Custom Deck Builder
DirtWright offers full service custom deck design and construction from permitting to completion. We can redesign and rebuild your existing patio to better suit your needs, or we can design and build a brand new structure. This dovetails with our ability to offer a whole yard redesign which allows us to consolidate your contractor and scheduling needs. We’ll offer standalone custom patio and pergola design and build as well. Trust us to understand the relevant codes and structural needs of your project to deliver a sweet deck that will last.
Deck piles & foundations
Good decks start with a solid foundation. We use screw or concrete piles on all our decks, including those at ground level. These are at least 8′ deep to make sure we’re below the frost line for long term stability but can go deeper if we need to get bearing. Other foundation options such as short piles or deck blocks will allow seasonal movement, which impacts the long term usability of the deck, and can cause damage to the house if it is excessive. We will typically set our stairs on a beam and piles as well. This gives a solid feeling set of stairs. It also prevents seasonal movement of the stairs, which can degrade their structure where they attach to the deck and deform railings.
Deck Framing
Our beams and joists are typically over-sized, which adds long-term durability, but also provides a stiffer, more solid feeling deck in the near term. We maximize the life of the deck through use of pressure treated lumber with joist tape on the top. Joist tape acts like a mini “roof” for the framing, and protects the deck structure from water ingress and damage through screw holes and lumber checking. Cut ends of framing are treated for protection from rot. We use galvanized nails or structural screws where required for shear loading, which is everywhere in the framing. Beware of deck contractors who use untreated nails in treated lumber, or worse, screws. These will corrode and fail from the pressure treating compounds, or in the case of screws, they may suffer brittle failure even before they corrode.
Decking Surfaces
Decking material is the surface you walk on. Common materials are pressure treated 5/4 decking and cedar decking, but we also offer more exotic options like tropical hardwoods. We will offer composite decking as well, but prefer woods like Ipe and others for the extended durability and elegance with minimal maintenance. These are a similar cost to composite options but will substantially outperform. They do not carry the risk of UV degradation and brittle failure that composite does, and are stronger, more stable, more durable, and more comfortable than composite decking. We also work with CementWright to offer more unconventional but truly durable low maintenance options like concrete suspended slabs for decks. These are one of the most durable and lowest maintenance options available.
Custom Decking Details
It’s the little things that set our decks apart for comfort and durability. We understand how wood moves and use this to our advantage. We orient our treated 5/4 decking so when it cups, it sheds the water off, which leads to less checking and a smoother surface underfoot. Cedar and hardwood material is selected for consistency and stability-we choose rift and quartersawn cuts as much as possible, and pay attention to colouring and joints for aesthetics. We break all the cut edges on our decking, which means the deck is comfortable and safe to walk on anywhere.
We take pride in our deck building capability. We are not afraid of complex designs, custom stairs or railings, and unique angles, and will work with you to come up with the best design for your project. We apply our skills to both new builds and deck renovations. DirtWright’s decks are comfortable and long lasting. Contact us to learn more.