How to Save Money When Buying plastic floor skirting
Tiny House Skirt: A simple DIY option for under $100
This winter, I’m parking in northern Oregon, where the temperatures range between 20°-40°F. When it came time for me to create a Tiny House skirt,Straw bales are bulky, expensive and weather terribly. Snow is only a temporary skirting option; I used this method last year in Colorado . Canvas skirts are custom made, so they are expensive. Finally, I decided the best choice for my situation was to create a Tiny House skirt using rigid foam.
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My Rigid Foam Tiny House Skirt
I was pleasantly surprised at how cheap and easy it was for me to make a rigid foam skirt for my Tiny House. The cost was $72, and total labor time was 6 hours. Below I’ve listed my materials and step by step process.
Materials List
My Tiny House is on a 20 foot trailer with about 16-22 inches of space between the trailer and the ground. A longer trailer, or one higher off the ground, will require more material.
- 5: Sheets of 1/2″ x 4′ x 8′ Rigid Foam
- 2: Cans of black spray paint
- 1: 60 yard roll of black duct tape
Rigid foam is readily available at hardware stores and online. I was able to save money by purchasing some of my foam sheets at Habitat for Humanity. Sheets at Habitat were $1.50 compared to $12.95 at Home Depot. That’s big savings!
Make sure you purchase the rigid insulation. Floppy insulation cannot withstand a windstorm.
How to create this skirt: Step by Step
Step 1: Spray paint your foam boards. This is a personal preference, but I didn’t like the look of silver foam boards. I painted my boards black to match my trailer. Unfortunately, I didn’t do this before attaching them to my trailer. Do as I say, not as I do!
Step 2: Measure the space between your trailer and the ground. The measurements will vary, so continue to check before every cut. Cutting around the wheels is tricky work, so I decided to skip skirting my wheels because my climate isn’t that cold.
Step 3: Cut the board to size. It was easy to cut my 1/2″ boards using a utility knife and a straight edge. I made sure to cut around vents that need to be exposed.
Step 4: Attach the board to your trailer. Using black duct tape, I attached my boards to my trailer and to each other. I buried the bottom of the boards into the ground, or placed rocks in front of them to secure them in place. Sometimes I put a few nails through the foam into the wood trim around my trailer. Use your best judgement to attach the boards as sturdily as you can. At this point, your Tiny House is skirted! CLICK HERE for advice on winterizing a Tiny House for extremely cold weather
Optional: Add cedar lattice and trim
In order to improve the look, I added cedar lattice and trim in front of my foam skirt. Aside from aesthetics, the lattice does a great job of holding my foam boards in place. Similar to creating the foam skirt, this process entailed measuring and cutting the lattice to size. I used a hand saw and a finish nail gun to attach the lattice and trim around my trailer. As with the foam, I cut around vents and my wheel wells. This additional step cost another $64.
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What will you use for skirting on your Tiny House?
Inexpensive Deck Skirting Ideas (2024)
Having a pleasant deck not only makes you proud of your home but also brings fun to your family and friends. If you consider having or upgrading your deck skirting, you may be wondering about an option that will cut costs a bit without compromising quality.
For starters, you don’t have to go overboard while decorating your deck. Here are some practical ideas to decorate your deck skirting without spending a fortune.
What Is the Purpose of Your Deck Skirting?
Besides improving the appearance of your house, what other considerations do you have in choosing your deck skirting design? Here are some factors that can affect your decision:
- Additional Storage Space
Air circulation is essential if you want to convert the area beneath your deck into a storage shed to avoid your valuables becoming moist and moldy.
- Protection From Pests
Both lattice and aluminum mesh allow plenty of air circulation while ensuring adequate pest control.
- Extra Weather Protection
Using a plastic sheet to line the ground beneath your deck can also reduce dampness.
- Barricade to Keep Animals Away
Installing a wire mesh screen underneath your deck is a great way to maintain unwanted animals away.
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- Pure Aesthetic
Installing deck skirting that matches the design of your exterior house components will make your home more appealing.
Best Inexpensive Deck Skirting Ideas
Wood boards are an easy-to-customize deck skirting option. If you have a narrow deck, putting the planks vertically can make your deck look taller. On the other hand, Installing the planks horizontally will make your deck look wider.
