For some cause, I had this concept that including skirting to my again yard workshop could be a reasonably straightforward, one-day venture. My goodness, was I ever flawed! The venture isn’t troublesome in any respect, but it surely’s positively not a quick, one-day venture, a minimum of not for an 18′ x 27′ constructing, and particularly once I’m working alone.
I contemplated many several types 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 affordable) 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 House Depot and Lowe’s searching for each different chance and googling varied supplies for floor contact data, I lastly realized that my best choice was going to be PVC boards. We all know that PVC is completely tremendous touching the bottom as a result of we put it in the bottom with water consistently operating by means of it. Plumbing nowadays is generally PVC and PEX, and so if PVC might be underneath the bottom with water operating by means of it, it will possibly actually 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, this can be a one-and-done type of venture. I received’t ever need to cope with something rotting and having to get replaced. So I’m hoping the upfront value might be value it.
Earlier than I present you the method and progress, let me first remind you what the workshop seems to be like after the primary two tasks — 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 slightly below the siding.
However I didn’t need the skirting to go behind the steps to the entrance door, which might be my subsequent venture. 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 towards the siding. I believed I wanted some form 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 might be caulking between this ledger board and the siding utilizing silicone caulk to stop water from seeping between the 2 and ruining the siding. Since I’m in central Texas, we virtually 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 might 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 verify 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 at all times pull it off, lower an angle in it, and nail it again on. However I don’t assume 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 best way 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 best way 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 all the pocket holes, maintaining 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 potential in order that I may get them screwed collectively earlier than the PVC glue dried.
Once I obtained the boards over to the constructing, I spotted that there wasn’t fairly sufficient room on the best finish for the boards to suit into the skirting space. However I didn’t need 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 either 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 in 12-foot lengths, so I needed to have two joints on this aspect. I lower the top 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 possibly can see within the picture 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 all the 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 how one can 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 could 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.
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 whole 27-foot size goes to want trenching for the skirting to suit.
So it positively wasn’t a one-day venture. I didn’t notice how a lot digging and trenching could be essential, after which simply making an attempt to determine how to do this future of skirting on the again of the constructing took manner longer than I believed it could. Nevertheless it’s an excellent begin, and I feel the white skirting seems to be so good on the constructing! So, hopefully it’ll solely take yet another day, however I’ve a sense it could be two or three. I assume 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 rework and enhance 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’ll be able to be taught extra about me right here.
