33 Inexpensive Deck Skirting Ideas

A deck’s skirting is one piece of the overall deck design. It contributes to the aesthetic appeal and the sturdiness of the deck while keeping unwanted critters out.

There is a variety of deck skirting options to choose from, and picking the right one depends on your preferences and the intended purpose of the skirting. We’ve put together a list of the best deck skirting ideas that are relatively inexpensive and easy to install!

Materials Used for Deck Skirting

Before doing anything else, determining the purpose of your deck skirting is the first step in the process. Whether you’re intentionally trying to keep animals from underneath, hide the ugly underside, create a storage space, or simply add another design element, the materials used will differ. Installing deck skirting is a fairly easy task, even for a DYI novice. Keep in mind if you can handle it on your own or need to call in a professional.

The most common deck skirting materials include:

• Solid wood
• Wood lattice
• Faux stone
• Composite materials
• Bricks
• Metal
• Plants and shrubs

Under the Deck Skirting Ideas

The underdeck is an ideal area for a wide variety of uses, depending on your space. One great way to use this space is by converting it into outdoor storage for things like pool supplies, outdoor furniture, lawn movers, or items that won’t fit in the garage!

You can choose regular siding that matches the rest of your house or use a lattice design for some extra airflow. If the area is large enough, you can install a small garage-like door that matches the wood used for your deck boards and railings.

If you plan on storing items under the deck that aren’t waterproof, you’ll want to install a deck drainage system and an underdeck ceiling beneath the deck boards. Otherwise, water from precipitation will find its way into your storage space through the cracks in the decking boards. When moisture gets trapped, it can lead to mildew and rotting. So, check out this guide on ideas for underdeck ceilings!

Lattice Deck Skirting

Lattice deck skirting is probably the most commonly used and is constructed using lattice panels. Traditional lattice for deck skirting is made from wood, plastic, or aluminum. The pricing of wood lattice tends to vary by the type of lumber used, and while it is sometimes cheaper than plastic, it is always less durable.

You can buy ready-made lattice panels in a home improvement store or order custom-sized panels to suit your needs through a direct seller. The lattice style depends on the design look you want. Lattice panels are available as square cells (horizontal and vertical lines) or diamond cells (diagonal lines). The amount of space in each cell will also determine whether an animal can make its way into the area.

Wood Lattice Skirting Ideas

The classic wood lattice design is timeless, easy to install, and affordable. Using an unframed diamond lattice pattern on a wooden deck is a great choice. You can match the type of wood to the deck boards or stain unfinished lumber. This design is cohesive, simple, and fits a small budget.

Another great use of wooden lattice to showcase the deck’s structure uses square cell latticework and framing. The wood works nicely with the surrounding design and even complements the wood used for the railings and deck boards.

Black Vinyl Lattice Skirting Ideas

Using black vinyl lattice underneath is one way to make your deck stand out with skirting. Like its commonly used counterpart, white lattice, it contrasts starkly with the other design colors allowing for some interesting combinations. It’sIt’s also very easy to install and requires little maintenance for upkeep.

This wraparound porch uses black vinyl to offset the existing structure’s bright whites and muted gray and brown. Instead of calling attention to itself, it blends with the space underneath and matches the window frames on the house.

This design uses a more complex latticework that does not follow the traditional cell format. It also goes unframed around the underside, so the space underneath is almost completely visible. Paired well with the black deck railings, this lattice adds a layer of intricate design that works as a subtle accent.

Deck Skirting Ideas for Uneven Outdoor Space

If the area where your deck sits has a bit of a slope or angle, lattice might be your best bet for skirting. You can easily cut the bottom of your lattices to match the plane where it meets the ground. For example, this deck uses framed white lattice to match the downward-sloping ground and has a gate door installed to access underneath.

Another great solution uses stone bricks. Though lower to the ground and covering less space, this deck fits wonderfully with the rest of the house, allowing for a seamless transition between the deck and the backyard.

You can also use wooden planks to fit an uneven ground surface. The image below shows how the planks were cut to accommodate the steep difference between the deck’s surface and the ground underneath. It also meshes perfectly with the deck board wood and the railing.

