Deck builder & screened porches in Charlotte, NC.
A deck or a porch changes how you use your home. We build new decks and screened or covered porches, repair worn ones and replace those that have reached the end of their life, for homes across the Charlotte metro area.
New deck or repair?
If the framing is sound and the boards, railings or stair treads are worn, a repair or resurfacing may be all you need. If posts are rotted, the ledger where the deck meets the house is damaged, or the structure moves when you walk on it, replacing the structure is the safer plan, and we say so plainly.
Tell us what you see, and send a few photos from above and from underneath if you can reach the framing. Rot usually shows first where wood touches the ground, around fasteners and at the house connection.
What goes into a good deck
Footings: The deck is only as stable as what holds it up. Footing size and depth depend on the load and the soil.
Framing and ledger: Joists, beams and the attachment to the house, with flashing so water does not get behind the siding.
Decking and railings: Pressure-treated wood, composite or another material, chosen for the look and the upkeep you want.
Stairs and rails: Safe, consistent steps and railings where they are needed.
Materials: what to weigh
Pressure-treated lumber costs less up front and needs regular cleaning and sealing. Composite and PVC boards cost more at the start and ask for less upkeep. The structure underneath is the same either way, and it is the part to get right.
Sun, shade, pets, kids and how you entertain all matter. Tell us how you will use the space and we will talk through the options that fit.
Screened, covered or enclosed porch?
Screened porch: A roof, framed walls and screen panels. Open air with the bugs and pollen kept out.
Covered porch or patio: A roof over an open space for shade and rain protection.
Sunroom or enclosed porch: Walls, windows and often heating and cooling. Closer to a room addition, so see our additions page.
What a porch build involves
A screened porch is a small building. It needs footings, framing, a roof tied into the house roof without leaks, flooring suited to the weather, a screen system and a door. Where it meets the house is the detail that matters most, because water that gets behind the wall causes problems later.
Many porches start as a deck. The deck framing and footings need to handle the added weight of a roof, and if they do not, they are reinforced or replaced. A quick look underneath will tell us. Electrical for lights and a ceiling fan is common and has to be done by a licensed electrician, so plan where the fan, lights and outlets go before framing.
Screens, floors and finishing details
The screen itself is a choice. Standard fiberglass screen works for most porches, and heavier pet-resistant screen holds up better with dogs and kids. Screen panels are framed into the openings so they can be replaced if one tears.
Floors need to handle moisture and temperature swings. Common options are treated wood, composite decking, tile or a finished concrete slab. A tongue-and-groove wood ceiling, a ceiling fan and outdoor-rated lights finish the space. Think about door swings and where furniture will go so you do not lose wall space you wanted.
Deck and porch permits in Mecklenburg County
Mecklenburg County Code Enforcement says adding, replacing or upgrading a deck typically requires a permit, and that decks of any size are inspected for footing size and depth, girder and joist spans, attachments and railings. It also lists adding or converting a room, such as a porch to a sunroom, among the projects that typically need a permit, and says structural or electrical work needs one regardless of cost.
North Carolina law carves out one exception: replacing the pickets, railings, stair treads and decking boards of an existing deck does not need a permit when the structure meets the same rules. Replacing posts, beams or joists is structural, so it does.
Sources: Mecklenburg County, Permit, Please!, County residential FAQ (PDF), N.C.G.S. 160D-1110. Rules change and every property is different, so we confirm what applies at your address before the scope is final.
What to send when you get in touch
Your address or town and photos of the yard or existing deck or porch
New build, repair, replacement or deck-to-porch conversion
Approximate size, height off the ground and any stairs
Materials you like and your preferred timing
Decks & Porches: common questions
Something else? Call (704) 977-6512 or send us a note.
Do I need a permit to build a deck in Charlotte?
According to Mecklenburg County Code Enforcement, adding, replacing or upgrading a deck typically requires a permit, and every deck is inspected. Replacing only boards, railings or stair treads is treated differently under North Carolina law. We confirm what applies to your address.
Can you repair my existing deck instead of replacing it?
Often, yes, if the framing and footings are sound. If the structure is damaged, we will tell you honestly and explain why a repair would not hold up.
What is the best decking material?
It depends on how much upkeep you want, how long you plan to stay and the look you like. Pressure-treated wood costs less up front. Composite and PVC cost more and ask for less maintenance.
Can you turn my deck into a screened porch?
Often, yes. The deck framing and footings must carry the roof. We look underneath and tell you whether they can be kept or need to be replaced.
What is the difference between a screened porch and a sunroom?
A screened porch is open air with screens. A sunroom has windows and walls and is treated as a room addition.
What should I send for a deck or porch quote?
Photos of the yard and the back of the house, rough size, the materials you are considering and whether this is new or a replacement.