Custom wood decks
A deck sized to the way you use the yard, framed to carry North Idaho snow and set on footings that won't shift.
What you stand on is the smallest part of a deck. The footings, posts, beams, joists and the ledger connection to the house carry the load and decide whether the deck is still solid in twenty years. The boards and railings can always be swapped later; a bad foundation can't be fixed without starting over.
What does a well-built deck include here?
- Footings to frost depth. Coeur d'Alene, Post Falls and Kootenai County all list a 24-inch minimum frost depth. Post Falls allows shallower footings, down to 12 inches, only for freestanding decks that use an approved footing type.
- A bolted, flashed ledger. An attached deck hangs off a ledger fastened to the house framing and flashed so water can't get behind it. Post Falls requires treated ledgers at least 2x8 with hot-dipped galvanized or stainless fasteners.
- Framing sized for the span. Joists and beams sized from the code span tables, with hangers and screws rated for treated wood.
- Lateral support. Post Falls requires lateral support for all decks, with hold-downs shown on the framing plan, so the deck can't rack away from the house.
- Guards, stairs and inspections. Railings and stairs built to code, with footing and framing inspections as part of the permit.
Which wood makes sense?
| Material | Where it fits | Keep in mind |
|---|---|---|
| Pressure-treated lumber | Framing on nearly every deck; lower-cost decking | Needs cleaning and stain; checks as it dries in summer |
| Cedar | A warm, natural look on the walking surface | Softer and dents more easily; needs a finish to hold color |
| Composite or PVC | Owners who don't want to stain | Higher upfront cost; see composite decking |
Building on a slope
Houses on the hills above downtown Coeur d'Alene, around Fernan and along the lake often have a main floor well above the back yard. A deck off that floor can end up 10 feet or more in the air on the low side. Tall posts need bracing and bigger footings, the stair run gets long, and Post Falls notes that engineering is typically required once the walking surface is more than 12 feet above grade. Ask your builder how they'll handle height, where the stairs will land, and whether the space under the deck can become a covered patio.
Things to decide before the builder comes out
- How many people, and will there be a grill, a hot tub or a dining table?
- Which way does it face? A south or west deck gets strong afternoon sun in July.
- Might you want a roof later? Sizing posts and footings for it now is far easier.
- Do you need a gate at the stairs for kids or a dog?
What drives the cost?
- Square footage, height and number of levels
- Decking and railing material
- Number of footings and how hard the ground is to dig
- Stairs, demolition of an old deck, permits and access to the back yard
Every deck is priced by the builder after a site visit, once they've measured, looked at the grade and the house wall, and talked through materials with you. We don't give prices, and any figure you hear before that visit is a ballpark at best.
Where we connect you with help
Common questions
How deep do deck footings go in Coeur d'Alene?
The city lists a 24-inch minimum frost depth, and so do Post Falls and Kootenai County. Your building department and builder will confirm the requirement for your lot.
Can I put a hot tub on a new deck?
Often, but a filled tub is very heavy, and the deck has to be designed for it with extra footings and framing. Mention it at the first visit.
Related services
More background: Coeur d'Alene deck guide.
Spongy boards, a loose rail, or a lake-view deck you keep putting off?
Call and a local deck builder will talk through what your deck needs next.