Composite & Wood Decks →
Single- or multi-level decks in low-maintenance composite/PVC or natural cedar, with cable, metal, or glass railings.
Outdoor Living
Decks, Porches & Outdoor Living in the Twin Cities
Composite decks, screened and 3-season porches, sunrooms, pergolas, and paver patios — built on code-deep frost footings to stand up to Minnesota winters.
Design-Build4.9★ / 72 reviewsBBB A+MN GC #BC760638Code-deep frost footings20+ years experience
Minnesota summers are short — a great outdoor space makes the most of every one. We design and build decks and porches that look incredible and survive our winters, starting underground with frost footings dug to 42″ or deeper so your deck never heaves.
What We Build Outside
Dreaming about your backyard?
Let’s design an outdoor space that fits your yard, your budget, and how you like to relax.
Recent Outdoor Projects
Materials Built for Minnesota
Composite & PVC Decking
No staining or sealing, resists rot and insects, and lasts 25–50+ years — the low-maintenance favorite for our freeze-thaw climate.
Cedar & Wood
Beautiful natural character at a lower upfront cost — with annual sealing it’s a classic; we’ll set honest expectations on upkeep.
Railings & Lighting
Cable, metal, and glass railings plus integrated step and post lighting — wired in-house by 3 Rivers Electric.
Frost-Depth Footings
Minnesota requires footings to frost depth — 42″ in the metro and deeper up north — so your structure never heaves.
What to Expect — Our Process
From design through final inspection, one team builds it right — starting with footings deep enough to outlast Minnesota winters.
1
Design consultation
We look at your yard, sun, and how you’ll use the space, and talk budget.
2
Design & 3D plan
A real plan and layout so you can picture the finished space.
3
Proposal & contract
A clear, fixed scope and price — materials, railings, lighting, and all.
4
Permit & plan review
We pull the deck/porch permit and handle plan review.
5
Frost footings
Footings dug and poured to frost depth (42″+), belled at the base per code.
6
Footing inspection
The city inspects footings before we build — we schedule it.
7
Build
Framing, decking, railings, stairs, and any lighting or screening.
8
Final inspection & walk
Final inspection, a walkthrough with you, and your written warranty.
Typical Timeline
Most decks and porches take about 1–3 weeks once permitted, weather permitting.
Permits
Decks over 30″ high or attached to the house need a permit — we pull it. Licensed MN contractor #BC760638.
Frost Footings
MN requires footings to frost depth — ~42″ in the metro — with a footing inspection before framing.
Plan Ahead
Want to add a porch later? We frame the deck to carry a future 3- or 4-season room.
Done Right the First Time
Built to Outlast Winter
Code-deep frost footings and proper flashing at the ledger — the failure points on cheap decks — done right.
One Accountable Team
Design, build, and lighting (3 Rivers Electric) under one roof, coordinated by one lead.
Honest Material Advice
We’ll walk you through composite vs. cedar so you choose with eyes open on cost and upkeep.
Support Before, During & After
We answer the phone during the build and stand behind the work with a written warranty.
Outdoor Living FAQ
Do I need a permit for a deck in Minnesota?
Usually yes — if it’s over 30″ above grade or attached to the house. We pull the permit and handle plan review and inspections.
How deep do deck footings have to be?
To frost depth — about 42″ in the Twin Cities metro (deeper up north) — so winter frost can’t heave your deck. A footing inspection is required before we build.
Composite or cedar — which should I choose?
Composite/PVC costs more up front but needs no staining and lasts 25–50+ years; cedar is cheaper and beautiful but needs annual sealing and lasts ~10–15. We help you weigh it.
Can I add a screened or 4-season porch later?
Yes — if you plan ahead, we frame the deck to carry a future porch or sunroom so you don’t rebuild.
Do you do lighting and electrical?
Yes — deck, step, and post lighting (and any outlets) are wired in-house by our sister company 3 Rivers Electric.
How long does a deck take to build?
Most projects run about 1–3 weeks once the permit is issued, weather permitting.
Design your outdoor space
Book a design consultation — we’ll turn your backyard ideas into a plan and a fixed price.