Decks & Porches overview
A deck or porch is outdoor living space, but it is also a structure that holds people above the ground. What makes one safe and long-lasting is mostly hidden: the footings, the ledger connection to your house, the hardware, and the framing spacing.
Western Pennsylvania is hard on outdoor wood. Freeze-thaw heaves shallow footings, snow sits on decks for weeks, and constant moisture rots untreated wood and corrodes cheap fasteners. We build for that, with footings below frost depth and rated hardware throughout.
We build pressure-treated, composite, and PVC decks, covered porches with roofs tied into your house, and new railings and stairs for existing decks. If your old deck is past saving, we tear it out, haul it away, and start fresh.
What Our Deck and Porch Work Includes
- 01
New deck construction
We lay out the deck around how you will use it, then set footings, frame with pressure-treated lumber, and install decking, railings, and stairs. Permits are pulled where the township requires them.
- 02
Deck replacement
When boards are rotting or the framing is failing, we remove the old deck and rebuild. If the footings and framing are sound, sometimes only the surface and railings need replacing.
- 03
Covered porches
A porch roof needs real support, proper tie-in to the house, and flashing so water does not get behind your siding. We build front and back porches that look like they belong.
- 04
Railings
We install wood, composite, aluminum, and cable-style railings at the correct height and baluster spacing, anchored to the framing so they stay solid when someone leans on them.
- 05
Stairs and landings
Stairs need consistent rise and run, solid stringers, and a firm landing at the bottom. We build new stairs or replace wobbly ones so they are safe in rain and snow.
Signs Your Deck or Porch Needs Work
- ✓ Boards are soft, cracked, or spongy when you step on them.
- ✓ The railing moves when you push on it.
- ✓ The deck is pulling away from the house or the ledger has no flashing.
- ✓ Posts are rotted at the base or footings have heaved or sunk.
- ✓ Fasteners and hangers are rusted or missing.
- ✓ You want more usable outdoor space and the current deck is too small or poorly laid out.
What Drives the Cost of a Deck or Porch
Every deck and porch is built to the yard, the house, and how you plan to use it, so there is no honest flat price without seeing the site. These factors make the biggest difference.
- Size and height
- Larger decks need more footings, framing, and decking. A deck high off the ground needs taller posts, more bracing, and longer stairs than one close to grade.
- Decking material
- Pressure-treated lumber costs least upfront but needs regular sealing. Composite and PVC cost more but resist rot and need far less upkeep over the years.
- Railings and stairs
- Railing style can be a large part of the cost, from simple wood to aluminum or cable. Multiple stair runs, landings, and wide steps all add materials and labor.
- Roof or cover
- A covered porch adds roof framing, sheathing, roofing, flashing, and often a ceiling and lighting. How the new roof ties into your existing roofline affects complexity.
- Site and tear-off
- Sloped yards, hard digging, and tight access make footings and framing harder. Removing and disposing of an old deck adds labor before the new build begins.
The fastest way to a real number is a free on-site estimate. You’ll get a written scope you can compare line by line. Prefer to talk first? Contact Leveled Up Construction or call (724) 718-3939.
