SO you've just built a deck and have discovered that you've got something of an esthetic dilemma.
Because your new deck is raised several feet above the terra firma below, a gap between the deck and ground has been formed. Upon closer inspection, you note that gap doesn't really look very appealing.
What to do, oh what to do? Thankfully, Design Equations' Brenda Goran has a solution to your annoying problem.
"These days, the decks people are building tend to not only be larger in size, but raised," she said. "And when the deck is raised, unfinished space is left below. In the past, homeowners have used lattice to fill the area and finish it off, but while it looks good, it isn't that durable -- and doesn't keep animals, insects, leaves or snow from getting underneath the deck. This fabric does that, and also allows air to circulate, which prevents moisture from building up."
With deck skirting becoming a more prominent part of homes, Goran searched for a product that not only looked good, but was durable, and kept animals and insects out. Her search ended when she found deckALL skirting.
It's a mesh-like, industrial-strength fabric that's very strong and durable," she said. "For starters, it's cold resistant -- we tested it in a hockey rink at better than -30 C with my son, who has a pretty hard shot, shooting pucks at it; it didn't crack or tear, so we know it will hold up in extreme cold. It's also a very strong material. If you cut it and try to tear it apart, you can't. As a result, mice, squirrels and rabbits don't like chewing on it, and stay away from it."
Available in five designer colours -- cedar tone, sage, black, grey and white -- deckALL skirting also has UV inhibitors built in to it to ensure the fabric won't fade from constant exposure to the sun. Goran -- who's tested it out at her own home -- said it's a product that lasts.
"I just replaced some skirting not because it was worn out, but because I wanted to put some skirting with a new design in its place. It's a lightweight, strong material that won't break down under even the harshest conditions. It works well in a climate like ours, where you go from extreme heat in the summer, to extreme cold in the winter."
Now, here's the really good news: deckALL is also quite easy to install. Design Equations can supply deck skirting kits that include 50 feet of 48-inch wide skirting mesh (with a reinforced bottom edge). Included is a grommet kit that allows for further customization, and metal spikes for fixing the skirting to the ground. Attaching the skirting is a relatively simple task, as it can be stapled to the deck's trim board.
"We can also do custom installations, too," she said. "The kits are available at Windsor Plywood, and across Canada at a number of Home Hardware locations. If you want to get it done properly and quickly, we can come out and install it for you in no time."
Goran added that the skirting mesh also has several other applications.
"It can be used to create privacy screens -- either stand-alone units, or between the railing of your deck. It not only provides extra privacy, but acts as a wind screen and provides additional shade (about 60 per cent more)," she said. "If you want to get creative, we can also stencil on some wonderful art designs for outdoor areas -- branched leaves, stained glass, cactus, fireworks or sunburst. It can also be cut into fence panels that add privacy and decorative detail to your yard. We can even use it to make a cover for your pergola."
Additionally, the mesh can be used out at the cottage or the trailer as skirting, or to cover in gazebos. It could even be used as snow fencing.
"I think the mesh is a product that can really meet a lot of needs in outdoor space living," said Goran. "It finishes off areas -- and provides protection -- in an elegant, yet unobtrusive way."
For more information on Design Equations and deckALL deck skirting, visit their website at www.designequations.ca or call 864-2203 locally, 888-864-2203 from outside Winnipeg.
lewys@mts.net
