What we build
A deck has to do three things in DFW: stay flat on shifting clay, survive 100-degree summers without warping, and look right against a 2-story brick house. Most of the decks we build are between 200 and 600 square feet, single or multi-level, attached to the house via a properly flashed ledger board.
Materials
Cedar (#1 grade)
Our default for clients who want the look and don't mind re-staining. Cedar grays beautifully when left alone, or stays a warm honey-brown when stained every 2–3 years. ~$50–$70 per square foot installed. Lifespan: 18–22 years with regular maintenance.
Pressure-treated pine
Budget option. Same install method, lower material cost. Expect more knots and more warping per year, especially in the first summer as the lumber dries. $35–$50 per square foot installed. Lifespan: 12–15 years.
Composite (Trex Transcend, TimberTech AZEK)
Most popular for clients who want zero maintenance. We install Trex Transcend and TimberTech AZEK lines. Both have 25-year limited residential warranties and run $80–$120 per square foot installed. Hidden fasteners on the wear surface for a clean look. Lighter colors only for full-sun decks (see FAQ on heat).
Our build method
- Footings: Engineered to local code. Most of our DFW decks use 12-inch concrete piers to 36-inch depth (below frost line + below the seasonal swing of clay). Bell-bottom footings for tall decks.
- Posts: 6x6 pressure-treated to the deck framing. Concealed in cedar wraps if visible.
- Beam + joist: Engineered LVL or 2x10 PT lumber depending on span. Joist hangers galvanized, not just toe-nailed.
- Ledger board: Through-bolted into the rim joist of the house, flashed with copper or stainless step-flashing — no caulk-and-pray, no lag screws into brick.
- Decking: Hidden-fastener system on composite. Stainless ring-shank or trim-head screws on cedar/pine (no nails on decking — wood expands and pops nails).
- Railing: Code-compliant 36" guardrail (42" if more than 30" off grade). Cedar, composite, or aluminum balusters depending on design.
Multi-level and custom decks
About a third of our DFW deck builds are multi-level — usually a main deck off the back of the house with a step-down to a lower platform around a pool or fire pit. We design these per-property; there's no template. Pergola integration (see our pergolas service), built-in benches, and integrated lighting are all add-ons we do regularly.
What does a deck cost in DFW?
Real ranges from our 2024–2025 build log:
- 10x12 cedar single-level (120 sq ft): $7,500 – $10,500
- 16x20 cedar single-level (320 sq ft): $18,000 – $24,000
- 16x20 Trex composite single-level (320 sq ft): $28,000 – $36,000
- Multi-level cedar with steps + railing (450 sq ft total): $32,000 – $44,000
- Multi-level composite with railing + lighting (450 sq ft): $48,000 – $62,000
Add roughly $3,000–$8,000 for a built-in cedar pergola, $1,500–$3,500 for integrated step + post lighting, and $4,000–$8,000 for a built-in bench-and-planter.
Want the full breakdown? Read our Cedar vs Pine materials guide — most of the same logic applies to deck material choice.