area tends to get overlooked, under deck skirting offers a creative DIY opportunity to transform it into a functional and aesthetically pleasing accent. With the right materials and designs, you can craft a custom skirt around the perimeter of your deck to enhance both its appearance and utility. From storage solutions to decorative touches, under deck skirting provides a blank canvas for innovation.

We'll look at popular materials, eye-catching designs, storage enhancements, and decorative accents to spur your creativity. Follow along to discover how this often neglected area can become a beautiful and useful asset with the addition of some strategic skirting.

Materials for Under Deck Skirting

The materials you choose for your DIY under deck skirt will influence its overall look, durability, and cost. Here are some top options to consider:

Natural Wood Options

For a traditional, natural aesthetic, wood is a classic skirting material. Cedar, redwood, and pressure-treated pine are popular choices due to their inherent resistance to rot and insects. Keep in mind that untreated softwoods like fir and pine are more prone to decay. Wood skirting boards will need periodic sealing, staining or painting to maintain their appearance and function.

Wood species, board size, and grade will impact cost. While cedar and redwood are more expensive, they can last 20+ years. Pine is an affordable softwood. Buying in bulk volume discounts along with utilizing common board sizes can yield savings.

Composite Wood Alternatives

For the look of wood without the maintenance, composite decking offers a durable solution. Manufactured brands like Trex and TimberTech consist of wood fibers mixed with resins or PVC. This makes them resistant to moisture, mold, and insects.

Composite skirting won't rot, warp, or require staining like natural woods. These products come in a range of contemporary colors and realistic wood grain patterns. Though more expensive initially, composites save labor time for installation and upkeep.

Vinyl and PVC Panels

For a lightweight, affordable option, vinyl and PVC panels are prized for their durability and low maintenance. These molded plastic panels snap or slot together to form an under deck enclosure. Vinyl skirting won't absorb moisture and resists termites, rot, and mildew.

Both vinyl and PVC panels come in neutral solids and faux finishes to mimic wood or masonry. Feature strips, trim pieces, and vents are available to customize the look. Quick DIY installation and inherently low maintenance make vinyl and PVC budget-friendly choices.

Metal Sheets

For an industrial, contemporary aesthetic, metal sheets offer sleek, straight lines. Galvanized steel and aluminum are commonly used. These metals resist corrosion and easily form clean, minimalist panels.

Metals like Corten steel develop rust patinas over time, allowing dynamic change. Unfinished aluminum or galvanized steel take powder coating or paint well. Pair metal skirting with woods or masonry decking for striking visual contrast.

Stone and Brick

For organic texture, natural stone and brick lend a graceful, timeless feel to under deck skirting. Locally quarried stone provides geological character and sustainability. Dry stack stone patterns have an informal style.

Cultured stone veneers offer realistic looks with easier installation and lower costs. Faux brick panels quickly transform standard framing into a classic brick facade. Pair masonry skirting with built-in planters for a seamless effect.

Popular Under Deck Skirting Designs

Once you've chosen your base materials, it's time to consider the overall skirting design. Arrangement, patterns, and combinations provide creative opportunity. Here are some of the most popular under deck skirting looks:

Lattice Panels

A lattice skirt adds breezy charm with its crisscrossing strips. This traditional look features a clean, airy aesthetic. Vertical lattices have a streamlined feel, while diagonal patterns provide dynamic visual interest.

Natural unfinished wood lattices bring organic warmth. Composite and PVC lattice options reduce maintenance. For privacy, overlap lattice strips or combine with another skirting material like fabric or vinyl panels.

Vertical Board Skirting

Vertically oriented skirting boards produce clean, continuous lines and surfaces. Wider planks make a bold statement, while narrow strips have a refined look. Varying board widths adds visual dynamism.

Leave wood boards natural or stain complementary tones. Painted boards in contrasting colors create an eye-catching color block effect. Alternate materials like composite and natural wood for textural intrigue.

Horizontal Board Skirting

Horizontally oriented skirting boards provide a relaxed, nautical vibe with their horizontal slat arrangement. This approach features a more open, ventilated appearance than vertical boards.

Use wider tongue and groove planks for a beach house look. Narrow strips exude a refined craftsman charm. Leave space between boards for breezy openness and plant integration. Feature built-in benches along horizontal skirting for seating.

Mix and Match Materials

For a fully custom aesthetic, combine multiple materials in your under deck skirting design. Blend the sleek lines of metal sheets with the warmth of wood panels. Or, pair the ruggedness of stone with airy lattice inserts.

Using different materials and patterns creates visual dynamism and interest. This eclectic approach results in a personalized skirting solution tailored to your individual style.

Enhancing Under Deck Storage Spaces

A properly enclosed under deck area provides useful storage potential. Tailor this versatile space to your needs with storage-optimizing enhancements:

Building Access Doors

Convenient access makes storing and retrieving items hassle-free. Install hinged, lift-up, or sliding doors strategically to avoid disrupting your deck's sightlines. Match the door style and material to complement your skirting for a cohesive look.

Place doors near stairs or high-traffic deck areas for easy access. Hardware should be corrosion resistant. Include a lock for security. Consider lighting near doors for visibility when retrieving items at night.

Adding Shelving and Racks

Maximize vertical storage with shelving units or wall-mounted racks. Sturdy garage storage systems with adjustable shelves are ideal for organizing tools, outdoor gear, and furniture cushions. Folding racks accommodate long-handled tools.

Use vintage furniture like dressers or storage cabinets to stash extra blankets and cushions with character. Labeling and bin systems keep everything orderly and accessible.

Electrical and Lighting

For function and ambiance, wiring the area under your deck expands possibilities. Install outlets to run power tools, charge batteries, or illuminate landscape lighting. Switch locations allow lights to be turned on as needed.

Accent lighting adds allure while illuminating stairs or pathways. Motion sensor lights provide visibility and security. Use outdoor-rated fixtures with GFCI outlets for safety.

Accentuating Your Under Deck Skirt

Beyond enclosing the area, under deck skirting offers opportunities to embellish with plants, color, and decorative accents:

Incorporating Planters and Greenery

Tucking planter boxes into the edges of under deck skirting softens hard edges. Cascading flowers, grasses, and ferns enhance organic appeal.

Choose low-maintenance, shade-tolerant plants. Automated drip irrigation keeps plants flourishing. Accent lighting showcases greenery and adds ambiance after dusk.

Paint and Stain Colors

Strategic colors unite your skirting with the deck or home's exterior. Match paint or stain hues to echo architectural details. Contrasting colors make the skirt a dramatic focal point.

Consider undertones so colors complement each other. Matte or satin finishes minimize glare and dirt. Use naturally mold-inhibiting exterior grade paints and stains.

Decorative Touches

Infuse personality and flair with decorative enhancements. Affix artwork, hanging lanterns, or chic mirrors to blank skirting walls. Privacy screens block views while displaying color and texture.

Built-in benches flanking access doors provide convenient seating. Uplighting ascends vertical boards with modern allure. Have fun customizing your skirt to showcase your unique style.

Under deck skirting presents a blank canvas brimming with creative possibilities. With mindful material selection and savvy design choices, this often overlooked space can be transformed into a valuable accent.

Storage solutions keep the area organized while decorative touches add artistry. Tying skirting colors and textures to the deck and landscape promotes cohesion. The potential is limitless for crafting custom under deck skirts that unlock functionality and beauty.

So don't resign that empty space beneath your deck to gloomy obscurity. Follow these tips to unveil its potential through imaginative skirting projects. You may discover your new favorite feature was right underfoot all along!