Wood is always a fantastic choice for enhancing the beauty of your home while also providing a vintage feel. You wouldn’t spend too much time in the procurement process since plenty of wooden materials is specially made for deck skirting purposes.
Horizontal columns with different geometry distinguish contemporary deck skirting designs. Concrete, hardwood, and composites are the most widely used materials for deck skirting
Planting a vegetable garden can serve a dual purpose: it can hide the vacant space beneath the deck while also providing you with fruits, veggies, and fresh air. The disadvantage of employing trees, bushes, or vegetation is that it requires frequent maintenance.
Remember to take extra precautions to keep the shrubs free of dead leaves. It will help open up the area and make the deck more apparent in the cold season.
Wooden planks, plywood sheets, and vinyl panels make up the majority of cheap deck skirting options. Rather than large timber boards, narrow board edges can give the deck a more sophisticated appearance. Thin wood supports can accommodate 5 to 6 sheets from a single thick piece of wood. These conventional boards can skirt a small deck with low-cost deck skirting ideas.
A wooden lattice is a prevalent material for deck skirting that you can see around your neighborhood. Although the classic interconnecting design is perhaps the most popular, you can still design your deck distinctive by trying different arrangements, colors, and materials.
PVC or vinyl is better than a wood board in damp environments. They’re highly versatile, weatherproof, and come in various colors. Distinctive patterns such as lattice can be customized to give extra uniqueness to your deck.
Synthetic rock skirting can give your deck a unique look. It’s usually made of intermediate polyethylene or density polyurethane foam resistant to cracking and decay. Even though it is synthetic, they have such a polished appearance, giving your deck a natural atmosphere. This artificial boulder can be used in both vertical and horizontal configurations.
You can replace your deck skirting with composite or vinyl panels. Suppose you want a more long-lasting alternative to wood. In that case, deck skirting materials constructed from composite decking are your best option to save money.
Redbrick is always a great choice if you want your area to be rustic and classy without spending much money. Furthermore, it is a cost-effective option that requires little upkeep. You will get robust deck skirting with this material because it is highly durable.
Look for a leftover fencing material from your yard and use it as a deck skirt for a cheaper deck skirting option. With this, you will get a lot of airflows because the panels are distant from each other. Because air can easily pass through, you’re less likely to develop mold or mildew underneath the deck.
For long-lasting and natural-looking stone deck skirts, try synthetic faux panels. Textured deck skirts made of realistic faux panels are lighter than natural stones. These faux panels are simple to install and suitable for a one-man project. It is not recommended to use natural stones as a deck skirting material since they have a lot of disadvantages, including frequent maintenance and sensitivity to changes in weather.
Pallet deck skirting is another alternative to utilize lumber. They are ideal for houses with a country or barn-style construction. A Pallet deck is simple to set up, and has a low production cost.
The pallet deck provides your area with warmth and an earthy vibe. Install spotlights against the palette for a modern look.
How Much Do Deck Skirting Costs?
Skirting materials range from 0 to more than $30 per square foot. The overall costs of the deck skirting installation depend on your deck’s preference and area.
Your budget is essential in designing your deck skirting. Be cautious to budget for additional supplies and the cost of annual maintenance.
Deck Skirting Maintenance
Here are some things you can do to save more money and extend the life of your deck.
- Cleaning. Depending on the material, a simple spray with a garden hose may suffice. In some cases, scrubbing may be required to remove stubborn dirt.
- Maintenance. Maintaining your deck skirting is essential to extend the lifespan of your deck. Cleaning is required for all deck skirting materials; the difference is how frequently they must be cleaned. For example, to preserve the hardwood from cracking and deteriorating, you’ll need to seal and reapply weather-proofing coats to the deck skirting.
- Ventilation. If you have a wood deck, proper ventilation is essential. The hardwood on top of the deck will dry and contract if there’s not enough air circulation, while the underneath region will stay moist, causing the deck to sag. The result of water damage on your deck is unattractive and costly to repair.
That’s all there is to it! I hope you learned a lot from this blog about low-cost deck skirt options. It’s important to remember that skirting isn’t simply about the fabric you choose and how you cut it. It’s also about your work’s design and quality.
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