It's really easy to run lattice around a deck. Just nail a 2x4 between the support post, flush w/post. That gives you a nailer on the bottom. Depending on if your skirt board covers your entire rim joist, you may need to nail a 2x4 between the post @ the top also. Al

If you are going to do skirting, need to think about framing it. Support from bottom, sides and top. Do not want wind to blow against a solid wall just hanging. In spite of weight, given leverage, needs bracing against ground/posts or something so that movement does not twist rim joist. If post are on leading edge than could create a box frame between posts. If the more common cantilevered front edge of deck, then could put in new posts into the ground (with footings) and build frame between the new posts and deck. If the new posts are not structural to the deck (not needed to support the deck), three posts should be adequate with a box frame and some diagonal cross bracing. Wind load is probably at least as important as dead weight in this large a flat surface. Furthermore, underside of deck needs ventilation. So whatever pattern of boards you use, leave a lot of gap somewhere for air to pass through to keep condensation from forming on underside of deck boards. Also keep ends of IPE off the ground. It is not suitable for ground contact(moisture will cause it to rot)

Deckbarn, 1)There is no way ONE 'painter' stained ALL the WHITE and ALL the TAN on that deck w two coats(one done before install) in one week.. NOT with a brush...Were you there? Do you see brush marks? I'm calling BS on that....and as I said before, I painted for quite a few years and yes sir I was the 'trim &detail girl' so whether your hand is good or not.... whether you are a fast OR slow brusher- didn't no ONE MAN done do ALL that trim in one week.... PERIOD...... 2)Please post CLOSE UPS of your deck so I can see the seams and how all deck components marry together...neatly?? Gapping?? Any big messy caulk beads? Pine is soft and wet......so ummmm... I'd love CLOSE UP PICS Mr. Puffy. And would love to see your RED Trex decking,top rail,etc. up close so I can see if it's blotchy like it looks in the pics...and I want to see the red Trex top rail and what I assume is face screwed decking.. just to see how what the overall look is.UP CLOSE 3)yeah Deckbarn, i know painters use ladders...I don't know any PAINTER that would want to work on the top of your gazebo. It's an awkward reach.... and on a crazy pitch. 3)My deck cost is $20,000..(thevinyl fence surround on the second floor will put it over $20,000.The RDI Novalign PVC railing is a HUGGGE part of the cost.... I don't want your wood railings.I'm sure you could do my deck for $15,000, but NOT with the material I want to use and YOU ain't doing it anyway.. You would give the job to whoever is the hungriest for work.... PERIOD 4)brace yourself for this Puffy... I live five miles outside Manhattan...People who do 'labor' here get paid more bc it costs more to live here...Are you 30 miles out of Detroit???? Go closer toward the city and it's different.....My house is 120 years old...I am essentially the 'contractor' for all renovations...I research materials before a project starts and then get recommendations from each guy within his specialty. I oversee a master electrician,plumber,and a carpenter.(all three have minimum 30 years experience) I'm sure I could find a guy who only does decks,but it's NJ and what some people call 'straight and finished' is not what I call 's and f'... My carpenter building the deck is highly skilled and you know what??? Money isn't everything... I would rather blow an extra $4000 to be able to sleep at night and know I can make modifications or change materials as we go along....... It's worth it to me... THERE IS NOTHING on my house that is plumb,straight,cookie cutter....I don't want to stain friggin ANYTHING anymore.... I don't want to paint ANYTHING anymore.... PRETEND I'm your customer. You aren't even listening to me.. You are still stuck on promoting a deck the way that is the most profit for you... I know it sux that synthetic railings dip into your profit.....That's life.. But my dear, synthetics are the future on decks.... You should embrace it instead of promoting your BOTTOM line number on building a deck...Someone always pays...and your middle class customer w 3 kids and both working doesn't want to stain or Good Golly have to find someone to stain it in 4 years.....staining railings is a pain in the bum.. YOU know it.. admit it... Have you ever looked at a roof when they smacked it on with a large crew??? The more hands that drop shingles the worse it looks.. I like one hand on my projects... Just a matter of preference....

Hi Joshua, Let the cedar weather grey. The wood will last a long time, will be virtually maintenance free, and look great. You do not need to match the decking with your interior flooring. Aesthetically, we prefer a contrast, but it's up to you ultimately. We have cedar porches in the Northeast that have been untreated for 20 years, weathered to a natural grey, and have no maintenance done to them other than sweeping and hosing to get dirt off of them....