Pressure-Treated Wood Decks
From $30/sqft installed
The most affordable way to add real outdoor living space to your home. Built with southern yellow pine, stainless hardware, and full permitting - ready for grills, chairs, and Carolina summers.
Typical Project
200 - 400 sqft
backyard deck
Build time
5 - 10 days on site
Warranty
2 years workmanship
Why Pressure-Treated Wood?
Pressure-treated southern yellow pine has been the workhorse of American deck construction for 40 years for a reason. It is the lowest upfront cost of any real outdoor-rated lumber, it is structurally stiff under load, it accepts stain and paint, and a kid dropping a toy truck on it does not dent the surface the way some softer composite boards can.
For a first deck, a rental property, or a homeowner who wants to invest more in deck size than in deck material, pressure-treated is almost always the right starting point. You can always stain or paint down the road to match your taste, and the repair ecosystem is simple - every hardware store in Union and Mecklenburg County stocks replacement boards that match what we install.
The trade-off is maintenance. Pine needs stain or seal every 2 to 3 years in the Carolinas because UV and humidity cycle the boards aggressively. Our staining service handles that on a schedule if you would rather not.
What Every Build Includes
Graded Lumber
Ground-contact-rated southern yellow pine for posts, beams, and joists. Above-ground rating for deck boards and rails.
Stainless Hardware
Stainless or triple-dipped hot-dipped-galvanized joist hangers, lag bolts, and deck screws. Zinc-only fasteners corrode in modern PT lumber - we do not use them.
Permit & Inspections
We pull the building permit, submit drawings and the footing schedule, and coordinate the footing, framing, and final inspections with your county.
Concrete Footings
Poured concrete footings below the frost line with galvanized post bases. No post-in-dirt shortcuts - that is the fastest way to rot a deck from the bottom up.
Rails & Stairs
Code-compliant railing at 36 or 42 inches with a 4-inch baluster-gap max. Stairs built with stringers at 36-inch centers for a solid walk.
Final Cleanup
We haul away every scrap, magnet-sweep for dropped fasteners, and leave the yard tidier than we found it. Nothing goes in your trash can.
Recent Project
Aged pressure-treated boards due for replacement
Fresh southern yellow pine, code-compliant framing
Sample project imagery. Real project photos will be added as we complete builds.
Sample Sizes & Costs
Rough math at $30 per square foot installed. Actual quotes depend on height off grade, stair count, and railing style.
Small
12 x 12
144 square feet
$4,320
~$4,320 installed
Most Common
16 x 20
320 square feet
$9,600
~$9,600 installed
Large
20 x 24
480 square feet
$14,400
~$14,400 installed
What changes the final number?
Deck height off grade (higher decks need taller posts and more footings), stair count and stair run length, railing style, and whether the existing structure needs removal first. A free on-site measurement nails down the exact quote.
Our 4-Step Process
Measure & Design
Free on-site visit. We measure the space, check grade and ledger conditions, and draw a deck layout you can sign off on.
Permit Pull
We submit drawings, the footing schedule, and pay the permit fee. Typical issue time in Union and Mecklenburg is 1 to 2 weeks.
Build
Footings day one, framing over days two to four, boards and rails to close out. One crew on site from start to finish.
Inspect & Hand Off
Final inspection by the county, cleanup, and a walk-through with you. Balance due at hand-off - Zelle, Venmo, or cash.
Warranty
- 2-year workmanship warranty on all framing, fastening, and finish carpentry we install. If it fails because of how we built it, we fix it.
- Lumber mill warranty on pressure-treated material against rot and termite damage - typically a limited lifetime warranty from the treater, transferable to you at close-out.
- Written punch-list sign-off at the final walk - any items flagged get closed out before the balance is collected.
Frequently Asked
How long does a pressure-treated deck last in the Carolinas?
A pressure-treated pine deck built to current code with stainless or hot-dipped-galvanized fasteners typically lasts 15 to 25 years before the framing needs major attention. The deck boards themselves usually need replacement sooner - around 12 to 18 years - because they take direct sun, foot traffic, and rain. Keeping the boards stained or sealed every 2 to 3 years extends that window significantly.
Do I need a building permit for a new deck?
Yes. Every new deck attached to a home in North Carolina and South Carolina requires a building permit because it is a load-bearing structure. Our team pulls the permit as part of the project, submits drawings and the footing schedule, and coordinates the framing and final inspections with the local building department. You do not have to file anything yourself.
What lumber grade do you use?
We build with southern yellow pine pressure-treated to Ground Contact rating for all posts, beams, and joists that see moisture exposure, and Above Ground rating for deck boards and railing components. Fasteners are stainless steel or triple-dipped hot-dipped-galvanized - standard-duty zinc fasteners react with modern pressure-treated chemistry and corrode early, so we do not use them.
When can I stain a new pressure-treated deck?
Wait 6 to 12 months after installation. Fresh pressure-treated lumber comes from the mill still wet with preservative, and stain will not penetrate until it dries out. A common test: sprinkle water on the board. If it beads, the wood is not ready. If it soaks in within 5 minutes, you can stain. Most Marvin and Waxhaw decks we build are ready by the following spring.
How long does construction take?
A typical 200 to 400 square foot pressure-treated deck takes 5 to 10 days of on-site work once the permit is issued. Footings go in day one, framing follows over the next few days, boards and railings finish the job. Weather and permit-issue timelines drive the total calendar - we schedule your start date after the permit is in hand.
Our Deck Services
Deck repair, new builds in pressure-treated or Trex composite, staining, and frameless glass railings across south Charlotte and northern York County, SC.
- Deck Repair & Board Replacement
- Pressure-Treated Wood Decks You are here
- Trex Composite Decking
- Premium Composite Decks (Trex Transcend)
- Deck Staining & Sealing
- Glass Railings for Decks
Cities We Serve
Every city within about 25 minutes of our shop in Marvin, NC (28173). If you do not see yours, call us - we may still be able to help.
- Marvin, NC
- Waxhaw, NC ~5 min
- Weddington, NC ~7 min
- Matthews, NC ~10 min
- Ballantyne, NC ~10 min
- Fort Mill, SC ~10 min
- Indian Land, SC ~12 min
- South Charlotte, NC ~13 min
- Tega Cay, SC ~15 min
- Providence, NC ~16 min
- Pineville, NC ~17 min
- Lake Wylie, SC ~20 min
- SouthPark, NC ~20 min
- Myers Park, NC ~23 min
Ready to get started?
Give us a call or request a free estimate. We'll get back to you fast - usually within 15 minutes.
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