Every job below is one we do ourselves across Palm Harbor.
We build decks from pressure-treated pine or composite boards like Trex and TimberTech, framed with joists set 16 inches on center. Footings go below grade with poured concrete piers sized for Pinellas County's sandy soil and wind load requirements. Every ledger board gets bolted and flashed to the house, not just nailed, so water can't work its way behind the siding.
Soft spots in the decking, wobbly railings and sagging joists usually mean rot has already set in, not that a board needs a quick swap. We pull up boards to check the joists and ledger underneath before we patch anything on top. If the framing's compromised we replace it, because new decking on rotten joists just hides the problem for another year.
Florida sun bleaches wood fast and afternoon storms drive moisture into open grain, so we recommend sealing every 12 to 18 months on pressure-treated decks. We pressure wash first, let the wood dry for at least 48 hours, then apply a penetrating stain rated for high UV exposure. Composite decking doesn't need sealing, just a wash down twice a year.
Multi-level decks, built-in benches, pergolas, stairs that wrap around a pool cage, we work out the layout with you before any lumber gets ordered. We draw it to scale so you know exactly how much shade, seating and square footage you're getting. Florida building code sets the rules on railing height and stair rise, and we design inside those limits from the start.
Composite boards cost more up front than pressure-treated pine, but they don't split, splinter or need refinishing. We leave the manufacturer's expansion gap between boards since composite moves more than wood does in Florida heat. Hidden fastener systems keep the surface clean, no screw heads to catch bare feet.
When the joists are shot, the ledger board's rotted out, or the whole structure's been patched too many times, tearing it down and starting over costs less than chasing repairs. We reuse footings where they're still sound and rebuild the frame to current code, including hurricane straps most old decks never had.
Loose posts and wobbly railings are almost always a sign the fasteners have corroded, not that the wood is bad. We rebuild post connections with stainless or hot-dip galvanized hardware that holds up against salt air, and we check baluster spacing against the 4-inch code gap while we're at it.
Pool decks need boards spaced to shed water fast and hardware that won't rust from chlorine splash. We build the frame to keep the deck surface a step below the door threshold so rain runs away from the house, not toward it.
A screened enclosure over a deck keeps the no-see-ums out without losing the outdoor feel. We frame it to tie into the existing roofline or build a standalone structure, and we run it past code for wind rating before it goes up.
This is the part nobody sees once the boards go down, and it's the part that decides whether the deck is still standing in ten years. We check joist hangers, beam sizing and post-to-footing connections, and we fix undersized framing even if it means more work than the customer expected to pay for.
Four steps, and no surprises in any of them.
You tell us what you want doing, we look at what is actually there, and we ask the awkward questions early.
In writing, itemised, free. If something might add cost later we flag it now rather than at the end.
Same crew throughout. We cover your floors, keep the dust down and tidy up before we leave each day.
You point out anything you are not happy with and we fix it before the invoice, not after.
Deck installation and repair work covers Palm Harbor and the surrounding Pinellas County area.
Questions that come up once a deck project is actually underway.
Describe the problem and we will tell you what it probably is. No obligation.
