Without deck skirting your backyard may not be entirely done. No matter what lighting features you add, which paints and textures you use, how many new pieces of furniture you use, it’s going to keep feeling unfinished. Medium-rare. Half-baked. Deck skirting hides the ugly, keeps critters from setting up camp under your home, and brings the entire space together. The good news is that skirting doesn’t need to drain your bank account because here are a couple of inexpensive deck skirting ideas just waiting for you to notice them.
1. Vinyl Lattice Panels
Lattice will always be the most popular deck skirting option. Vinyl lattice panels are affordable, surprisingly durable, and also very easy to install. They come in a range of sizes and patterns, which means you can easily cover the underside of your deck in a style that you’ll like. One of the benefits that puts vinyl lattice panels right at the top of the list of the best inexpensive deck skirting ideas is air circulation. Unlike closed skirting options, the lattice pattern allows air to circulate, which means it resists rot and moisture. You can paint it to match your home and it’s very easy to hose down once it gets dirty.
2. Pallet Wood Skirting
Wooden pallets are incredibly versatile. You can use them for anything from decking to indoor/outdoor furniture, but that’s not even the best part. Pallets can often be sourced for incredibly cheap, or get this… for free! They’re made to move large batches of products with a forklift (mostly for shipping on and off trucks and ships) and many companies simply dispose of them when they’re done. If you can find one of these companies, you’ll be hitting the jackpot because your deck skirting is going to cost nothing. Dismantle some old pallets into planks and sand them smooth before arranging them into panels that fit your deck perimeter. The wood slats can be installed tightly together for full coverage or you can space them to look like a picket fence for ventilation. Remember to seal the boards with exterior stain or a good quality paint to extend their lifespan and keep splinters away.
3. Corrugated Metal Sheets
Corrugated panels are lightweight yet durable, simple yet customizable, affordable yet powerful. Attach a couple of corrugated metal sheets to wooden frames to hide the underside of your deck while giving your house an industrial edge. If you install them vertically, you’ll emphasize the height of the sheets and your deck, while horizontal feels more modern. Galvanized finishes resist rust, they’re very easy to hose down, and the reflective surface brightens shaded areas. However, if you’re not into the industrial look, you can always paint your sheets to add some personality and to allow your gravel beds and minimalist landscaping to shine.
4. Recycled Fence Boards
Just like pallet wood, fence boards can be recycled to work as an effective deck skirting solution with character. Source a couple of old cedar or pine planks from demolition sites, salvage yards, or even friends that are replacing their wooden fences. The most time consuming task is going to be finding the boards because once you’ve got them it’s as easy as trimming, sanding, and installing. You can place them either vertically or horizontally, depending on the height and width of your deck and the boards you’re working with. Of course, mixing different widths is going to add texture to the look, especially if you leave them weathered.
5. Outdoor Fabric Panels
Those thick canvas fabric panels that you’ll find in typical glamping setups aren’t cheap. But there are many other outdoor fabrics that are budget-friendly and durable enough to cover your deck in style. Think cabana style. Use some weather resistant budget canvas or shade cloth and stretch it between posts with grommets, hooks, or tension rods. You can even use a shade sail that you don’t have a use for anymore. Outdoor fabric panels allow airflow, they can be rolled up or removed for cleaning, and they make the space feel relaxed.
6. Wire Mesh With Climbing Plants
It doesn’t get any cheaper than wire mesh skirting. Wire mesh won’t do much as a skirting option by itself because it’s going to be invisible from a distance. But if you add some climbing plants to the mix, you get an intentional and organic living wall that blends into the landscape. Use galvanized mesh panels attached to frames and plant sweet potato vine, ivy, clematis, or jasmine nearby. These plants are all fast growers, which is ideal because you don’t want your skirting to be just mesh for months. Wire mesh with climbing plants provide structure while allowing proper airflow, and they look pretty while doing it.
7. Trellis With Vines
Trellis panels do the same job as lattice panels, but they provide more airflow and customization. And they’ve got the ability to add romance to a space that other types of skirting can’t match. Not to mention the life added to your yard once the bees and other pollinators realize what you’ve done. Use wood or vinyl trellises beneath your deck to create a sturdy frame for the most beautiful flowers. Plant roses, honeysuckle, or morning glory nearby for fragrance and seasonal color that also conceals the unsightly under deck area. You can also stick to plain greenery or even grow some climbing veggies on your trellises. If you choose fast growing plants, your inexpensive skirting will be done in no time.
8. Stone Skirting Or Gabion Wall
Gabion walls as deck skirting? Absolutely! Create a sturdy wire cage in the space where you want to add the skirting. You can build it underneath the deck or slightly in front of it to make it easier to fill with rocks, bricks, or concrete rubble. The rocks allow water drainage and airflow and the wire cage keeps everything in place. You can also save even more money and stack the natural stones without the cage. If you use locally sourced rocks or leftover construction materials, you’ll save a large amount of money without sacrificing strength and durability.
9. Decorative Concrete Blocks
Concrete blocks sound as expensive as they are durable, but they’re actually pretty affordable. In contrast to regular solid concrete blocks, decorative blocks feature geometric cutouts that allow air and light to pass through, casting interesting shadows beneath your deck. The blocks are incredibly durable and they can withstand weather conditions over years that many other inexpensive deck skirting ideas would struggle with. You can paint them white or charcoal for a modern appeal, or leave them bare for a natural look. The beauty of this option is that the look gets better over time as the concrete gets worn, unlike other materials that have to be replaced as soon as the beauty fades.
