Deck Builders in Tacoma, WA

Deck builders in Tacoma work in a climate where wet weather sets the rules. Tacoma averages about 40.8 inches of rain a year spread over roughly 155 days with measurable precipitation, and November, December and January each bring about 6 inches. Summers are short and dry. That pattern decides how a deck should be built here: what the framing is made of, how it attaches to the house, how the boards are spaced, and whether you want a roof over part of it. We build, repair and refinish decks in Tacoma and the South Sound with that rain in mind.

Rain, rot and the parts you cannot see

Most decks here do not fail at the surface. They fail at the ledger board where the deck meets the house, at the tops of joists where water sits under the boards, and at the bottoms of posts. A deck can look fine from the patio door while the framing underneath is soft. When we build new, the ledger is flashed and bolted, wood joists get a cap of joist tape, posts sit on concrete footings with standoff bases instead of being buried, and hangers and fasteners are rated for treated lumber and wet exposure. When we look at an older deck, we probe those same spots first.

Moss, algae and shade

Tall firs, north-facing yards and long gray winters give moss and algae plenty of time to grow. Wood decks turn green and slick; composite decks can grow a film too, especially in shade. Seattle Public Utilities' moss fact sheet notes that moss does not thrive in hot, sunny, dry spots, that pressure washing works for decks, and that some moss products contain zinc or copper sulfates that are toxic to aquatic life and should be kept out of storm drains. We use those points when we choose materials, plan board gaps and recommend cleaning schedules.

Sloped lots and views

Tacoma rises from sea level at Commencement Bay to about 500 feet, and large parts of the city look out at the water or toward Mount Rainier. Many homes in North Tacoma, the North Slope, Northeast Tacoma and along the Narrows sit on hillsides, which means taller decks, longer posts, more stairs and guards. A tall deck needs footings sized for the soil and the load, bracing, and railings that meet code without blocking the view. Cable, glass and slim aluminum railings are common choices for that reason.

Covered decks for a longer season

Because the rain is steady rather than heavy, a roof over a deck turns it into usable space most of the year. A solid roof, a clear polycarbonate cover that keeps light in, or a pergola with a louvered top are all options. A covered deck needs a permit in Tacoma and a plan for where the roof water goes, so we include gutters and downspouts in the design.

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Permits and inspections in Tacoma

Tacoma's Planning and Development Services issues building permits. The city's What Requires a Permit tip sheet says a deck can skip a permit only if it is 200 square feet or less, no more than 30 inches above grade at any point, not attached to the house and not serving an exit door. Attached decks, taller decks and covered decks need a permit. Neighboring cities and Pierce County have their own permit offices, so we confirm the rules for your address, prepare the drawings and schedule the inspections.

Earthquakes and lateral loads

The Puget Sound region is earthquake country. A U.S. Geological Survey fact sheet describes a plausible magnitude 7.1 earthquake on the Tacoma Fault Zone and notes a quake of comparable size struck the southern Puget Sound about 1,100 years ago. The residential code's deck provisions include a lateral load connection, using hold-down tension devices that tie the deck joists back into the house framing so the deck cannot pull away from the wall. We include those connectors where the code calls for them.

What every deck project includes

• A site visit to measure, check the slope and look at the house framing
• A written, itemized quote listing size, materials, railings, stairs and permit work
• Permit drawings and inspection scheduling
• Footings, posts and framing sized for the height and load
• Flashing at the ledger and drainage planned for the boards and any roof
• Cleanup and a walk-through with you when the work is done

Tacoma is home base, from the Stadium District and North End to the South End, the East Side and Northeast Tacoma. We also work across the South Sound: University Place, Fircrest, Lakewood, Steilacoom and DuPont to the south and west; Gig Harbor across the Narrows; Fife, Milton, Edgewood, Puyallup, Sumner and Bonney Lake to the east; Federal Way and Auburn to the north; and the unincorporated communities of Parkland, Spanaway and Graham. Each city has its own permit office, and Pierce County handles permits in Parkland, Spanaway and Graham, so we check the rules for your address before drawing plans. Hillside lots, shoreline areas and steep slopes can also bring extra review, which we plan into the schedule. Each area page covers what applies there.