For some motive, 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 incorrect! The undertaking isn’t tough in any respect, but it surely’s undoubtedly not a quick, one-day undertaking, no less than not for an 18′ x 27′ constructing, and particularly once I’m working alone.
I contemplated many various kinds of supplies to make use of as skirting for my workshop. The issue I stored operating 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 presupposed to be any nearer than six inches from the bottom.
After perusing the aisles of Residence Depot and Lowe’s on the lookout for each different risk and googling numerous supplies for floor contact data, I lastly realized that my most suitable choice was going to be PVC boards. We all know that PVC is completely superb touching the bottom as a result of we put it within the floor. Plumbing lately is usually PVC and PEX, and so if PVC might be below the bottom, it will probably 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 received’t ever need to cope with something rotting and having to get replaced. So the upfront value is value it.
Earlier than I present you the method and progress, let me first remind you what the workshop appears to be like like after the primary two initiatives — constructing the shutters and portray the entrance door.
My constructing is constructed on 4 thick wooden skids, so the plan was simply to nail the skirting proper to these skids slightly below the siding.
However I didn’t need the skirting to go behind the steps to the entrance door, which can 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 lengthen 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 need to put the skirting boards proper up in opposition to 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 connected them flat (i.e., face up) simply beneath the siding.
Earlier than I connected that, 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 transition piece wanted to be connected. I used my Dremel Multi-Max for that.
As soon as that extra was lower away, the transition 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 at one piece to the constructing. So I marked and drilled all the pocket holes, maintaining them to about 12 inches aside.
And the I used a liberal quantity of PVC glue on the sides of each boards.
After which I screwed them collectively utilizing the pocket holes and Kreg 1.25-inch exterior screws.
After I received the boards over to the constructing, I noticed that there wasn’t fairly sufficient room on the fitting finish for the boards to suit into the skirting space. However I didn’t need to lower the boards.
So as a substitute, I dug out a trench for the boards to suit.
And right here’s what it seemed like when it was connected.
Right here’s what the workshop seemed like with each side connected 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 largest 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 piece.
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 following 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 probably 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, just like how you put in hardwood flooring, in order that I didn’t have joints within the high row lining up with joints within the backside row.
I drilled the pocket holes in all the boards first, after which assembled them on the driveway. Probably the most difficult half was working shortly 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 need to drag it on the concrete face down as a result of it might scratch up the face of the boards. So I lastly realized that I may use the furnishings dolly on one finish after which decide up the opposite finish and pull it over to the constructing.
And by the point I received it to the buidling and lined up, not solely was I fully out of daylight, however I additionally realized that this whole 27-foot size goes to want trenching for the skirting to suit.
So it undoubtedly wasn’t a one-day undertaking. I didn’t notice how a lot digging and trenching could be mandatory, after which simply attempting to determine how to do this long term of skirting on the again of the constructing too method longer than I believed it might. But it surely’s an excellent begin, and I feel the white skirting appears to be like so good on the constructing! So, hopefully it’ll solely take another day, however I’ve a sense it is likely to be two or three. I suppose it depends upon how a lot trenching is required.
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 the vast majority of the work on the home on my own. You’ll be able to study extra about me right here.
