Finally, you have built your shed, and the yard’s look has changed. But still, the gap between the bottom of the shed and the ground gives an ugly look. Get ready to learn ideas on what to put around bottom of shed.
The space between the bottom frame and the ground can be a home for pests and rodents. And once these animals, especially mice, smell some grains or dog food in the shed, they try hard to get inside.
Skirting will prevent the animals from getting in and give your shed an aesthetic look. However, you should note that there are factors that affect skirting. Examples are the type of material used and the size of the shed.
As such, you need to do proper budgeting based on the material you intend to use and the size of your shed. And in the end, you will have achieved your goal.
So, what to put around bottom of the shed? Read on! We have amazing ideas for you.
Contents
- What to Put Around Bottom of Shed
- 1. Treated plywood
- 2. Lattice
- 3. Concrete Blocks and Bricks
- 4. Wire mesh
- 5. Metal Panels
- 6. Timbers
- 7. Composite Boards
- 8. Vinyl Panels
- 9. Gravel
- Shed Skirting Pros and Cons
- FAQs About What to Put Around Bottom of Shed
- How Do You Seal Around the Base of a Shed?
- How Do I Protect the Bottom of My Shed Floor?
- Does a Shed Need Ventilation Underneath?
- Author
What to Put Around Bottom of Shed
1. Treated plywood
Treated plywood is resistant to weather and ants. A preservative chemical is applied by brushing, spraying, or dipping.
Measure the bottom area of the shed and visit the hardware shop with all the dimensions. You can have the plywoods cut into exact pieces and take a little time to install.
However, leave a little space from the ground to protect the plywood from rotting. Screw the wood on the bottom frame of the shed.
The space below will allow air into the under-shed space if you have designed it for the pets.
2. Lattice
Lattices are panels that are easy to cut and install. They are made of treated wood or vinyl that is strong enough to keep the animals off under the shed.
To control pests, attach a screen material behind the panels. The lattice material allows plenty of air inside the space.
See also: How to hide a shed in a small garden
3. Concrete Blocks and Bricks
Although concrete blocks and bricks are considered expensive, they form a very stable skirting.
You can skirt the area with bricks or blocks and store some other items inside if the shed doesn’t hold all your items.
Another challenge is fitting the concrete blocks since they are more compact than the bricks. Ideally, order blocks that exactly fit the bottom space of your shed. Once you have transported them, you will have an easy time fitting them into the gaps.
4. Wire mesh
During summer, you can preserve the under-shed space as a resting place for your chicken. It can be a great place once you fence it with a wire mesh. You will have kept the predators off the chicken.
On the other hand, you can make it a resting place for dogs. A wire mesh allows plenty of air inside and gives a good view.
However, it may not prevent pests from getting inside because the meshes aren’t much tiny. Ideally, you can opt for hardware cloth that has smaller spaces.
See also: How to transform a garden shed into a chicken coop
5. Metal Panels
Scraps from a roofing project can get the job done and look appealing. Luckily, you can repaint the metal panels to match the shed paint color.
If you recently had a roofing project at home, you can take advantage of these scraps. Else, you can visit a nearby site and purchase the scraps.
Corrugated metal sheets work best. A friend skirted with them and stored his garden equipment in the space. One advantage I learned is that they are easy to stall and remove when you need to use them.
However, he had to do the flooring to protect them from dirt and moisture.
Note that you may have to add some wooden poles for better installation of the metal sheets because some may be shorter.
See also: Best DIY storage shed kits
6. Timbers
Skirting with timbers is another great idea. Although timbers are prone to rotting just like the plywoods, they form the best designs for the shed.
You can design them in a shiplap, run parallel with few spaces, or horizontally.
However, you need to leave a space of a few from the ground to protect the bottom timber from rotting.
See also: How do I make my shed pretty?
7. Composite Boards
Composite boards have modern designs that will give an aesthetic look to your shed and the yard in general.
Composite boards are manufactured through wood engineering, where plastic and wood fiber is extruded and heated.
The installation is easy, and the cost may be cheaper if you purchase the whole bottom measurement for the shed.
See also: How do I get rid of skunks in my shed?
8. Vinyl Panels
Vinyl is durable and very attractive due to its different colors and shades. Luckily, vinyl material doesn’t rust or rot. Additionally, the installation is simple DIY using screws.
When installing vinyl, leave small gaps between the panels for air circulation. However, don’t leave large spaces that will allow pests inside.
See also: How to get rid of rats under shade
9. Gravel
Gravel is another excellent method if you decide to fill the under-shed area and discourage rodents and pests.
Ideally, install some landscaping timbers to hold the gravel and fill the area. You can also fill half the space if you don’t have enough gravel. Gravel spread on the ground will discourage rodents from digging.
See also: Getting rid of groundhogs under shed
Shed Skirting Pros and Cons
Shed skirting has both benefits and drawbacks. Take a look;
| Pros | Cons |
| Keeps the unwanted animals off the under-shed area. | Reduced airflow underneath if you have kept animals under the shed. |
| Give the shed and the yard an attractive look. | The soil remains damp due to moisture which can encourage mold and mildew. |
| Creates extra storage space. | Pests may get inside through small gaps. |
See also: How to clean off mold in outdoor shed
FAQs About What to Put Around Bottom of Shed
How Do You Seal Around the Base of a Shed?
You can seal the space between the bottom frame of a shed and skirting material with a silicone sealant. It forms a waterproof seal that is also resistant to UV lights.
See also: Do sheds need a foundation?
How Do I Protect the Bottom of My Shed Floor?
There are various ways you can do skirting on the under-shed. Examples are using a wire mesh, timbers, lattices, and other panels to cover the sides.
Does a Shed Need Ventilation Underneath?
Proper ventilation for your shed is necessary for the safety of the items stored inside. It allows air circulation and reduces moisture.
With the above information, you shouldn’t worry anymore about what to put around bottom of shed. There are many ideas you can apply to protect the area.
