Revive Your Deck on a Budget with Easy Skirting Upgrades
Is your deck looking a little tired and dated? Upgrading your deck's skirting is an easy and affordable way to give it a fresh new look without breaking the bank. With creative use of inexpensive materials like vinyl, wood, and metal, you can add stylish flair that enhances your outdoor living space.
We'll cover versatile materials, techniques for combining them, and decorative touches to take your design to the next level. Read on to discover how even small inexpensive changes can make a big visual impact.
Materials for Budget-Friendly Skirting
Vinyl Boards
Vinyl boards make an excellent choice for affordable, low-maintenance skirting. Available in a range of colors, vinyl boards can be cut to size and screwed in place along your deck's perimeter. Vinyl is durable and weather-resistant, providing good bang for your buck.
Pros: Vinyl boards are inexpensive, easy to work with, and long-lasting. The smooth finish resists moisture, mold, and mildew. vinyl also comes in different styles - vertical boards, lattice, or even brick and stone looks.
Cons: Over time, vinyl can become brittle and susceptible to damage from impact or high heat. Proper installation is key, allowing adequate ventilation behind boards.
For installation, measure the area needing skirting and cut boards to fit, allowing a 1/4" gap for expansion. Use exterior screws to attach boards to deck framing. For a finished look, add trim pieces along the top and bottom edges.
Wood Slats
Another inexpensive option is using wood slats. The narrow width provides a clean, modern aesthetic. Varying slat widths also allows for customizable privacy levels.
Benefits of wood include its strength and ability to match your deck's surface boards. However, wood requires more maintenance, as it can warp or rot over time. Cedar and redwood have natural resistance to decay.
Measure area to be skirted and cut slats to length. Finished 1x2 and 1x3 slats offer a sleek look. For rustic charm, use old barn wood or salvaged fencing. Attach with exterior screws, allowing gaps for ventilation and drainage.
Scrap Wood
For the ultimate budget material, look no further than scrap wood. Leftover pieces from other projects - old decking, fencing, trim, etc. - can become inventive skirting when repurposed. This saves money while diverting waste from landfills.
While free materials are great, collecting usable scraps takes time. Mismatched woods and sizes can also create a chaotic look if not assembled carefully. Focus on creating visual flow through color, texture, and layout.
Gather scrap pieces and arrange until you're happy with the pattern. Cut pieces to fit as needed. Use exterior construction adhesive and galvanized nails or screws to assemble into cohesive sections. Anchor finished sections around perimeter of deck.
Galvanized Metal
For an industrial vibe, galvanized corrugated steel makes a stylish impact. The dark silver color and bold ridged texture add eye-catching interest. Metal sheets can easily be cut with tin snips and are fairly easy to work with.
As a budget-friendly building material, corrugated metal panels offer durability and weather-resistance too. The waved shape adds strength while allowing water drainage behind the skirting.
Customize the look with fun touches like patterned metal cutouts or contrasting trim. Use self-tapping screws to fasten panels to deck ledgers or framing. Proper installation is important, so panels don't come loose or rattle in the wind.
Faux Stone Panels
For a natural stone look without the weight and expense, faux stone veneer panels make a great choice. Often made from molded concrete or lightweight polymers, they recreate the texture of real stacked stone.
Stone veneer provides an upscale, finished appearance while blocking light and debris beneath your deck. Thicker panels are more durable but will be heavy, so make sure your framing can support the weight.
Measure the space and purchase accordingly sized stone panels. Use concrete adhesive to attach, adding galvanized screws or construction adhesive for extra hold. Seal all seams with flexible caulk to prevent moisture getting behind panels.
Creative Ways to Combine Materials
One of the best aspects of using inexpensive skirting materials is the ability to get creative by combining different types. This allows for complete customization based on your aesthetic vision, budget, and practical needs.
For example, galvanized corrugated sheets could be used as the primary skirting, with sections of black aluminum lattice panels worked in between. The contrasting colors and textures look modern and eye-catching.
Or you could alternate wood slats and faux stone veneer panels. This merges natural and modern elements for visual interest. Wider wood slats offer privacy nearest the house, while narrower ones allow more airflow farther out.
To plan a mixed media design, sketch out ideas to visualize placement. Combine materials with similar tones or purposefully contrast them. Measure and purchase materials, allowing extra for irregular spaces. Take time during installation to step back and ensure your creative vision comes to life.
Adding Decorative Touches
Personalize your new skirting even more with easy decorative touches. Add a pop of color by painting or staining wood or metal panels. Galvanized tin can be aged with vinegar for a vintage patina.
Incorporate lighting for both form and function. Discreet solar path lights illuminate steps and pathways. Strip LEDs attach to edges for a cool glow effect at night.
Plant flower boxes or pots of trailing greenery at the base of your new skirting to soften the foundation. Accent with yard art, wind chimes or other personal flair that complements the overall aesthetic.
Keep decor cohesive and well-proportioned to highlight the skirting itself. The goal is an enhanced yet unified look. Your deck will seem thoughtfully curated, not haphazardly adorned.
Tips for Measuring and Installing
To determine how much material you need, carefully measure around the entire perimeter of your deck. Account for irregular shapes and deduct areas that don't need skirting. Provide the total square footage to materials suppliers to order product.
For custom sizing wood or metal panels, measure each section individually. Snap chalk lines where skirting will be installed to guide the cuts. Always double check measurements.
installation often involves drilling or screwing into deck framing. Use caution not to damage structural components. Work from the top down and start with corner pieces. Leave 1/4" gaps between panels or boards for drainage.
Power tools like circular saws, jigsaws, and drills make installation much easier. Have an assistant help hold materials in place. Follow all safety protocols when using tools and ladders.
FAQ
How much does inexpensive skirting cost?
Budget skirting like wood slats or vinyl boards can cost around $2 - $8 per square foot. Corrugated metal is $3 - $15 per square foot. More expensive options like faux stone veneer average $15 - $25 per square foot installed. Exact costs depend on materials, local rates, and how much skirting you need.
What's the best way to skirt a deck with uneven ground?
For sloping or uneven areas, opt for flexible materials like vinyl sheets that can conform to dips and angles. Custom cut metal or wood panels to suit each section. Stack stone veneer courses to step up or down with the grade. Floating deck boxes around posts can also help smooth transitions.
How often does inexpensive skirting need maintenance?
Check vinyl and metal skirting yearly for damage, warping, or loose panels. Wood needs more frequent inspection for rot, staining, etc. Spot clean vinyl or repaint wood as needed. Most inexpensive materials only require occasional minor upkeep to look great for years.
What's better - open slat or closed panel skirting?
Open slat skirting provides more airflow and light penetration underneath. It offers a clean, modern look. But open slats don't block debris or animals as effectively. For more privacy and protection, solid vinyl panels or corrugated metal are better choices.
Reviving your deck doesn't have to drain your wallet. With smart use of inexpensive materials like vinyl, wood, and metal, you can upgrade your deck's skirting on a budget. Following clever design tips will help your new skirting enhance your deck's style.
Materials like faux stone panels, galvanized tin, and wood slats offer durability and weather-resistance at wallet-friendly prices. Combining materials allows for limitless customization too. Add lighting, greenery, and other decorative touches to make your DIY skirting uniquely yours.
Inexpensive skirting can change the look of your deck. So don't settle for a tired, dated deck. Use the affordable ideas in this article to refresh your outdoor space today!