Minneapolis neighborhood
Composite deck building in Linden Hills (55410)
Linden Hills lots are small and the houses sit close together, so a deck here has to fit tight to the alley garage and look good from the neighbor's kitchen window.
- Answered 24/7
- Serving 55410
Linden Hills at a glance
Getting more from a small Linden Hills backyard
Linden Hills sits on the strip of land between Bde Maka Ska and Lake Harriet, and the houses mostly date from the 1900s through the 1930s. Bungalows, story-and-a-half homes and a scattering of Tudors fill narrow lots, with detached garages off the alley and side yards that are sometimes barely wide enough for a wheelbarrow. Many families here have an older cedar or treated deck that's gone gray and soft. Replacing it with composite is the most common call we get, because the boards hold their color and a small deck gets used hard all summer.
Small decks still need full-size planning. We check where the deck can go without crowding the setback from the lot line, how the stair meets the walk to the garage, and whether the height triggers a permit. Composite boards from makers like Trex, TimberTech or Fiberon each have their own joist spacing and fastener rules, so we frame to the board you choose. We also bring materials in through the alley in small loads. A lot of streets near 43rd and Upton have little room to park a trailer, and your neighbors will thank you for keeping the alley clear.
Small-lot deck details we plan for in Linden Hills
Setbacks from the lot line
On a narrow lot, a deck can easily run too close to the side property line. We measure first and shape the deck, sometimes with a clipped corner, so it fits the setback the city allows.
Old cedar gone soft
Cedar decks from the 1990s often look fine from a distance but have soft spots near the house and around planters. We probe every joist and decide whether the frame can carry new composite boards.
Shade from mature trees
Big boulevard and backyard trees keep many decks here shaded and damp. Composite and PVC boards resist the mildew that greens up wood, and we leave airflow under the deck so the frame dries.
Privacy without a tall fence
Houses sit close, so a deck can feel exposed. A slatted privacy screen or a planter wall on one side gives you a quiet corner without building a full-height fence along the lot line.
Deck services Linden Hills homeowners call us for
Typical prices for these jobs in Linden Hills
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 |
| Deck Replacement | $42 to $98 | per square foot including tear-off |
| Deck Privacy Screens and Walls | $1,460 to $5,980 | per screen run |
| Built-In Deck Benches and Planters | $1,120 to $6,350 | per build |
| PVC Deck Installation | $67 to $112 | per square foot installed |
| Deck Lighting Installation | $1,380 to $5,640 | per deck |
Deck questions from Linden Hills
Can you replace a small Linden Hills deck with composite without making it bigger?
Yes, and many people here want exactly that. We take off the old boards, check the frame, and either reuse it or build a new one to the same footprint. A same-size composite deck in Linden Hills still needs the right joist spacing and hardware, but it often avoids any change to your setback.
How do you get materials to a Linden Hills backyard with no side access?
Most Linden Hills jobs are staged from the alley. We bring boards, posts and concrete in smaller loads, carry them past the garage, and keep the work area neat so the alley stays open for your neighbors. When there's truly no path, we plan cuts so long boards are handled outside the yard.
Will a composite deck in Linden Hills get too hot in the summer sun?
It can on a deck that gets full afternoon sun, though many Linden Hills yards are shaded by mature trees. Lighter colors and some capped composite or PVC lines stay cooler than dark boards. We can bring samples to set out on your deck so you can feel the difference on a warm day.
Deck work in Linden Hills? Call any hour.
We are on the phone 24/7 and on site across Linden Hills every week. Tell us about the deck and we will set a visit.