16 Cheap Deck Skirting Ideas (That Look Good!) + Budget Mobile Home Skirting Tips

16 Cheap Deck Skirting Ideas (That Look Good!) + Budget Mobile Home Skirting Tips

Welcome, Skirt-Savvy Friend!

Whether you’re sprucing up the space under your backyard deck or giving your mobile home a fresh facelift, skirting is the secret weapon that instantly tidies up your exterior. It hides structural supports, keeps critters out, and adds serious curb appeal.

The best part? You don’t have to spend a fortune. These 16 budget-friendly deck and mobile home skirting ideas prove you can get big style on a small budget. Let's dive in and find the perfect look for your space!

1. Lattice Panels

Classic charm meets ventilation.
Lattice is one of the most popular—and affordable—options out there. Buy ready-made vinyl or wood lattice panels from your local hardware store. Cut to size, frame it in with 1x4s for a polished look, and attach it to the underside of your deck or home.

Actionable Tips:

• Paint or stain lattice to match your deck or trim

• Use hardware cloth behind it to prevent pests

• Add a gate for access underneath

Picture This:
A white lattice skirt surrounds a cedar deck, with blooming hydrangeas in front and a small access door hidden seamlessly within the panels.

2. Vertical Wood Slats

A modern touch using scrap wood.
Cut inexpensive pine or cedar boards into vertical strips and evenly space them around the base. This simple design creates a modern farmhouse vibe and lets air flow freely.

Actionable Tips:

• Use wood from pallets or leftover fencing

• Stain or char for a weathered look

• Combine narrow and wide slats for dimension

Picture This:
A deck framed in evenly spaced vertical wooden slats, stained a deep walnut, with cozy café lights above and ferns cascading over the railing.

3. Corrugated Metal Panels

Rustic meets industrial.
Corrugated roofing panels offer a super affordable and durable option. Install horizontally or vertically under your deck or trailer for a modern rustic look.

Actionable Tips:

• Mix with wood trim for a finished frame

• Use galvanized for silver or paint for a custom color

• Secure tightly to prevent rattling in wind

Picture This:
A tiny home skirted with corrugated metal, framed in reclaimed wood, with planters lining the base for a rugged-chic finish.

4. Painted Plywood

Budget-friendly with endless style options.
Plywood is inexpensive and easy to paint. Attach it like paneling around the base of your structure and paint with exterior-grade paint to match or accent.

Actionable Tips:

• Add trim boards to hide seams

• Use stencils for decorative patterns

• Caulk edges for a clean, weather-tight look

Picture This:
A mobile home skirting of smooth white plywood panels, adorned with painted vine stencils and lanterns hung nearby for charm.

5. Faux Stone Panels

Get the look of real stone—without the price.
Faux stone skirting panels click or screw into place and instantly elevate your home’s exterior. While a little pricier upfront, they’re still cheaper than real masonry.

Actionable Tips:

• Shop overstock or remnants for discounts

• Use adhesive and screws for lasting hold

• Combine with real stone edging for realism

Picture This:
A cozy mobile home with charcoal faux stone skirting, surrounded by mulch and hostas, and a rocking chair on the front stoop.

6. Cinder Blocks

Simple and super durable.
Cinder blocks are strong, affordable, and customizable. Stack them beneath your deck or mobile home and paint or cover with stucco for a smoother finish.

Actionable Tips:

• Paint with exterior latex paint for color

• Fill holes with soil and flowers for charm

• Use mortar if needed for stability

Picture This:
A neutral-toned home with cinder block skirting painted sage green, each block’s hole filled with trailing petunias.

7. Recycled Pallets

Rustic charm for free.
Break down free pallets into slats and use them as deck skirting. They create a rustic, weathered look that pairs beautifully with farmhouse and boho styles.

Actionable Tips:

• Sand for safety and stain for color

• Mix board lengths for a patchwork effect

• Add hooks for hanging lanterns or plants

Picture This:
A backyard deck wrapped in warm-toned pallet slats, twinkle lights above, and a vintage lantern swinging from a corner hook.

8. Brick Veneer Panels

Classic style without heavy lifting.
Brick veneer panels offer a brick look without the weight or cost. Most come in easy-to-install sheets, perfect for skirting.

