Ramsey County
Screened porches and lake lot decks in Shoreview (55126)
Shoreview's lake lots and wooded subdivisions mean mosquitoes in June, yards sloping toward the water and decks that have to work as both a view spot and a summer room.
- Answered 24/7
- Serving 55126
Shoreview at a glance
Building around the lakes, trees and bugs of Shoreview
Shoreview grew around a cluster of lakes, including Lake Owasso, Snail Lake, Turtle Lake and Island Lake, and many homes from the 1960s through the 1990s face one of them or a wetland edge. That puts decks on yards that slope toward water, often shaded by oaks and pines for much of the day. Shaded wood dries slowly, so we see boards that stay green and slick, joists with soft tops and screws rusting in place. Board choice matters more here than in an open subdivision, and so does airflow under the deck.
Then there are the mosquitoes. A lake view is hard to enjoy at dusk in late June, which is why so many Shoreview homeowners ask us to turn an existing deck into a screened porch or a three-season room. That conversion depends on the deck below: footings sized for a roof load, framing that can carry walls and a ledger tied properly into the house. We check all of it first. If the deck can carry a roof, we build on it; if it can't, we rebuild the base before the screens go up.
What lake lots and wooded yards do to Shoreview decks
Decks that never fully dry
Tree cover and lake humidity keep wood damp for days after rain. We often suggest capped composite or PVC boards, slightly wider gaps and open skirting so air moves freely under the deck.
Turning a deck into a porch
An existing deck can sometimes carry a screened porch, but a roof under Minnesota snow weighs far more than a bare deck. We check footing size and depth and beam spans before planning any walls.
Long stairs down toward the shore
Lake-facing yards often drop well below the deck, which means long stair runs on uneven ground. We add landings, set each footing below frost and light the treads for evening trips to the dock.
Railings that block the view
Thick wood balusters can hide the very lake view the deck was built for. Cable or aluminum and glass railings keep sight lines open while still meeting height and spacing rules.
Deck services Shoreview homeowners call us for
Typical prices for these jobs in Shoreview
Ranges from 2026 Twin Cities projects. Your price comes in a written scope after we see the site.
| Service | Typical range | Priced |
|---|---|---|
| Screened Porch Building | $24,800 to $68,500 | per porch |
| Three-Season Porch Building | $41,600 to $97,800 | per porch |
| Second-Story and Walkout Decks | $63 to $118 | per square foot installed |
| Cable Railing Installation | $118 to $247 | per linear foot |
| PVC Deck Installation | $67 to $112 | per square foot installed |
| Deck Stair Building and Repair | $1,460 to $6,920 | per stair run |
Deck questions from Shoreview
Can my Shoreview deck be screened in, or do I need to start over?
It depends on what's under it. A screened porch adds roof weight and Minnesota snow load, so the footings and beams have to carry far more than a bare deck. We dig at a footing, check its depth and size, and look at the ledger. Some decks convert with added footings; others need a new base first.
What decking stays least slippery on a shaded Shoreview lake lot?
Capped composite and PVC boards with a textured surface resist the green film that builds up on shaded wood. They still need a rinse in spring and fall to clear pollen and leaves. Makers like TimberTech, Trex and Fiberon publish care sheets, and we'll point you to the one that matches your boards.
Are there extra rules for building a deck close to a lake in Shoreview?
Lake lots in Shoreview fall under shoreland rules that limit how close structures can sit to the water and how much of the lot can be covered. The city reviews that during the permit process. We measure your setbacks, draw the deck to fit them and handle the permit filing for you.
Nearby areas we serve
Deck work in Shoreview? Call any hour.
We are on the phone 24/7 and on site across Shoreview every week. Tell us about the deck and we will set a visit.