Deck Skirting Ideas to Protect and Finish Your Composite Deck
Deck skirting covers the open space between the bottom of your deck and the ground. It hides the substructure, blocks animals from nesting underneath, and gives your deck a clean, finished appearance.
But skirting is not just decorative. The wrong design can trap moisture under your deck, potentially damaging the joists. The right design balances aesthetics, ventilation, and access. This guide covers the best skirting options by material, with cost estimates, installation tips, and ventilation guidance for each.
Table of Contents
Before You Choose: Three Things That Matter Most
Ventilation
This is the most important and most overlooked factor. Your deck’s substructure — joists, beams, and ledger board — needs airflow to stay dry. Trapped moisture causes mold, mildew, and wood rot.
- Solid skirting: Concrete, solid board panels, blocks airflow entirely. If you choose a solid design, you must add ventilation gaps, screened vents, or louvered panels to allow air circulation underneath.
- Open skirting: Lattice, spaced boards, greenery, allows natural airflow. These are the safest choices for deck health, especially in humid climates.
As a general rule, aim for at least 1 square foot of ventilation opening per 150 square feet of deck area.
Access
You may need to reach the space under your deck for plumbing repairs, electrical work, pest inspections, or drainage maintenance. Always include at least one removable panel or hinged access door in your skirting design. Skipping this step means tearing out skirting panels every time you need access.
Ground Clearance
Skirting panels should not sit directly on the ground. Leave a 1-inch gap at the bottom to prevent the material from wicking moisture up from the soil. For wood and composite skirting, this gap also discourages insect entry points where material meets dirt.
Deck Skirting Materials Compared
| Material | Cost per Linear Foot | DIY Difficulty | Lifespan | Ventilation | Maintenance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wood lattice | $2–$5 | Easy | 5–10 years | Excellent (open) | High (stain/seal annually) |
| Solid wood boards | $4–$8 | Moderate | 10–15 years | Poor (needs vents) | High (stain/seal annually) |
| Composite boards | $6–$12 | Moderate | 25–30 years | Varies by design | Very low |
| PVC lattice/panels | $4–$8 | Easy | 20–25 years | Good (lattice) to poor (solid) | Low |
| Corrugated metal | $3–$7 | Moderate | 30+ years | Poor (needs vents) | Low |
| Stone or concrete | $15–$30+ | Hard (pro recommended) | 50+ years | Poor (needs vents) | Very low |
Noted: Costs are for materials only and vary by region. Installation labor adds $5–$15 per linear foot.
7 Deck Skirting Ideas
Lattice Skirting
Lattice is the most popular and affordable skirting option. The open grid layout, square or diamond, allows for good airflow while concealing the substructure. It also lets light reach the ground underneath, which helps keep the area dry.
Wood lattice costs $2 to $5 per linear foot but needs annual staining or sealing. PVC lattice costs slightly more but requires no maintenance and will not rot. For a more refined look, choose lattice with smaller openings and paint it to match your deck color.
Best for: Budget-friendly projects, humid climates, decks where ventilation is a priority.
Horizontal Board Skirting
Horizontal boards create a clean, contemporary look. You can install them with small gaps (1/4 to 1/2 inch) between boards to allow airflow while still blocking the view underneath. The horizontal lines visually widen the deck and complement modern home designs.
This style works well with wood, composite, or PVC boards. If you use composite boards that match your decking, the result is a seamless, unified appearance.
Best for: Modern and contemporary homes, homeowners who want a sleek, linear aesthetic.
Vertical Board Skirting
Vertical boards give a traditional, fence-like appearance. This style suits classic home designs and works especially well on uneven ground — you can trim each board individually to follow the slope.
Leave small gaps between boards for ventilation, or install a screened vent panel every 8 to 10 feet for airflow in solid installations.
Best for: Traditional homes, sloped terrain, rustic or farmhouse aesthetics.
Composite Skirting
Composite skirting uses the same material as your composite deck boards. This creates a perfectly matched finish. Composite resists rot, insects, moisture, and fading — making it the most durable board-style skirting option available.
You can install composite boards horizontally or vertically, depending on the look you want. EVODEK composite cladding panels work particularly well as deck skirting. They are designed for exterior wall applications and provide a clean, uniform finish that matches EVODEK decking in color and texture. EVODEK screen panels are another option — they offer a slatted design that adds privacy while maintaining airflow underneath.