Actionable Tips:

• Install over plywood backing

• Caulk seams and corners for clean edges

• Choose weathered brick for character

Picture This:
A red-brick skirting wraps around a sunny yellow mobile home, with green shutters and terracotta pots along the foundation.

9. Fabric Outdoor Skirt

Fast, flexible, and affordable.
Weather-resistant fabric, like canvas or shade cloth, can be stapled or tacked under your deck for quick skirting.

Actionable Tips:

• Choose UV-rated fabric for longevity

• Add grommets and bungee ties for easy removal

• Pair with potted plants for softness

Picture This:
A linen-colored canvas skirt flows under a raised deck, framed by potted palms and a striped patio rug nearby.

10. Vinyl Panels

Low-maintenance and moisture-resistant.
Vinyl skirting is made to last and available in various textures—wood-look, smooth, or vented. It’s great for mobile homes and sheds.

Actionable Tips:

• Use matching trim pieces for a finished look

• Include vented panels for airflow

• Power wash occasionally to keep clean

Picture This:
Cream vinyl panels line a trailer’s base, surrounded by manicured mulch beds and solar lights lining the path.

11. Stone Gravel Border

A no-panel option with charm.
Instead of panels, use stone gravel as a clean base border under your deck. It’s simple, drainage-friendly, and pretty.

Actionable Tips:

• Dig a shallow trench and line with weed fabric

• Choose mixed-size or color gravel for texture

• Add a few ornamental grasses or lights

Picture This:
Smooth gray stones form a tidy border under a wooden deck, dotted with solar lanterns and small potted cacti.

12. Trellis Skirt with Climbing Vines

Natural beauty that grows with time.
Add wooden trellis panels and plant climbing vines like clematis or ivy. Over time, it becomes a lush green screen.

Actionable Tips:

• Choose a fast-growing, low-maintenance vine

• Space trellises a few inches from the wall for growth

• Add a drip line to keep plants hydrated

Picture This:
Trellis panels covered in blooming clematis frame a cottage-style deck with ivy curling up toward a rattan bench above.

13. Crisscross Fencing

Charming and cottagecore.
Use diagonal fencing to create a vintage farmhouse look. Affordable fencing panels can be cut and fitted under decks or trailers.

Actionable Tips:

• Stain in white, cedar, or charcoal

• Frame with 2x4s for structure

• Use rust-resistant nails or screws

Picture This:
White crisscross fencing below a raised porch, flanked by geranium-filled window boxes and wicker chairs above.

14. Gabion Skirting

Heavy-duty and totally unique.
Gabions are wire cages filled with rocks. Usually used for landscaping, they can be adapted as super-strong deck or trailer skirts.

Actionable Tips:

• Use galvanized steel cages

• Fill with river rocks, recycled bricks, or shells

• Add LED lights for nighttime glow

Picture This:
Gabion panels filled with smooth white stones frame a deck, glowing at night with hidden uplighting along each section.

15. Mixed Material Panels

Blend styles for something custom.
Mix lattice with metal, wood with brick, or trellis with vinyl to make a skirting style all your own.

Actionable Tips:

• Use recycled or leftover materials

• Keep lines symmetrical for visual balance

• Frame each section to tie it together

Picture This:
A deck skirt mixing black steel mesh, cedar trim, and light stone veneer in an intentional, modern layout with plants tucked between.

16. Planter Box Skirt

Functional and beautiful.
Build planter boxes that double as skirting. Not only do they hide the underside, but they give you space to grow herbs, flowers, or veggies.

Actionable Tips:

• Use cedar or pressure-treated wood

• Include drainage holes and landscape fabric lining

• Alternate tall and trailing plants for interest

Picture This:
Cedar planter boxes overflowing with lavender and petunias skirt the base of a deck, blending nature with design.

Final Thoughts: Budget Skirting, Big Style

Who knew skirting could be so stylish—and cheap? Whether you’re working with a backyard deck or a mobile home, these ideas give you the flexibility to beautify your space without breaking the bank. Bonus: many of these are DIY-friendly and super customizable.