Yardd
Wasatch Front · Salt Lake & Utah County

Decks

Outdoor living that actually stands up to Utah winters.

Typical pricing: $25–$60/sq ft installed

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Composite deck with pergola

Overview

A deck is often the single biggest improvement you can make to how you use your yard — an instant outdoor room that extends off the kitchen or living area. On the Wasatch Front, decks need to handle real Utah demands: significant snow load (30-40 PSF typical for most valley cities, higher in the benches), freeze-thaw cycles, intense UV, and heavy summer use. The right framing and decking choices matter a lot.

Composite decking (Trex, TimberTech, Deckorators) has taken over the Wasatch Front market for good reason: it handles UV and moisture without fading, splintering, or rotting, and the premium products look genuinely good. Cedar and redwood are still chosen for their look and can last 20-30+ years with proper staining every 2-3 years. Treated pine framing is standard underneath in both cases. Galvanized or stainless fasteners are a must; regular nails rust quickly in our climate.

A pergola on top of your deck extends usability through peak summer sun and adds significant visual impact. Yardd connects you with deck and pergola specialists who build for Utah's climate and know the permit process in each Wasatch Front city.

Why this matters locally

Built for the Wasatch Front

  • Snow load: 30-40 PSF in most valley cities, 50+ in the benches (Alpine, Draper hills, Cottonwood Heights) — framing must be sized correctly
  • UV exposure degrades cheap wood decking fast; composite or premium wood species are worth the investment
  • Freeze-thaw cycles demand proper flashing at the ledger board — water intrusion rots the house wall
  • Most cities require permits for decks over 30" off the ground or attached to the house

Project types

Composite
Wood
Pergola
Deck Repair

Key decisions

  • ·Decking material: composite ($30-$55/sqft installed, 25-30 yr life), cedar ($25-$40, stain every 2-3 yrs), redwood ($30-$45)
  • ·Framing: pressure-treated lumber sized for your snow load; joist spacing per deck material specs
  • ·Footings: 30-36" below grade to reach frost line; concrete-filled sono tubes standard
  • ·Ledger board: proper flashing + lag bolts into house rim joist — critical to prevent water damage
  • ·Railing: code typically requires 36" (residential) or 42" (commercial), baluster spacing max 4"
  • ·Pergola: adds $3,000-$10,000 depending on size and material
  • ·Permits: most cities require for attached decks or any deck over 30" off ground

How it works

  1. 1

    Design & permits

    Installer designs the layout, calculates snow load for your area, and pulls permits with your city.

  2. 2

    Footings

    Concrete footings poured below frost line. Inspection typically required before framing.

  3. 3

    Ledger board & framing

    Ledger board lag-bolted and flashed properly against the house. Beams and joists framed with treated lumber.

  4. 4

    Decking & railing

    Decking boards installed with hidden fasteners (composite) or deck screws (wood). Railing built per code.

  5. 5

    Finish & final inspection

    Stain/sealer applied (wood only), trim and details finished, final city inspection.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a deck cost on the Wasatch Front?+
Cedar or redwood: $25-$40/sqft installed. Composite: $30-$55/sqft. A typical 12x16 composite deck runs $9,500-$14,500. Stairs, railing upgrades, and pergolas add significantly.
Composite or wood decking?+
Composite for most homeowners. No staining, no splintering, 25+ year warranties, and it looks good for the long haul in Utah sun. Cedar or redwood is beautiful if you like the natural look and don't mind staining every 2-3 years — which is real work in Utah's climate.
How long does a deck last?+
Composite decks last 25-30 years with minimal maintenance. Cedar or redwood with proper staining lasts 20-30+ years. Pressure-treated pine decks are cheaper up front but degrade faster — many Wasatch Front homeowners are replacing 15-20 year old PT decks with composite.
Do I need a permit for a deck in Utah?+
Almost always for attached decks, and for freestanding decks over 30" off the ground. Most cities also require permits if the deck is structural in any way. Your installer handles this.
How much snow load does my deck need to handle?+
Valley cities typically require 30-40 PSF design load. Benches and higher-elevation areas (Alpine, Sandy hills, Park City area) require 50+ PSF. Your installer designs for your specific address.
Can I just replace my existing deck boards?+
Sometimes yes — if the framing and footings are sound, a re-deck in composite extends life by decades. But if footings are shallow, framing is undersized, or there's ledger board water damage, a full rebuild is the better long-term decision.
How long does installation take?+
A standard 200-300 sqft deck takes 2-3 weeks from footings to final inspection. Larger projects or those with pergolas and built-in features run 4-6 weeks.

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Ready to start your decks project?

Get free, no-obligation quotes from vetted installers on the Wasatch Front — usually within 24 hours.

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