Decks & Porches in the Baltimore Area

What deck work do we do?

We build new decks, re-deck balconies, repair damaged decks and refinish worn wood, in composite or pressure-treated lumber. Every job starts with a look at the frame underneath, because the posts, beams, joists and ledger decide whether you need new boards, a repair or a full rebuild. The work falls into four groups:

• New decks in composite or pressure-treated wood, with stairs, railings and lattice skirting
• Re-decking a sound frame or balcony with new composite or wood boards
• Repairs to boards, panels, posts, railings and deck stairs
• Refinishing: sanding, cleaning and staining wood decks and railings

We also build elevated walkways and second-story decks. On one job we framed a pressure-treated walkway over a low roof and along the side of the house, tying it into exterior stairs that run up to the second floor. That elevated side walkway has its own project page, and our exterior stairs and front steps page covers stair rebuilds.

Composite or pressure-treated wood: which is right for you?

Choose composite if you want the least upkeep, and pressure-treated wood if you want the lower build cost and don’t mind staining every few years. Both are solid choices for Baltimore weather when the frame underneath is built right.

	Composite	Pressure-treated wood
Upkeep	Wash it; no sanding or staining	Clean and restain periodically
Look	Consistent color, two-tone options	Natural wood; can be stained any color
Repairs	Matching boards later can be harder	Easy to cut in a new board
Railings	Often paired with black metal or white rails	Wood rails and balusters, or metal

Our gray composite deck off a set of French doors has white rails with black balusters. A brown composite deck beside a brick ranch house pairs the boards with black aluminum railings and white lattice under the deck. Either way, the frame underneath is what decides how long the deck lasts.

What makes rowhouse rear decks and balconies different?

Rowhouse decks are tight jobs. Material often has to come through the house or down a back alley, the yard is small, and the deck may be a story or more off the ground. We plan access, staging and cleanup before we start, so the job doesn’t take over your house or your neighbor’s yard.

One rowhouse job was a new pressure-treated rear deck and stairs with lattice skirting behind a brick rowhouse. On another, we re-decked a second-floor balcony: the old boards came off, new two-tone composite boards went down, and black metal railings finished it. Both are part of our decks, balcony and rear stairs project page. For City-specific rules, see Baltimore City deck permits and rowhouse decks.

Can my deck be repaired instead of replaced?

Usually, if the frame is sound. We start every repair by checking the posts, beams, joists and the ledger where the deck attaches to the house. If those are solid, we replace the bad boards, panels or stair parts and refasten what’s loose. If the frame is soft or rotted, we’ll tell you plainly and show you why a rebuild makes more sense.

One client asked us to fix a damaged deck panel, and we made sure the whole deck was sound before leaving. Another had us repair their deck stairs and mentioned the tips we gave on maintaining the deck going forward.

Do you refinish and stain wood decks?

Yes. Refinishing a wood deck means cleaning it, sanding rough or gray boards, fixing loose fasteners and popped nails, and applying a new coat of stain to the boards and railings. We’ve refinished decks with detailed railing work, like a sunburst-pattern rail that had to be sanded by hand, and restained a wood deck and railings in a reddish-brown that brought the color back to weathered boards. For painted railings and trim, see our painting services.

Do I need a permit for a deck in Baltimore?

In Baltimore City, yes, at any size. The City’s building code lists the IRC’s small-deck exemption as “Not Adopted”, and its drawings matrix asks for a scaled site plan, a side elevation and a top-view framing plan for a 1- or 2-family deck. Rooftop decks have their own rules, including sealed drawings and Planning design review. (City code §105)

In Baltimore County, a permit is required for decks more than 16 inches above the lowest grade or larger than 120 square feet, and for any deck in a County historic district, on the Landmarks List, in the floodplain or in the Critical Area. Decks under 600 square feet need a site plan; larger ones also need construction plans. (Baltimore County PAI) In Howard County, replacing only the deck boards is ordinary repair, but new handrails or guardrails need a permit. Confirm for your address.

What affects the cost of a deck?

Size, height and material set most of a deck’s cost. A low deck off a back door is a simpler build than a second-story deck with tall posts and stairs, and composite boards cost more than pressure-treated wood. The other main drivers:

• The existing frame. Re-decking a sound frame costs less than replacing rotted joists, posts or a ledger.
• Footings. New posts need new footings, and soft or sloped ground can mean deeper ones.
• Stairs and landings. Each flight adds stringers, treads, railings and footings.
• Railings. Wood rails, aluminum or composite systems and baluster style all differ.
• Access. Carrying lumber through a rowhouse or down an alley takes more time than a driveway delivery.
• Permits and drawings. City decks need a permit and scaled drawings at any size.

We give a written price after we’ve checked the frame and measured the site. Planning a patio under or beside the deck too? See our patios and walkways page.