Best for: Homeowners who want skirting that lasts as long as their composite deck with zero maintenance.
Metal Skirting
Corrugated metal or flat metal panels create a bold, industrial look. Galvanized steel and aluminum are both weather-resistant and low-maintenance. Metal skirting is relatively affordable ($3 to $7 per linear foot) and installs quickly with screws.
The main drawback is that solid metal blocks airflow completely. Add screened ventilation openings or leave a gap at the top and bottom of each panel section. Metal can also get hot in direct sunlight and may dent from impact.
Best for: Modern industrial or farmhouse styles, budget-conscious projects, and low-maintenance requirements.
Stone, Brick, or Concrete Skirting
Masonry skirting is the most durable option. It provides a solid, permanent base that makes the deck look like a natural extension of the house foundation. Stone veneer panels offer the same look at a lower cost and weight than full masonry.
This is the most expensive option and usually requires professional installation. Ventilation is critical — solid masonry traps all airflow. Include screened vents at regular intervals.
Best suited for: High-end homes, permanent installations, and homeowners seeking maximum durability and a substantial appearance.
Greenery and Planting
Shrubs, ornamental grasses, and climbing plants can serve as natural skirting. This approach blends the deck into the surrounding landscape. It provides excellent ventilation since plants do not create an airtight barrier.
Popular choices include boxwood hedges (for a formal look), ornamental grasses (for a relaxed feel), and climbing hydrangeas or jasmine trained on a simple wire trellis.
The drawback is that plants take time to grow and require ongoing care — watering, pruning, and seasonal replacement. Greenery also works best combined with another skirting type. Use lattice or spaced boards behind the plants for immediate coverage while the greenery fills in.
Best for: Naturalistic landscapes, gardeners, decks where blending into the yard is the priority.
Basic Installation Tips
Regardless of which material you choose, these steps apply to most skirting projects.
Build a support frame. Most skirting panels need a simple frame to attach to. Install pressure-treated 2×4 lumber horizontally along the bottom of the deck frame and vertically at 4-foot intervals. This gives you a solid nailing surface for any panel material.
Leave a bottom gap. Keep skirting panels 1 inch above the ground. This prevents moisture wicking and allows water to drain freely.
Include access points. Plan at least one removable or hinged panel section for maintenance access. Place it near plumbing connections, electrical junctions, or any other location where you may need to inspect the substructure.
Add ventilation if using solid panels. Install screened vent panels at least every 8 feet. Position vents on opposite sides of the deck to create cross-ventilation.
FAQ
How much does deck skirting cost?
Total cost depends on the material. Lattice is the cheapest at $2 to $5 per linear foot for materials. Composite runs $6 to $12 per linear foot. Stone or concrete veneer is the most expensive at $15 to $30+ per linear foot. Add $5 to $15 per linear foot for professional installation if you are not doing it yourself.
Does deck skirting need ventilation?
Yes. Trapped moisture under a deck promotes mold, mildew, and wood rot in the substructure. Open designs like lattice provide natural ventilation. Solid skirting materials (metal, concrete, solid boards) require screened vents or gaps to allow airflow.
What is the cheapest deck skirting option?
Wood lattice panels are the most affordable, typically $2 to $5 per linear foot. They are also the easiest to install. However, wood lattice requires annual maintenance (staining or sealing) and has a shorter lifespan than composite or PVC alternatives.
Can I use composite cladding as deck skirting?
Yes. Composite cladding panels are designed for exterior applications and work well as deck skirting. They match composite decking in color and texture, resist moisture and insects, and require no painting or sealing. EVODEK cladding is specifically engineered for this type of exterior use.
Should deck skirting touch the ground?
No. Leave a 1-inch gap between the bottom of the skirting and the ground. Direct ground contact causes moisture wicking, encourages insect entry, and can accelerate material degradation — especially for wood and untreated composite.
How do I keep animals out from under my deck with skirting?
Lattice with small openings (under 1 inch) blocks most animals while maintaining airflow. For solid skirting, add hardware cloth (1/4-inch or 1/2-inch galvanized mesh) behind any ventilation openings. Bury the bottom edge of the mesh 4 to 6 inches underground to prevent animals from digging beneath it.
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