Deck Skirting Guide

Skirting is the material that closes in the space between the bottom of your deck and the ground. Done well, it makes a raised deck look finished and intentional, keeps critters from nesting underneath, and can hide storage — all without choking off the airflow the framing needs. We’ve inspected hundreds of decks across Hampton Roads, and skirting is one of those details that is either a clean finishing touch or a moisture trap, depending on how it is built. This guide explains how we approach it.

How We Install Deck Skirting, Step by Step

1. Decide the look and the job. First we settle what the skirting needs to do — just hide the framing, exclude animals, create hidden storage, or all three — because that drives the material.
2. Balance it with ventilation. The space under a deck has to breathe. We design open area or vents into the skirting so it never becomes a sealed, damp box — see our ventilation guide.
3. Frame a sub-structure. We add a light frame to attach the skirting to, holding it plumb and, importantly, up off the soil.
4. Choose the material. Lattice for economy and airflow, solid composite or vinyl panels for a cleaner modern look, or masonry veneer for a high-end base — matched to the deck above.
5. Install with airflow and a ground gap. Panels are set with built-in venting and a gap at the bottom so they do not sit in wet ground.
6. Build in an access panel. A removable or hinged section gives you into the under-deck space for storage, utilities, and inspection — we never fully seal it off.
7. Add a critter barrier. Where animals are a concern, we add a buried or grade-level barrier so nothing burrows in behind the skirting.

What We Commonly Find

The biggest mistake we see is skirting installed like a tight seal — solid panels all the way to the dirt with no vents and no access. It looks fine for a season, then the trapped humidity goes to work on the framing and you cannot even get under there to see it. One thing homeowners don’t realize is that skirting and ventilation are a package deal; you can absolutely enclose the look while keeping the air moving. After years of building in coastal Virginia, we’ve learned that anything touching the soil here stays wet, so we hold skirting up off the ground and keep it serviceable.

Skirting also pairs with the rest of the lower-level finish. With good drainage and a little lighting, skirting can turn the base of a raised deck into clean, dry, usable space rather than a dark gap.

Choosing a Skirting Material

Lattice is the classic, budget-friendly choice and breathes naturally, but wood lattice needs upkeep in our humidity — vinyl lattice lasts longer. Solid composite or PVC panels give a contemporary, low-maintenance look and can be vented discreetly. Board-and-batten or horizontal-slat skirting matches a more architectural deck. Stone or brick veneer is the premium option for a deck that reads like part of the house. Whatever the material, the same two rules apply: keep it off the soil and let air move.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does deck skirting need ventilation?

Yes. The space under a deck must breathe, so skirting needs built-in open area or vents. Sealing it tightly traps moisture against the framing and invites rot.

What is the best material for deck skirting?

It depends on budget and look: vinyl or composite panels for low maintenance, lattice for economy and airflow, or masonry veneer for a premium base. All should be kept off the ground.

Will skirting keep animals out from under my deck?

It helps a great deal, especially with a grade-level critter barrier. Skirting alone with gaps at the bottom may still let determined animals in, so the barrier detail matters.

Should deck skirting touch the ground?

No. Skirting should stop short of the soil with a small gap so it does not wick moisture and rot, and so airflow and drainage continue.

Can I store things under a skirted deck?

Yes, and a built-in access panel makes that practical. With drainage and skirting done right, the under-deck area can be dry, usable storage.

A Coastal and Flood-Zone Note

Close to the water, skirting deserves an extra moment of thought. Parts of Hampton Roads sit in mapped flood zones, and enclosing the space beneath an elevated structure can come with its own rules — sometimes requiring breakaway panels or flood vents so rising water can pass through instead of pushing against a solid wall. Even where flood rules do not apply, our humidity and wind-driven rain mean any enclosed under-deck space needs generous airflow and a clear drainage path, or it becomes the dampest spot on the property. We design skirting near the coast to shed and pass water rather than dam it, keep every material up off the wet ground, and leave easy access so the framing can be checked after big storms. If your deck is in a low-lying or waterfront area, confirm the local flood-zone requirements with your building department before enclosing underneath — it is a quick conversation that prevents an expensive misstep.