What to Use to Cover an Opening Under a Porch

Non-permeable Masonry Skirtings

• Entry porches are often finished with non-permeable skirtings that qualify as extensions of the porch foundation. Mortared brick or stone can be used to fill spaces between porch pillars, as can masonry brick. These coverings are weatherproof and keep leaves, yard debris and water out from under the porch. They are not, however, suited to soil that may not bear weight well and may need to be installed by professionals unless built as part of the original porch construction. In damp areas, soil moisture may turn non-permeable areas into sources of mold, mildew and wood-rot. If you seal all openings under the porch, the only way to address dampness issues may be by removing the porch floor.

Ventilated Masonry Skirtings

• Cement bricks or pavers can be used to create ventilated skirtings by laying them in spaced patterns. Decorative pavers with stamped, open patterns are also suitable for this kind of construction. The major aggravations inherent in these structures come from their greatest asset. Ventilation spaces insure good air circulation and dissipation of moisture under the porch but those same spaces allow for accumulation of blown leaves and other yard debris, along with attractive refuges for mice, squirrels and other wildlife.

Wooden Skirtings

• In dry areas, pressure-treated outdoor lumber can be used for skirting. Laid either horizontally or vertically, it creates a smooth unobtrusive covering surface and may make a stylistic contribution to modern houses in climates that permit porch or deck use nearly year-round. Climate and ground moisture are a concern for even treated wooden skirtings.

Vinyl Skirtings

• The endless cycle of scrape, paint and replace made the introduction of vinyl lattice a welcome replacement for traditional wooden lattice. Framed and unframed vinyl panels have replaced more-high-maintenance wood on many porches. While available in only a small range of colors and difficult to cut without power tools, vinyl lattice has the advantages of being lightweight and durable that appeal to many homeowners. Considerably heavier and still expensive, plastic lumber is beginning to show potential as another skirting material, replacing pressure-treated wood.

Other Skirting Considerations

• Many architects enjoy the apocryphal story of the neophyte who designed an impressive multi-story house but forgot to include any stairs. Similar difficulties need to be avoided when covering openings under a porch. Think about whether you might still need access to the under-porch space, to modify insulation, dispel moisture or address pest problems.