3 Things You Need to Know Before Building a Deck

Most homeowners come to us knowing they want a deck - but not knowing what actually goes into building one that holds up and looks great for years. So we put together the three things we wish every homeowner knew before they started planning.

Material choice is probably the biggest decision you'll make. Composite decking costs more upfront, no question. But it doesn't rot, it doesn't need to be stained every couple years, and it holds its color. Treated lumber saves you money now - but you'll spend time and money maintaining it down the road. The same logic applies to your railing. We're happy to walk you through the material options we trust most for low maintenance and long-term performance.

Here's the one most people overlook: the structure underneath. Proper footings, correct joist spacing, a solid ledger connection to the house - none of that is visible once the deck is done, but all of it determines whether your deck lasts 10 years or 30. This is not where you cut corners. We build every deck like someone's going to be standing on it in 20 years, because they will.

The last piece is layout and how you'll actually use the space. A grill area, a dining setup, lounge chairs, stairs that flow naturally to the yard - all of that affects the size, shape, and cost of the design. A deck that's planned around real life feels significantly more functional and more spacious than one that's just a box attached to the house. Every layout we design is built around how that specific homeowner lives.

If you've been thinking about adding a deck this year, now is the time to get the planning started. We're booking upcoming projects and would love to help you figure out what makes sense for your home and your budget.