Close to five feet of snow in an average year

Deck Builders in Lakewood, CO

Frames, footings and covers sized for the heavier snow along the foothills, with surfaces that are easy to clear.

Free on-site estimates
Written, itemized quotes
Footings set below Aurora's 36-inch frost line

Lakewood Decks Have to Handle Real Winters

Deck Builders in Lakewood work right up against the foothills, and the weather shows it. Climate normals for 1991 to 2020 cited on Wikipedia put Lakewood's average snowfall at 58.0 inches a year across about 22 snowy days. The city sits at about 5,656 feet, and Green Mountain on its west side rises to 6,854 feet. That combination of altitude, snow and strong sun is what we design around on every Lakewood project.

Framing for snow, not just people

A deck carries foot traffic, furniture and grills, but in Lakewood the bigger test is a deep, wet spring snowfall sitting on the boards for days. We follow the local design criteria for snow and deck loads, size beams and joists so the frame stays stiff, and set footings at the depth the inspector expects so frost cannot lift them. If the plan includes a roof, a pergola with a solid top or a louvered cover, snow load becomes the main design driver for the posts, beams and connections.

Surfaces you can shovel

Some boards handle a shovel better than others. A few practical points we cover with Lakewood homeowners:

Composite and PVC tolerate plastic shovels well; metal blades can scratch
Ice melt should be a product the board maker approves, since some salts stain or damage surfaces
Board direction can be set so meltwater drains off rather than pooling at the door
A covered section over the main path keeps the route to the yard clear all winter

Older houses than the city itself

Lakewood did not incorporate until June 24, 1969, and it already had more than 90,000 residents on day one; the 1970 census counted 92,743. In other words, a large share of Lakewood's homes were built before the city existed, and many decks on those houses have been rebuilt, patched or added onto more than once. When we look at an existing deck here, we check whether the ledger is bolted and flashed, whether posts meet the 6x6 minimum in the DCA 6 guide, and whether the footings are deep enough. If the bones are good, a resurface and new railing may be all you need.

Foothills sun

The EPA estimates UV exposure climbs about 2% for every 1,000 feet of elevation. At Lakewood's height that works out to roughly 11% more UV than at sea level, by our arithmetic. Wood decks gray and check faster under that sun, so stain needs renewing more often. If you choose wood, we will recommend a penetrating stain and a realistic recoat interval. If you would rather skip that chore, capped boards with UV-stable shells hold color longer.

Hail and soil

Hail season in Colorado ramps up in late April and May and peaks in early to mid-June, according to Colorado State University data. The Colorado Geological Survey calls swelling clay the state's most significant geologic hazard. Both are reasons we pick materials carefully and keep water away from footings.

Free estimates in Lakewood

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. We will look at your existing deck or the spot where a new one will go and give you a written quote with framing details spelled out.

Lakewood Conditions Worth Knowing

Heavier snowfall. Lakewood averages about 58.0 inches of snow a year over roughly 21.7 snowy days, with 17.54 inches of total precipitation (1991 to 2020 normals).
Foothills elevation. The city sits at about 5,656 feet, and Green Mountain in its far west-central area reaches 6,854 feet.
A city of 90,000 at birth. Lakewood incorporated on June 24, 1969, with more than 90,000 residents already living there; the 1970 census counted 92,743, so many homes predate the city.
Smaller households, many renters. Census QuickFacts lists 58.1% owner-occupied housing, 2.20 people per household and 17.9% of residents age 65 or older in Lakewood (ACS 2020 to 2024).
Extreme temperature range. Lakewood's record low is minus 26 F and its record high is 104 F, a span that drives expansion and contraction in deck boards and fasteners.

Our Services in Lakewood, CO

Lakewood Questions

Can my existing Lakewood deck hold a pergola or roof?

Often not without changes. A roof adds weight and, more importantly, collects snow, so the posts and footings under it must be designed for that load. We usually run new posts down to their own footings rather than loading an old frame.

What is the best way to clear snow off a composite deck?

Use a plastic shovel or a broom, push along the boards rather than across them, and use only ice melt the manufacturer approves. Avoid metal blades and rock salt.

How often does a wood deck need stain at Lakewood's elevation?

More often than at lower elevations because UV is stronger here. Plan to inspect every year and recoat when water stops beading or color fades, which can be every two to three years on sunny exposures.

My deck came with the house. How do I know it was built right?

Look underneath. Lag-screwed or bolted ledgers with flashing, solid posts on concrete footings, and joist hangers at every connection are good signs. Nails only, no flashing and posts set on blocks are warning signs. We inspect and tell you what we see.

Free Estimates in Lakewood, CO

Free estimates and snow-ready deck plans for Lakewood homes.

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