Whether you have a shed or considering adding one to your property, maintaining it is crucial. And one way to care for it is to install shed skirting.
Shed skirting is the process of installing a material around the shed’s base to protect it against pests and critters from penetrating while providing proper ventilation, preventing moisture build-up, and enhancing the overall look of your shed’s exterior.
When deciding which shed skirting option is right for your house, it’s essential to consider the different factors, such as the cost, pros and cons, types, and where it’s best used.
Become more informed by reading our comprehensive guide to know the different shed skirting options and their benefits and cons.
What Is Shed Skirting?
Shed skirting is installing a facade material around the bottom part of the shed’s exterior, also known as the shed’s base or foundation, covering the ground, shed crawl space, and the gap between the shed floor.
Shed skirting is considered preventive maintenance that serves as a protective barrier against critters and pests, such as squirrels, mice, and gophers that may sneak under the shed. It’s also installed to help maintain ventilation and prevent mold build-up under sheds. In addition, shed skirting also helps enhance the overall aesthetic appeal of the house.
It is available in various materials, such as lattice, bricks, stones, vinyl, concrete or cinder blocks, gravel, pressure-treated lumber boards, chicken wire, faux stone, and DuraSkirt panels.
What To Keep In Mind When Choosing Shed Skirting
- Installation Difficulty
It is crucial to consider the difficulty level of the installation process when choosing a shed skirting option. In general, shed skirting is not challenging to install, although you need to follow specific guidelines to ensure a proper and effective installation.
The difficulty level may depend on the material you’re going to use. It usually entails correctly placing the chosen material and securing it, which can be labor-intensive. Keep in mind to do additional research if you’re going to do it independently or hire a professional to get it right.
- Aesthetics
Shed skirting can aesthetically enhance your shed’s appearance while matching your house’s exterior. Of course, choosing the shed skirting is a matter of personal preference, but it’s also essential to consider which one is the suitable option for your needs.
It’s best to consider which shed skirting option complements your house’s overall exterior appearance and enhances your house’s curb appeal. Choose the materials you know will match your house’s exterior color scheme while making it stand out.
- Environmental Elements
Environmental elements, such as air, water, soil, climate, landforms, temperature, sound, light, and parasites, play a crucial role in impacting a person’s everyday living.
Hence, it’s important to keep in mind the environmental elements when choosing suitable shed skirting. They can significantly affect the performance and durability of the shed skirting materials used and the house itself. In addition, various materials may respond or behave differently, so it’s essential to do additional research on which option suits you better, depending on your location.
- Cost
Another important factor to take into account is the total cost of shed skirting installation. This includes the price of materials used, labor fees, and installation costs when done by professionals. The cost may also vary, depending on the location, size of the house, and materials used.
If you want a more cost-effective option and have a tight budget, choosing low-cost shed skirting materials would be best. On the other hand, choosing expensive options may provide high-quality material performance.
- Durability
Durability is also one of the most important factors to consider when choosing the shed skirting option for your house since shed skirting serves as a protective barrier against pests. It also helps provide ventilation and safe shed storage, which are essential to any home. Different materials offer distinct durability levels, so choosing which one suits your need and preference is best.
Shed Skirting Options (Rated)
1. Lattice Shed Skirting
Best for: For sheds in dry to mild climate zones with high humidity
Cost: $2 per square foot
Lattice remains one of the most popular shed skirting options used by homeowners. It comes in different styles: open weave, criss cross, horizontal, square hatch, and spindle design. Also, this type of shed skirting can be made from vinyl or treated wood.
Lattice shed skirting has its popular grid pattern that blends well with any architectural form. In addition, it’s durable, easy to install, and inexpensive. It also provides ventilation, making it a good choice for skirting your shed.
Benefits
- It provides proper ventilation and allows ample natural light to shine through due to the numerous holes.
- The latticework design allows airflows, which prevents moisture build-up and mold growth.
- It offer privacy and security to the shed’s base.
- It is durable and can last for years.
- It’s easy to install.
- It’s much more inexpensive than other shed skirting options.
Keep in Mind
- It requires regular maintenance and upkeep.
- Numerous holes can allow smaller pests like rodents to penetrate.
- It will deteriorate or rot and animals may chew on it.
Overall rating: 8 / 10
2. Concrete Block Shed Skirting
Best for: Sheds in temperate regions
Cost: $1 and $4 each concrete block
Concrete block shed skirting, also known as landscape block, is the most durable and resilient shed skirting choice, as it doesn’t deteriorate or rot. It can withstand harsh weather conditions, lasting for many years without regular repair and replacement. In addition, it can securely fill the gap under the shed.
Benefits
- It’s durable, reliable, and doesn’t deteriorate or rot.
- It can withstand any type of weather conditions, even harsh ones.
- It securely fills the gap between the shed floor.
Keep in Mind
- It’s difficult to install, often labor-intensive.
- It’s more expensive than other shed skirting options.
