Deck Rebuild

Decks in the Duluth–Hermantown area take a beating. Between heavy snow loads, freeze-thaw cycles from October through April, and the intense UV exposure of our short summers, an exterior structure in Northern Minnesota has to be built right or it won’t last. The original deck had reached the end of its life — the framing showed rot, the decking was warped and splitting, and the railing was no longer safe. We tore it out and built new from the ground up.

Project Type

Complete Deck Rebuild

Location

Hermantown, MN

Timeline

1–2 weeks

Estimated Cost Range

$8,000–$15,000

Scope

Full teardown and rebuild from footings

Key Features

Pressure-treated framing, aluminum balusters, code-compliant railing

Before & After

The original deck was in rough shape. Rotted decking boards, a collapsed railing section, and structural framing that had been compromised by years of moisture contact. Rather than trying to sister in new wood and patch over the problems, a full rebuild was the right call.

Before

After

Built for the Northland

Everything about this deck was specified for our climate. Footings set below the 42-inch frost line so the structure won’t heave during spring thaw. Pressure-treated lumber rated for ground contact on all framing members. Corrosion-resistant structural screws and joist hangers at every connection. And the railing system uses aluminum balusters that won’t rust, rot, or need painting year after year.

• Footings: Concrete piers set below the 42″ Minnesota frost line
• Framing: Pressure-treated dimensional lumber, ACQ-rated for ground contact
• Decking: Pressure-treated decking boards with proper gapping for drainage and expansion
• Railing: Wood top and bottom rails with powder-coated aluminum balusters
• Hardware: Hot-dipped galvanized and stainless steel connectors throughout
• Stairs: Full-width stair with proper rise/run to current IRC code

Construction Progress

A look at the project from teardown through completion. We run clean, organized job sites because it matters — for safety, for efficiency, and because it tells you something about how the crew approaches the work.