Deck Skirting Ideas to Elevate Your Porch Design

A welcoming porch or deck serves as a relaxing outdoor living space and adds curb appeal to your home. Unfortunately, the underside often looks unfinished with exposed posts, beams and concrete foundations visible. Adding skirting conceals this eyesore while offering additional functionality and style.

Deck and porch skirtings provide numerous benefits. They hide the unsightly structural elements from view to create a polished look. Skirting also blocks access for critters like skunks and stray cats seeking shelter under your deck. It transforms an ordinary porch into a more inviting, usable space for you and your guests to enjoy.

Materials to Choose From for Porch and Deck Skirtings

With so many options available today, selecting the right skirting material involves weighing factors such as durability, appearance, ease of installation and maintenance needs.

Natural Wood Skirting Ideas

Wood offers unmatched beauty and visual appeal for deck skirting. Cedar, redwood and pressure-treated pine resist decay, insects and moisture damage. Vertical board and batten style skirting provides rustic texture. For a contemporary look, opt for sleek horizontal planks. Wood lattice panels infuse charm and allow airflow.

Unfinished wood requires staining and sealing regularly to prevent cracking, splintering and checking. Composite wood-plastic blends like Trex are also great choices as they offer the look of real wood with maximum all-weather durability.

PVC and Vinyl Skirting

For a budget-friendly skirting material, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is an excellent option. PVC is weather-resistant, low maintenance, and installs quickly with basic tools. Look for premium vinyl skirting featuring insulation and UV-ray protection. Vinyl skirting mimics wood grain or comes in colors like black, tan, gray and white.

Metal Skirting Ideas

Aluminum and galvanized steel are extremely durable metals perfect for porch skirting. Powder-coated aluminum offers the decorative look of wrought iron but will never rust. Sleek corrugated metal panels provide dimension while allowing water drainage between ridges.

Stone, Brick, and Concrete Skirting

Natural stone, brick, and concrete bring sophisticated elegance to deck skirting. Locally quarried stone provides organic texture. Traditional red brick exudes timeless appeal. For a contemporary vibe, gray concrete panels create an urban loft look. Cost-efficient faux options realistically emulate the richness of real stone.

Plant and Shrub Skirting

For a lush, living skirting alternative, consider filling the area under your deck with attractive plants and shrubs. Evergreen bushes like boxwoods or azaleas maintain their foliage year-round. Flowering plants add vibrant seasonal color. Proper drainage and routine pruning keep plant skirting thriving.

Creative Design Concepts for Deck Skirtings

When planning your porch or deck skirting design, think about the overall aesthetic you wish to achieve. Here are some innovative ideas to elevate your space:

Match Existing Siding

Selecting skirting to coordinate with your home's current siding creates a cohesive, integrated look. For example, pair blue vinyl lap siding on the house with matching blue vinyl skirting accented with white trim boards.

Use Skirting as an Accent

Make your new skirting a dramatic focal point by choosing a material that contrasts beautifully with the rest of your home. Striking red brick skirting can accent a charcoal gray house wonderfully.

Incorporate Lattice Panels

Classic square lattice skirting infuses breezy cottage charm. For a modern twist, incorporate lattice featuring unique diamond, circular or geometric patterns. Paint your lattice panels in a fun, bright color for extra whimsical flair.

Get Creative with Colors and Prints

Many PVC and vinyl skirting products now offer exciting colors and prints. Go bold with a playful polka dot design in vibrant hues. Perk up a shady porch with cheery yellow sunflower patterned skirting.

Accent with Trim and Molding

Add visual interest by accenting plain skirting with decorative trim Moldings. Opt for contrasting colors and textures, like a brick red vinyl skirting bordered by classic white picket trim.

Incorporate Lighting and Landscaping

Planting vibrant flowers around the deck perimeter softens skirting's hard edges. Installing post cap lights illuminates skirting and transforms the area into a gorgeous focal point after dusk.

How to Install Deck and Porch Skirtings

Installing skirting around your porch or deck is a relatively easy DIY project for most homeowners. Here are some helpful installation tips:

Take Precise Measurements

Carefully measure the total linear footage needed to skirt around the entire perimeter. Note any irregular angles, uneven sections or obstructions.

Allow Proper Ventilation

Leave a few inches gap between skirting and the ground for airflow circulation and drainage. Use lattice panels or vents if installing solid skirting materials.

Secure Panels Correctly

Use corrosion-resistant exterior screws and construction adhesive specially formulated for your chosen material. Follow manufacturer instructions.

Work Around Obstacles

Notch panels to fit tightly around poles, newel posts or stairs. Use filler strips and flexible sealant to fill any gaps against the house.

Check for Code Requirements

Some municipalities may require permits or compliance with safety codes for skirting over a certain size. Research local regulations before starting.

Choosing the optimal skirting involves evaluating your climate, plans for using the space and maintenance abilities.

Colder climates may warrant insulated skirting to prevent pipes from freezing. Using the area for storage requires moisture-resistant, durable materials. Busy homeowners may prefer low-maintenance vinyl over wood needing frequent staining.

Also assess your existing exterior architecture and landscape. A white farmhouse looks best with neutral-toned skirting while a stone cottage complements organic textured skirting. Visit home stores to view samples before purchasing.

By employing the right porch skirting ideas for your specific home and needs, you can easily create an inviting outdoor oasis you'll want to relax in and admire for years to come.