New deck construction
A deck sized for how you'll use it and anchored deep enough that a Chippewa Valley winter can't move it.
The parts of a deck that decide how long it lasts are mostly out of sight: the footings, the posts and beams, the joists, and the way the deck connects to the house. Boards and railings are what people notice, but they're also the easiest things to replace later. A builder who spends time on the hidden parts is the one you want.
What goes into a new deck?
- Footings to frost depth. Wisconsin's deck code, Appendix B to the Uniform Dwelling Code, says footings must bear on solid ground below the frost line or at least 48 inches below finished grade. In Eau Claire, the footing holes are inspected before concrete is poured.
- A ledger that's attached to framing. On an attached deck, the ledger is bolted to the house's rim joist and flashed to shed water. The code doesn't allow hanging a ledger on brick or stone veneer or a masonry chimney; those houses get a freestanding deck instead.
- Joists and beams sized for the span. The state code's span tables are based on a 40 psf live load. Bigger spans need deeper joists, closer spacing or another beam.
- Boards, guards and stairs. Wood or composite decking, and railings and steps built to the state's dimensions.
- Permit and inspections. Usually at least footings, framing and final.
Which wood is common here?
| Material | Where it fits | Keep in mind |
|---|---|---|
| Treated pine | Framing on nearly every deck; lower-cost decking | Needs cleaning and a sealer or stain on a schedule; can check and cup |
| Cedar | Natural color, lighter weight | Softer surface; still needs a finish; framing is usually treated |
| Composite / PVC | Owners who don't want to stain | Higher cost; see composite decks |
Walkout and split-level homes
The river valleys around Eau Claire leave plenty of houses on sloped lots with a walkout lower level. A deck off the main floor on those houses can end up eight or ten feet in the air on the downhill side. Tall decks need bracing, larger posts, and a stair plan that lands somewhere sensible. Some owners use the space underneath for a patio, which raises the question of whether to keep water from dripping through.
Things to decide before the builder visits
- How many people you want to seat, and whether a grill, hot tub or fire table will sit on it
- Which way it faces and how much shade it gets
- Whether you might want a screened porch or roof later, so footings can be sized for it now
- Where the stairs should land, and whether you need a gate
What drives the cost?
- Size, height and shape
- Number of footings, levels and stair runs
- Decking and railing material
- Tear-off of an old deck, site access and permit work
Pricing comes from the builder after they've walked the yard, measured, and talked through materials and layout with you. We don't quote prices, and any figure you hear before a site visit is a ballpark at best.
Where we connect you with help
Common questions
How deep do deck footings go in Eau Claire?
Wisconsin's deck code requires footings on solid ground below the frost line or at least 48 inches below finished grade. The inspector checks the holes before concrete is poured.
Can I put a hot tub on a new deck?
Possibly, but a filled tub is far heavier than the loads standard span tables assume. The deck has to be designed for it. Tell the builder at the start.
Related services
- Composite and PVC decks
- Deck repair and replacement
- Railings and stairs
- Screened porches and covered decks
More background: Eau Claire deck guide.
Spongy boards, a railing that gives, or a deck you've sketched on a napkin?
Call now and a Chippewa Valley deck builder will help you figure out the next step.