- It hinders airflow, causing mold growth and moisture build-up.
- It’s not a good insulator.
Overall rating: 7 / 10
3. Brick Shed Skirting
Best for: Sheds in continental climate zones with low humidity
Cost: $2 to $6.25 per square foot
Brick shed skirting is one of the most preferred options by many homeowners because of its classic and finished structure appearance. In addition, it provides similar benefits to concrete block shed skirting, such as durability and long-lasting. Bricks also don’t restrict airflow, preventing moisture build-up and mold growth.
Benefits
- It’s durable, resilient, and long-lasting.
- It complements well with a house with a brick foundation.
- It’s weather and age-proof, able to withstand harshest weather conditions.
- It doesn’t hinder airflow, allowing the option to build vents.
- It provides insulation, privacy, and security.
- It’s heat or fire-resistant.
Keep in Mind
- The installation requires skilled labor and a labor-intensive process.
- It’s expensive.
Overall rating: 9 / 10
4. Wooden Shed Skirting
Best for: Sheds in dry, mild, or temperate climate
Cost: $3 to $30 per square foot
Wooden Shed Skirting comes in various types, including shiplap, planks, and even pressure-treated lumbers. Using this type helps enhance the aesthetic appeal of the house. It also provides enough privacy and protection against pests. In addition, using pressure-treated lumber protects against moisture damage.
Benefits
- It’s sustainable and eco-friendly.
- It enhances aesthetic appeal.
- It’s cheaper than other shed skirting options.
- Using pressure-treated lumber reduces moisture damage.
Keep in Mind
- It’s not waterproof, deteriorating when it comes in contact with soil and water.
- It’s prone to damage and cracks, especially when impacted.
- It’s susceptible to fire and mold growth.
- It needs regular maintenance and repairs.
Overall rating: 6 / 10
5. Chicken Wire Shed Skirting
Best for: Sheds in tropical to temperate climate zones
Cost: $2 and $4.50 per linear foot
Chicken wire, also known as poultry or hex netting, is a steel wire mesh made from flexible galvanized or PVC coated steel with hexagonal openings or gaps. It’s commonly used for fencing chickens in a coop or a run.
Using chicken for shed skirting is a good choice because it’s relatively cheap, especially if you’re on a tight budget, and easy to install. In addition, it protects the shed’s base against pests and critters while providing adequate ventilation.
Benefits
- It protects and hinders critters and small animals from entering the gap due to its small mesh.
- It provides plenty of ventilation, inhibiting mold growth.
- It’s easy to install.
- It’s one of the most inexpensive shed skirting options.
Keep in Mind
- It’s not as aesthetically appealing as the other shed skirting options.
Overall rating: 9 / 10
6. Gravel Shed Skirting
Best for: Sheds in dry to mild climate zones with low humidity
Cost: $1 to $3 per square foot
Gravel shed skirting uses a loose aggregation of small, variously sized rock fragments. This type is one of the most affordable options and easiest to install as it doesn’t need skilled labor. It’s not labor-intensive as it doesn’t require fastening, measuring, or cutting, simply laying a thick bed of gravel surrounding the shed’s base.
Benefits
- It’s inexpensive.
- It’s easy to install, does not require skilled labor, and the process is not labor-intensive.
Keep in Mind
- It’s only best used in smaller shed gaps, as it requires additional landscape timber for larger gaps.
- It may erode when in contact with heavy, running water.
Overall rating: 7 / 10
7. Faux Stone Shed Skirting
Best for: Sheds in Mediterranean climate zones
Cost: $5 to $10 per square foot
Faux stone shed skirting is made from Portland cement, aggregate materials, and iron oxide pigments for coloration, designed to resemble natural stone. It’s a good shed skirting choice because it’s excellent for adding visual interest. In addition, it’s durable, impact-resistant, and waterproof.
Benefits
- It’s durable, impact-resistant, and waterproof.
- It comes in various colors and designs, enhancing visual appeal.
- It keeps the pests and critters from the shed base.
Keep in Mind
- It’s relatively expensive.
- It’s susceptible to fading and wearing.
Overall rating: 8 / 10
What’s The Cheapest Shed Skirting Option?
The cheapest shed skirting option is gravel, ranging from $1 to $3 per square foot. This type of shed skirting doesn’t need any materials aside from the small rocks. It won’t also require skilled labor, and the process isn’t labor-intensive, as it only needs to lay a thick base of gravel around the shed gap.
This easy-to-install process allows anyone to do it themselves, reducing installation and labor fees.
What’s The Most Durable Shed Skirting Option?
Brick shed skirting is the most durable, resilient, and long-lasting shed skirting option. Aside from being age-proof, it can withstand even the harshest weather conditions and is resistant to fire or heat, frost, and moisture.
In addition, brick shed skirting doesn’t easily crack, expand, or shrink when the temperature changes. It also doesn’t need regular maintenance and repairs.
