Key Takeaways:
- Deck skirting hides the underside of your deck — joists, posts, and stored items
- Material costs: $2–$15 per sq ft depending on material (lattice cheapest, composite most expensive)
- Must include ventilation openings to prevent moisture buildup under the deck
- Acts as a pest barrier — keeps raccoons, skunks, and rodents out
- Available in lattice, solid panel, horizontal board, and vertical board styles
What Is Deck Skirting?
Deck skirting (also called deck apron or underpinning) is the material that covers the gap between the deck surface and the ground. On any raised deck, this gap exposes the substructure — joists, beams, cross-bracing, and stored items — creating an eyesore and an invitation for animals.
Good skirting solves three problems: aesthetics (clean finished look), pest control (blocks animal entry), and storage concealment (hides bins, garden tools, kayaks stored under the deck).
Skirting Materials
Lattice — $2–$5 per sq ft
The most common and affordable option. Vinyl lattice ($2–$3/sq ft) requires zero maintenance. Wood lattice ($3–$5/sq ft) can be stained to match your deck but rots in 5–8 years without treatment.
- Diamond pattern (traditional) or square pattern (modern)
- Available at Home Depot, Lowe's, Rona in 4×8 panels
- Easy DIY installation — attach to a 2×4 frame with screws
Composite Skirting — $8–$15 per sq ft
Match your composite deck boards with matching skirting from the same brand. Trex Fascia and TimberTech Fascia boards create a seamless look.
- Horizontal or vertical board patterns
- Zero maintenance — same durability as composite decking
- Colour-matched to popular decking colours
Horizontal Board — $5–$10 per sq ft
Modern aesthetic using horizontal boards (PT wood, cedar, or composite). Creates a contemporary look especially popular in urban settings.
Metal Corrugated Panels — $4–$8 per sq ft
Galvanized or painted corrugated steel panels. Industrial/farmhouse aesthetic. Excellent durability and pest-proof. Popular for cottage decks.
Ventilation Requirements
Critical: deck skirting must include ventilation. Trapping moisture under a deck accelerates rot in the substructure and can cause mould growth.
- Minimum ventilation: 1 sq ft of opening per 150 sq ft of under-deck area
- Options: lattice (inherently ventilated), solid panels with vent strips, removable access panels
- In humid climates, increase ventilation or use lattice exclusively
Installation Guide
- Build a frame — 2×4 pressure-treated frame attached to the deck rim joist and a bottom plate
- Attach skirting material — screw panels to the frame
- Include an access panel — at least one removable section for under-deck access (storage, plumbing, etc.)
- Grade the ground — slope soil away from the house under the deck to prevent water pooling
- Optional: install landscape fabric under the deck to suppress weeds
Cost for a 300 sq ft Deck
Typical skirting perimeter: approximately 50–60 linear feet, with an average exposed height of 2–3 feet = 100–180 sq ft of skirting material.
| Material | Cost Range | Total (150 sq ft) |
|---|---|---|
| Vinyl lattice | $2–$3/sq ft | $300–$450 |
| Wood lattice | $3–$5/sq ft | $450–$750 |
| Composite fascia | $8–$15/sq ft | $1,200–$2,250 |
| Horizontal board (PT) | $5–$8/sq ft | $750–$1,200 |
| Metal corrugated | $4–$8/sq ft | $600–$1,200 |
