Deck Builders in Draper, UT

Deck Builders in Draper deal with some of the most varied ground in the Salt Lake Valley. The city occupies the far southeast corner of the valley at roughly 4,751 feet, with the Wasatch Range to the east and the Traverse Mountains to the south. That setting gives many homes long views west across the valley, and it also means plenty of decks are elevated, built off walkout basements, or perched on lots that fall away fast. We design and build composite and wood decks, covered decks and pergolas, and the railings and stairs that go with them.

What a sloped lot changes

Footings near a drop

Draper's geotechnical engineering standards ask engineers to address foundation setbacks from the top and bottom of slopes. A deck footing close to a drop deserves the same respect. We keep footings back from the edge where we can, and size them for the soil we actually find.

Tall posts

A deck 10 or 12 feet off the ground needs more than vertical support. Knee braces or engineered lateral connections keep it from racking side to side.

Long stairs

On a steep grade, a stair run can be longer than the deck is wide. Intermediate landings make it safer and easier to climb, and they let the stairs follow the hill instead of fighting it.

Geologic hazards on the map

Draper defines geologic hazards as surface fault rupture, liquefaction, slope stability, landslide, debris flow and rockfall. The city has drawn Fault Activity Study Areas around mapped faults, generally reaching 300 feet on the downthrown side and 150 feet on the upthrown side of a mapped trace. When a parcel goes through a geologic study, the owner records a notice disclosing that report. If your title paperwork mentions one, share it with us before design starts. The Building Office can tell you whether it affects an addition such as a deck.

Wind off the Point of the Mountain

The Point of the Mountain, at Draper's south end, is known as one of the best wind areas in the country for hang gliding and paragliding. Wind that keeps a paraglider aloft also pushes hard on a pergola or a solid roof. For covered decks we size posts, beams and connectors for uplift as well as weight, and we fasten roof framing down instead of letting gravity hold it. Shade sails and lightweight canopies should be planned with the same breeze in mind.

Four real seasons

Snow usually falls from November through March, and monsoon moisture brings afternoon thunderstorms in July and August. Draper's winters run slightly drier and more extreme in temperature than suburbs closer to the Great Salt Lake. On a deck that means snow piling on covers, freeze-thaw working at fasteners and concrete, and summer downpours that test drainage underneath. We grade soil away from the house and leave airflow under low decks so framing can dry out between storms.

HOA and townhome communities

About 68.6% of Draper homes are owner-occupied. If your home sits in an HOA community, the association may set rules for decking colors, railing styles, covers or whether a deck can be extended at all. Send us the guidelines and we will draw to them, then supply a plan set you can submit for approval before we schedule work.

Permits and your estimate

Draper's Building Office reviews residential permits through the city's online portal, which includes a separate submittal checklist for decks. We prepare the site plan, framing and footing details that checklist calls for. To get started, call (385) 506-4516 for a free, written estimate.

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