Decks and porches in Madison
Outdoor space that's solid underfoot and attached to the house the right way.
Most deck failures happen in one place: where the deck meets the house. We bolt the ledger board to the house framing, flash above it so water can't get behind, and set footings below the frost line so the deck doesn't lift in winter. Railings, stairs and joist spacing get built to code and inspected.
For the surface, you have choices. Pressure-treated wood costs the least and needs staining every couple of years. Cedar looks better and needs the same care. Composite and PVC cost more up front and need little beyond washing. A porch adds a roof and sometimes screens, which means tying into the house roofline and usually a bigger permit.
What's included
- Design, drawings and permits
- Footings, framing and ledger flashing
- Wood, composite and PVC decking
- Railings and stairs
- Covered and screened porches
A good time to call
- Deck boards are soft or splitting
- The railing moves when you lean on it
- The deck bounces or has pulled away from the house
- You want shade or screens so you can use the space more
Questions people ask
Don't see yours? Call (608) 555-0136.
Can you put new boards on my old deck frame?
Sometimes. If the joists, posts and ledger are sound and spaced right for the new decking, resurfacing saves money. We probe the frame before we promise anything. A frame that's rotting at the house isn't worth new boards.
Does a deck need a permit?
In most towns, yes, if it's attached to the house or more than a small step off the ground. The permit means the footings, framing and railings get inspected. We draw the plan and pull the permit as part of the job.