Raised Deck Skirting Ideas

Taller decks give you a larger canvas to play with more intricate designs. You can combine many elements to make a more interesting final result. It’s also worth noting that you’ll want to use lattice frames for added support to the substructure.

This outdoor deck uses a complex black lattice design, divided by wooden posts, that wraps around the stairs. It matches well with the metal railings and is backlit by lights that complement the stair lighting. It provides for a sleek design that spruces up an already beautiful deck.

Some raised deck designs extend the deck’s surface, making for a uniform design. For example, this design uses thick planks made of the same bold redwood as the deck boards and railing frames. The result is a deck that stands out without being an eyesore!

One design that gracefully combines elements from the last two examples is this second-story deck. The lattice fills the empty space underneath while still allowing for storage space. It also uses wood with different grains giving it an interesting look. The orange umbrella and black patio furniture tie things together nicely and perfectly fit in with the property’s structure.

Low Deck Skirting Ideas 

With a deck that is lower to the ground, skirting isn’t a necessity, but it can be a fun way to alter your deck’s design. While structural support isn’t a concern, you can choose to go with framed or unframed skirting, depending on your preference.

This composite deck uses thick horizontal planks with borders above and below to fill the space. You can see that the skirting fits well with the design of the deck surface, as it seems like a natural progression from one to the other. It also follows a simple color scheme that looks amazing with the blue decoration accents.

Vertical Deck Skirting Ideas 

Vertical skirting is pretty straightforward, which makes it a great choice to fit with most traditional and modern types of architecture. It also is very suitable for working with uneven ground.

This design has a fence-like appearance, using wooden planks to hide the empty space under the deck. The design has a sturdy feel that matches beautifully with the thick posts and beams of the deck above and keeps consistency with the vertical siding of the house.

Here is another design with a similar fencing style but thinner planks for the skirting. Again, the homeowners used the deck material for the skirting, this time in black. The railing and skirting posts have similar widths, so they appear more uniform and visually appealing. It also matches well with the trim and siding of the house and the porch decorations.

This next design is simple and to the point. Using planks like the decking boards, it connects the surface to the ground without framing. As a result, it blocks off the space underneath in a way that is efficient and inexpensive.

Horizontal Deck Skirting Ideas

Horizontal deck skirting can give your home a more rustic feel and often works well when accented with foliage and good landscaping!

Using natural wood, this elevated deck skirting design feels finished but still maintains the openness of the underdeck area. Supported by vertical beams along the length of each plank, it keeps animals out but keeps some of the space underneath visible. It also allows the full grain of the wood to shine through and add some extra character to the house.

Another outdoor living space that uses natural wood works well with the backyard garden! The dark brown of the wood fits with the greenery and light blue shade of the house. The horizontal lines of the skirting match well with the boards and railings, giving this small deck a sense of cohesion and fluidity.

Using horizontal planks patterned with alternating sizes, this deck chooses to completely block off the area underneath and replace it with a visually interesting look. It also works with the uneven, rocky terrain, the medium dark wood complemented by the mossy rocks. Using striated planks like these can be a great way to give your skirting a little extra curb appeal.

Modern Deck Skirting Ideas

One great staple of modern design is horizontal lines. They elongate the appearance of your home and capture a sleek, contemporary feeling. This design uses dark horizontal wooden planks in slats to finish the skirting, using material that matches the rest of the deck’s surface. It also helps to convey a sophisticated elegance with bright, bold colors that contrast with the pergola and house.

This deck uses an abstract metal lattice with a design of alternating dots and lines. It matches the high-end architecture of the house, and its muted tone helps to not distract too much from its surroundings.

Here’s a design that uses its materials well for a uniquely modern look. The vertical planks accentuate the curved railing posts underneath while still visually fitting with the rest of the design. It also helps the railing posts and lanterns to stand out amongst the uniform wooden appearance of the deck.

Stone and Bricks Skirting Ideas

Long-lasting, sturdy, and solid, stone and brick skirtings give a sense of security that’s tough to mimic. They convey a contemporary architecture style while remaining traditional and complementing wooden decks well.

