For some cause, I had this concept that including skirting to my again yard workshop could be a reasonably simple, one-day undertaking. My goodness, was I ever unsuitable! The undertaking isn’t tough in any respect, however it’s positively not a quick, one-day undertaking, not less than not for an 18′ x 27′ constructing, and particularly after I’m working alone.
I contemplated many various kinds of supplies to make use of as skirting for my workshop. The issue I stored working into was that only a few supplies are rated for floor contact. My preliminary thought (and the plan which might have been the most cost effective) was to make use of the identical siding materials that’s on the constructing, and simply carry that down because the skirting. However then I learn that that siding materials isn’t speculated to be any nearer than six inches from the bottom.
After perusing the aisles of Residence Depot and Lowe’s in search of each different risk and googling numerous supplies for floor contact info, I lastly realized that my most suitable choice was going to be PVC boards. We all know that PVC is completely advantageous touching the bottom as a result of we put it in the bottom with water always working by way of it. Plumbing as of late is generally PVC and PEX, and so if PVC will be below the bottom with water working by way of it, it may definitely be touching the bottom.
In order that’s what I used. And buying sufficient PVC boards to finish skirt an 18′ x 27′ constructing wasn’t low cost, both. However hopefully, as a result of it’s PVC, it is a one-and-done sort of undertaking. I gained’t ever need to take care of something rotting and having to get replaced. So I’m hoping the upfront value shall be value it.
Earlier than I present you the method and progress, let me first remind you what the workshop appears like after the primary two initiatives — constructing the shutters and portray the entrance door.
My constructing is constructed on 4 thick wooden skid, and on prime of these skids, the ground of the constructing is framed with 2″ x 6″ lumber, which is what the siding is nailed to alongside its backside edge. So the plan was simply to nail the skirting proper to that outer 2″ x 6″ flooring body just below the siding.
However I didn’t need the skirting to go behind the steps to the entrance door, which shall be my subsequent undertaking. So earlier than measuring and attaching any skirting, I needed to mark off the width of the steps. I made a decision to make my steps prolong 16 inches from the trim on the door on all sides.
After which I measured from the nook of the skid to the mark I simply make. That width on my constructing was 122 inches.
I didn’t wish to put the skirting boards proper up towards the siding. I believed I wanted some type of transition board first. So I lower lengths of 1″ x 2″ PVC boards, mitered them for the corners of the constructing, and hooked up them flat (i.e., face up) simply beneath the siding.
*Be aware: I shall be caulking between this ledger board and the siding utilizing silicone caulk to forestall water from seeping between the 2 and ruining the siding. Since I’m in central Texas, we nearly by no means have a couple of or two days of rain at a time earlier than the Texas solar comes out once more and dries up the rain. So I’m assured that silicone caulk shall be sufficient safety from water. If I lived in an space of the nation like Oregon, the place there’s fixed rain for months of the yr, I’d have used my desk noticed to chop an angle into the highest of that ledger board to ensure rain water can’t collect there for months on finish. If I discover this flat ledger board to be an issue sooner or later, I can all the time pull it off, lower an angle in it, and nail it again on. However I don’t suppose it’ll be an issue right here in Texas.
Earlier than I hooked up that ledger board, I needed to lower away about 1/4-inch from the underside of one of many nook trim items on the constructing as a result of it was too low and in the way in which of the place that ledger board wanted to be hooked up. I used my Dremel Multi-Max for that.
As soon as that extra was lower away, the ledger board match completely beneath the siding all the way in which to the nook.
I used 2.5-inch 16-gauge nails for this.
Then I used to be prepared to connect the skirting boards. I needed these boards to run horizontally, and it took two boards to fill in that 12-inch top between the bottom and the siding. So I made a decision to connect the boards collectively utilizing PVC glue and pocket screws after which connect them as one piece to the constructing. So I marked and drilled the entire pocket holes, retaining them to about 12 inches aside.
After which I used a liberal quantity of PVC glue on the sides of each boards.
After which screwed them collectively utilizing the pocket holes and Kreg 1.25-inch exterior screws, working as rapidly as attainable in order that I might get them screwed collectively earlier than the PVC glue dried.
After I obtained the boards over to the constructing, I noticed that there wasn’t fairly sufficient room on the appropriate finish for the boards to suit into the skirting space. However I didn’t wish to lower the boards.
So as an alternative, I dug out a trench for the boards to suit.
And right here’s what it appeared like when it was hooked up.
I repeated that complete course of for the opposite aspect of the entrance door, and right here’s what the workshop appeared like with each side of the skirting hooked up on the entrance of the constructing.
I made a decision to do the again of the constructing subsequent as a result of I knew this one was going to be the most important problem, and I needed to get it over with. This aspect is an uninterrupted 27-foot run of skirting. So I began by attaching the transition ledger board.
The longest PVC 1″ x 2″ boards solely are available 12-foot lengths, so I needed to have two joints on this aspect. I lower the tip of the primary board at a 45-degree angle…
After which lower the subsequent board at that very same angle…
That helps to disguise the joint far more than if the boards had straight cuts.
Subsequent up was the skirting. This was essentially the most difficult a part of the day as a result of I needed to pre-assemble a 27-foot run of skirting. I made a decision to stagger the boards, much like how you put in hardwood flooring, in order that I didn’t have joints within the prime row lining up with joints within the backside row. I couldn’t get an image of the entire 27-foot run of skirting, however you may see within the photograph beneath how the joint between two boards within the backside row is towards a strong board on the highest row.
I marked and drilled the pocket holes in the entire boards first, after which assembled them on the driveway. Probably the most difficult half was working rapidly sufficient with the PVC glue to get the boards collectively earlier than the glue began to dry.
And as soon as it was all collectively, I had to determine tips on how to drag that 27-foot size of PVC board skirting over to the constructing. PVC boards are very flexible, in contrast to actual wooden. And I didn’t wish to drag it on the concrete face down as a result of it could scratch up the face of the boards. So I lastly realized that I might use the furnishings dolly on one finish after which choose up the opposite finish and pull it over to the constructing.
By the point I obtained it to the constructing and lined up, not solely was I fully out of daylight, however I additionally realized that this complete 27-foot size goes to want trenching for the skirting to suit.
So it positively wasn’t a one-day undertaking. I didn’t notice how a lot digging and trenching could be essential, after which simply making an attempt to determine how to try this future of skirting on the again of the constructing took means longer than I believed it could. But it surely’s begin, and I believe the white skirting appears so good on the constructing! So, hopefully it’ll solely take yet one more day, however I’ve a sense it is likely to be two or three. I suppose it will depend on how a lot trenching is required, and the way lengthy that takes.
Addicted 2 Adorning is the place I share my DIY and adorning journey as I transform and embellish the 1948 fixer higher that my husband, Matt, and I purchased in 2013. Matt has M.S. and is unable to do bodily work, so I do nearly all of the work on the home on my own. You can learn more about me here.
