Deck Builders in Kearns, UT

We work as deck builders in Kearns with one local condition always in mind: the sun. Kearns sits at about 4,530 feet on the west side of the Salt Lake Valley, and the Utah Olympic Oval in Kearns is described as the world's highest indoor oval, at 4,675 feet. In nearby Salt Lake City the average annual UV index is 5.6 and peaks around 10.4 in July, with roughly 3,000 hours of sunshine a year. For a deck, that means faster graying of wood, faster fading of cheap stains and hot board surfaces in July.

Picking a decking material for Kearns sun

Pressure-treated pine costs the least and works well under a good stain, but plan on re-staining every few years. Cedar looks warm and resists decay, yet it grays quickly if left bare. Capped composite holds color better and does not need staining, though dark colors get hot underfoot in full afternoon sun. We often suggest a lighter composite shade for south and west-facing decks, or a pergola to cut the direct light.

Shade is part of the design

A covered deck or a pergola can make a back yard usable on 95-degree afternoons. Salt Lake City averages about 23 days a year above 95 degrees. A solid roof gives full shade but has to be framed for winter snow, while an open pergola with slats or a shade sail is lighter and lets snow fall through. We talk through both and show how each attaches to your house.

A community laid out on old base streets

Kearns began on May 1, 1942, as Kearns Army Air Base, a World War II training site deactivated in 1946. After the base closed, houses went up quickly on the old roads and building foundations, and building spread west to 5600 West by the 1970s and 1980s. More housing went in around Oquirrh Park in 2019 and 2020. That gives Kearns a mix of postwar homes, 1970s and 1980s houses and a small number of recent builds. Older homes may have low back doors and small yards. Newer ones may have a slider several feet up with nothing under it yet.

Owners who stay

Kearns has a very high ownership rate. Census estimates show 83.8% of homes owner-occupied and 91.0% of residents in the same house as a year earlier. When people plan to stay that long, upkeep over time matters more than the cheapest first price. We will lay out what each material will need over ten years so you can compare honestly.

Services in Kearns

• Composite decks in UV-stable, capped boards
• Wood decks in treated lumber or cedar
• Repair and replacement of sun-checked or loose decks
• Covered decks, pergolas and shade structures
• Railings and stairs
• Staining and sealing with finishes rated for strong sun

Who issues permits

Kearns became a metro township in 2017 and was promoted to a city on May 1, 2024. Because local government here is newer, we confirm which office currently handles your building permit and inspections when we draw up your plan, along with the required snow load and footing depth.

Get a quote

Call (385) 506-4516 or request an estimate online. We visit, note sun exposure on your yard at different times of day, and give you a written quote with material options side by side.

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