This deck skirting design uses multicolored bricks to create a traditional stone wall look. It balances tastefully with the bright, natural wood of the deck and elevates it. Compare it with some of the lattice and wooden designs we’ve looked at earlier to get a sense of how it plays into the sturdiness aspect.

This front porch takes the same approach but uses bricks that are more uniformly shaped and sized. As a result, it gives an appearance that is more geometric and organized and draws less attention to the materials by remaining consistent. This is a good design if you’re looking to simply fill a small space underneath your deck and provide support.

Metal Deck Skirting Ideas

Metal deck skirting is an ideal material that provides protection against weather and the elements, requires low maintenance, and is relatively cheap.

Using a metal lattice achieves the traditional look of a dark lattice, but using a more durable material lasts longer and doesn’t need as much attention. The black of the skirting and railings is also a great contrast to the tan decking material, and the frames separate the lattices nicely.

This house uses corrugated aluminum for a modern design that almost imitates siding. The texture of the metal helps by adding the element of horizontality, which meshes with the home design.

PVC Deck Skirting

For those who live in climates that exhibit a lot of weather and precipitation, something like PVC or vinyl skirting might be a good choice. They are weatherproof, durable, and come in various shapes and colors.

You can also use them to create realistic imitations of wooden lattices. This design has thick borders and panels that center the lattice in a way that balances well with the rest of the deck. So, from a distance, it’d be nearly impossible to tell that you aren’t looking at wood.

Here is another traditional wood design replicated with PVC. The bright white material is an excellent foundation for the dark wood deck and covers the space underneath, even with an access door for the storage space.

Wooden Deck Skirting

Wooden skirting has many applications and is perhaps the most popular skirting material. However, beyond lattice, there are tons of great ways to use wood creatively for deck skirting.

This deck uses horizontal planks of alternating sizes to create a unique skirting pattern. It is also inset from the outer edges of the deck’s surface, showcasing the deck above. Twisting vines help ground this deck’s design with the backyard, making for an inviting entryway.

Another excellent example of balance and creative woodworking, this design also features inset horizontal planks. The deck and its skirting are more of one cohesive structure, as the railing posts extend from the ground and form partitions between the planks. The wire railings help elevate the modern design without taking away from the wood’s beautiful grain.

Using vertical planks with small gaps in between, this deck continues the design style from above in its skirting. The bright red of the wooden skirting plays well with the thick, bright white columns and railings of the deck. It also incorporates stone pillars into its framing, adding to the sturdiness factor of the design.

Composite Deck Skirting Ideas

Composite decking is one of the most popular materials for deck surfaces and skirting. It’s durable, easily maintained and installed, and can be an appealing alternative to the traditional lattice.

This deck skirting idea keeps it simple and precise with right angles from composite decking. Since composite material is much more durable than wood, it might be more expensive up front, but you save time and money in the long run. It will last longer than wood and require less maintenance and upkeep.

This deck skirting follows the vertical design pattern but works differently with the deck’s surface. Combining different shades of brown divided by a wide white board creates a clean, sharp look. The earth tones contrast with the white trim and provide an easy transition from the home to the backyard. The skirting doesn’t draw attention, but it encloses the space underneath the deck.

This deck uses composite skirting subtly, divided by framing from the surface. The darker tones railings pair beautifully in this backyard.

Ideas for Concrete Deck Skirting

Concrete is easily one of the most durable and weatherproofed deck skirting materials. Like stones and bricks, concrete is another element that stands the test of time and fits in with most designs.

At first glance, this design appears to be made from a composite material or wood. The concrete follows the traditional box design of deck skirting but with thin lines that make it look like wood from far away.

For a front porch, concrete can bring a sense of groundedness to a home. This foundation brings unity to the front of the house and gives it a fuller feel by completely blocking out the space underneath.

Skirting is an integral part of a new deck design. It deserves just as much consideration as the rest of the project. With lots of design inspiration just a Google search away, think about your skirting’s purpose and your needs and preferences before scouring the internet for ideas.

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