Deck guides for Twin Cities homeowners
Straight answers to the questions we hear on site visits, written for Minnesota weather and Minneapolis homes.
Written by Gunnar Haugland, Lead Deck Estimator
All 12 guides
How deep deck footings have to go in Minnesota
Twin Cities deck footings have to bear 42 inches below grade, below the frost line. Here is why that number matters, what happens when a footing stops short, and how we pick a footing type.
Read the guideComposite, PVC, cedar or pressure-treated: what holds up in Minnesota
Four decking materials cover nearly every deck we build in the Twin Cities. Each handles snow, sun and freeze-thaw swings differently, and the one that costs least to install is not always the one that costs least to own.
Read the guideHow to spot a failing deck ledger before it lets go
The ledger is the board that ties your deck to the house. When it rots or pulls loose, the whole deck can drop. These are the signs we look for from the yard and from inside the basement.
Read the guideShoveling snow off a deck without damaging it
Twin Cities decks spend months under snow. Clearing it the right way protects the boards, keeps the stairs safe, and tells you when a roof slide has put more weight on the frame than you want.
Read the guideWhen a deck needs a permit in Minneapolis and the suburbs
Most new decks in Minneapolis and the surrounding suburbs need a building permit. Here is what usually triggers one, what the drawings include, how inspections go, and how we take the paperwork off your plate.
Read the guideScreened, three-season or four-season porch: which fits your year
Minnesota porches come in three main forms. They look alike from the street but differ in walls, windows, heat and cost, and in how many months of the year you will actually sit out there.
Read the guideWhen to stain a new pressure-treated or cedar deck
A new deck looks ready for stain the day it's finished, but most lumber is still wet inside. Here's how to tell when your boards will take stain, and which finish fits your deck.
Read the guideHow we decide whether to repair, resurface or replace a deck
Soft boards and a wobbly rail don't always mean you need a new deck. The right answer depends on what's under the surface, and that takes an hour of looking with a flashlight and an awl.
Read the guideDeck railing height and guard rules for Twin Cities homes
Railings are the part of a deck people lean on, sit on and trust without thinking. Here's what residential code asks of guards and handrails, and where older Minneapolis decks often come up short.
Read the guidePlanning a tall deck on a walkout lot in the Twin Cities suburbs
A walkout home puts the kitchen door a full story above the yard. That height brings great views and a second outdoor room below, but it changes nearly every part of how the deck gets built.
Read the guideA spring deck inspection checklist for after a Minnesota winter
Months of snow, ice and freeze-thaw swings leave marks on every Minnesota deck. A one-hour walk-through in April or May catches small problems before the first cookout puts weight on them.
Read the guideWhat it takes to put a hot tub on a deck in Minnesota
A hot tub on the deck sounds simple until you add up the water, the shell and the people inside. Here's how we frame for that weight, and what else to plan before the tub arrives.
Read the guideRather ask than read?
Call and ask your question. A real person answers, day or night.