Minneapolis neighborhood
Custom deck and porch building in East Harriet (55409)
East Harriet homes from the 1910s and 1920s sit a few blocks from Lake Harriet and the Rose Garden, with deep front porches, compact backyards and room for a well-planned deck.
- Answered 24/7
- Serving 55409
East Harriet at a glance
Designing a deck that fits an East Harriet house near the lake
A lot of homeowners in East Harriet want the same thing: a back deck that looks like it belongs to a 1920s house instead of a catalog page. The homes here have real trim, steep rooflines and brick or stucco details, so a plain rectangle of brown boards can look out of place. We start with drawings, fitting railing proportions and post spacing to the house, choosing a board color that sits well against the siding, and keeping the deck low enough that the backyard still feels like a yard. Then we prepare the permit set the city wants.
Plenty of our East Harriet work happens out front, too. Original porches facing the street take the worst of the weather, and their tongue-and-groove floors cup and rot at the outer edge where snow sits all winter. We replace floor boards, rebuild support columns and reframe sagging beams while keeping the look of the original porch. For the backyard, many owners here move from cedar to composite or PVC because they would rather walk to the lake than restain every other summer. We'll walk you through the trade-offs of each material on your own lot.
What we see on East Harriet porches and backyard decks
Porch floors cupped at the edge
Snow piles on the outer boards of a front porch through March. The boards cup, paint peels, and the band beneath softens. We swap floor sections, flash the band, and pitch the floor so water runs off.
Cedar decks past their prime
Cedar decks built here in the 1990s have often gone gray and split. If the frame checks out, new cedar or composite boards on the old joists can give you another long run of use.
Tree roots near footings
Big boulevard and backyard trees mean roots right where footings want to go. We place posts to clear large roots, and use helical piers when digging would harm a tree, while still reaching frost depth.
Pergolas over a small deck
On a compact lot, a pergola gives a deck some shade and the feel of an outdoor room without a full roof. We size the beams for snow and anchor the posts so it stays square through winter.
Deck services East Harriet homeowners call us for
Typical prices for these jobs in East Harriet
Ranges from 2026 Twin Cities projects. Your price comes in a written scope after we see the site.
| Service | Typical range | Priced |
|---|---|---|
| Composite Deck Installation | $58 to $97 | per square foot installed |
| PVC Deck Installation | $67 to $112 | per square foot installed |
| Front Porch Repair and Rebuilds | $1,870 to $18,600 | per porch |
| Pergola Building | $4,860 to $22,700 | per pergola |
| Deck Railing Installation | $68 to $212 | per linear foot |
| Screened Porch Building | $24,800 to $68,500 | per porch |
Deck questions from East Harriet
What kind of railing suits a 1920s East Harriet home?
Painted wood or simple square aluminum balusters usually look right on Craftsman and Tudor homes, while cable rail fits better on houses that have been updated inside and out. We match the top rail height and post size to the house trim, and we bring samples so you can hold them against your siding before choosing.
Should I pick composite or PVC for a deck a few blocks from Lake Harriet in East Harriet?
Both resist rot and skip the staining that wood needs. PVC is lighter, tends to run a bit cooler in direct sun and costs more, while capped composite feels closer to wood underfoot. Being near the lake changes little by itself, but heavy shade or full sun on your lot does, so we look at the yard before recommending one.
Can you keep the look of the original porch on my East Harriet house during a rebuild?
In most cases, yes. We copy the column style, rail profile and trim details, and we reuse original pieces that are still sound. New framing, footings and flashing go in underneath where you won't see them. If the porch roof needs work too, we check the beam and posts carrying it before we touch the floor.
Deck work in East Harriet? Call any hour.
We are on the phone 24/7 and on site across East Harriet every week. Tell us about the deck and we will set a visit.