Deck Builders in Magna, UT

Being deck builders in Magna means taking connections seriously. On March 18, 2020, a magnitude 5.7 earthquake struck about 3.7 miles north-northeast of Magna at 7:09 in the morning, followed by thousands of aftershocks. Magna's historic downtown took extensive damage, and several historic buildings with unreinforced brick walls were damaged. Most decks rode it out, but a deck that hangs on a few nails is exactly the kind of structure that can pull away from a house when the ground moves.

How we tie a deck to the house

• A ledger board bolted through the rim joist, not nailed
• Flashing over the ledger so water does not rot the connection
• Lateral load connectors that tie the deck joists back into the house framing
• Posts fastened to footings with metal bases, and beams secured to posts with rated hardware
• Diagonal bracing on taller decks

None of this is unusual. It is what current code expects. But many older decks were built before those details were common, and they are worth checking.

Inspecting older Magna decks

Magna grew from a farming hamlet into a copper mill town after the Magna Mill was started in 1906, and later growth came from moderately priced single-family homes built in the 1970s south and east of the historic center. A deck added to a 1970s house decades ago may have a ledger nailed straight through siding, no flashing and posts sitting on surface blocks. We inspect those connections, show you what we find, and either repair or replace as the condition warrants.

Growth on the west side

Magna's population went from 26,505 in 2010 to 29,251 in 2020, and the Census estimates about 35,401 by 2025. Newer homes usually have better framing for a ledger, but builder decks are often minimal. Many owners here want to extend a small builder deck into a larger outdoor space or add a cover.

Services we offer in Magna

Composite decks for low upkeep. Wood decks in treated lumber or cedar. Repair and replacement, including retrofitting ledgers and lateral connectors on existing decks. Covered decks and pergolas framed for snow. Railings and stairs to current code. Staining and sealing for weathered wood.

Wind, snow and the lake

Magna sits directly south of the Great Salt Lake, and the lake effect, usually strongest from mid-fall through mid-winter, can boost snowfall in parts of the valley. That matters for covered decks and pergola roofs, which have to carry the snow load set by local building requirements. We size rafters and beams to meet that load and confirm details at permit time.

Main Street and the Empress

The historic Empress Theatre on Main Street was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1985, and Main Street was remodeled in 2006. If your home is close to the older core and you are unsure whether any design rules apply, we will check before drawing up the deck.

Free estimate

Call (385) 506-4516 for a free estimate or a check of your existing deck's connections. You get a written quote that lists exactly what will be built or repaired.

Call (385) 506-4516