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Deck construction project near Portland, OR

Exterior Services

Deck Building in Portland, OR

New decks built with the ledger flashing, footings, and materials Oregon's wet season actually requires — not a design borrowed from a drier climate.

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What Makes a Deck Last in This Climate

A deck in the Portland metro deals with nine months of intermittent rain a year, and the single biggest failure point we see on decks built without that in mind is the ledger board — the point where an attached deck bolts into the house. If that connection isn't flashed correctly, water gets behind it and works its way into the house framing over months and years, often unnoticed until it's a real repair instead of a quick fix. We treat ledger flashing as the step that determines whether a deck lasts twenty years or five, not a corner to cut for speed.

Material choice matters here too. Composite decking has become the more common request for Portland-area homeowners because it doesn't rot and doesn't need the annual staining that pressure-treated wood does to keep water out — a real advantage in a climate that doesn't give lumber much time to dry out between storms.

Good Fits for a New Deck

  • Replacing an aging or rotting deck that's reached the end of its life
  • Adding outdoor living space for entertaining or relaxing
  • A deck attached to the house off a kitchen, dining area, or primary bedroom
  • A freestanding deck for a detached part of the yard

Our Deck Building Process

  1. Design and site assessment. We evaluate the yard, house connection point, and layout before finalizing a plan.
  2. Permitting. We pull the permits your specific project needs.
  3. Footings. Set to the depth your soil and local code require for a stable base.
  4. Framing and ledger flashing. The house connection gets properly flashed before any decking goes down.
  5. Decking and railings. Installed to code, with proper drainage gaps between boards.
  6. Final walkthrough. We walk the finished deck with you before the job is done.

What Affects the Cost

Size, whether the deck is attached or freestanding, decking material (composite costs more up front than pressure-treated wood but needs less upkeep), and railing style are the biggest cost factors. Site conditions — slope, existing structure removal, footing depth — also play a role. We'll assess your yard and give you a real number.

Why Portland Homeowners Choose Us for Deck Building

All City Exteriors LLC is licensed, bonded, and insured (CCB #253959). We don't shortcut ledger flashing or footing depth to save time — those are the details that keep a deck from becoming a repair job in a few years.

We build decks throughout Portland and nearby West Linn — if you're outside either area, give us a call and we'll tell you honestly whether your property is in range.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a permit for a new deck in the Portland area?
Most decks attached to the house, or freestanding decks above a certain height, require a permit in Portland and the surrounding cities — requirements vary slightly by jurisdiction. We handle the permitting for your specific project as part of the job.
What's the most important part of a deck to get right in this climate?
Ledger board flashing — the point where an attached deck connects to the house. If that flashing isn't installed correctly, rain works its way behind it and into the house framing over time, which is one of the most common (and expensive) deck-related repairs we see. We treat this as the step that determines whether a deck lasts, not a step to rush.
Composite vs. wood decking — which holds up better to Oregon rain?
Composite decking doesn't rot, doesn't need annual staining, and holds up well to our wet season with minimal maintenance — it's what we recommend for most Portland-area decks. Pressure-treated wood costs less up front but needs regular staining/sealing to keep moisture out, especially in shaded yards that don't dry out between storms.
How deep do deck footings need to be here?
Footing depth depends on your local frost line and soil conditions, which we confirm as part of the permit process — getting this right is what keeps a deck from heaving or settling unevenly over time.
Can you build a deck attached to my house, or only freestanding?
Both — attached decks (ledger-mounted to the house) and freestanding decks are common requests, and we'll help you figure out which makes sense for your yard and layout.
How long does it take to build a deck?
A typical residential deck takes about one to two weeks depending on size, material, and whether it's attached or freestanding — longer if permitting or engineering is involved. We'll give you a real timeline during your estimate.

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Thinking About a New Deck?

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