Decks & Covered Decks

The Brown Way of Building & Bidding Decks

A deck should not start with a price per square foot. It should start with a plan.

At Brown Roofing, we look at how the deck will be used, how long the homeowner plans to stay, what level of maintenance they want, and whether the existing structure can be reused safely. From there, we design the deck around the right framing, the right material, and the right investment level.

The goal is simple: build the strongest deck that makes sense for the home without spending money where it does not improve the finished product.

Start With the Right Questions

Before we recommend a decking product or build a price, we want to understand the project.

How long do you plan to stay in the home?

That matters. A homeowner planning to move in a few years may not benefit from the same material investment as someone planning to enjoy the deck for the next 20 years.

Do you want wood, composite or PVC?

Treated lumber gives you the lowest initial cost. Composite and PVC require a larger investment up front but eliminate routine staining and sealing and can carry much longer manufacturer warranties.

Are we resurfacing the deck or rebuilding it?

If the existing framing is structurally sound, properly spaced and meets current requirements for the new decking system, resurfacing may save a substantial amount of money. If it does not, we will tell you that before new material is installed over a problem.

How will the deck actually be used?

A simple sitting area is designed differently than a deck carrying a hot tub, outdoor kitchen, roof structure, large gathering area or multiple levels.

The Structure Matters More Than the Surface

The decking is what you see. The framing underneath is what determines how the deck performs.

Post locations, beam spans, joist sizing, joist spacing, ledger attachment, footings, hardware and load requirements all affect strength and cost.

Good deck design is not about using the most lumber possible. It is about putting the right material in the right place.

That allows Brown to design a deck that is strong, code-conscious and cost-efficient without overbuilding areas that do not need it or cutting corners where strength matters.

Wood, Composite and PVC

There is no one material that is right for every homeowner.

Pressure-treated wood offers the lowest initial cost and can be an excellent value when properly built and maintained. The tradeoff is ongoing staining, sealing and maintenance.

Composite decking costs more initially but offers lower maintenance, consistent appearance and long manufacturer warranties. Different composites vary considerably in core construction, capping, heat performance, moisture resistance and warranty coverage.

PVC decking removes wood fiber from the board altogether. Premium PVC products can offer excellent moisture resistance, lighter weight, strong stain-and-fade protection and long-term warranty coverage.

That is why Brown does not simply ask, "Do you want composite?" We help compare the actual construction and performance of the boards being considered.

Good, Better, Best and Platinum

Brown offers decking from Trex, TimberTech/AZEK, Fiberon and Deckorators across four levels:

• Good — proven, lower-cost composite options
• Better — upgraded appearance, construction or warranty
• Best — premium composite and higher-performance systems
• Platinum — top-tier PVC or specialty engineered products

Each level shows what the board is made from, how it is capped, how it handles moisture and heat, available colors, warranty coverage and why the next level costs more.

That makes the decision about value instead of just choosing a color.

Resurface When It Makes Sense. Rebuild When It Does Not.

Replacing decking and railing on a good existing frame can completely transform a deck while saving significant money.

But new decking should never be used to hide a failing structure.

Before recommending a resurface, Brown looks at the framing condition, joist spacing, beam and post layout, connections, ledger attachment and whether the existing structure is appropriate for the new decking system.

If the structure is good, we use it.
If it needs correction, we explain why.
If it needs to be rebuilt, we build it correctly.

Covered Decks Require More Than Deck Experience

Adding a roof changes the project.

A covered deck has to work with the home structurally while also managing roofing, flashing, water drainage, roof pitch and the connection between the new structure and the existing house.

That is where Brown Roofing brings a major advantage.

Brown has been building and working on exterior systems since 1995, so a covered deck is not treated as a deck with a roof added afterward. The deck structure and roof system are designed to work together from the beginning.

The Brown Way

We do not try to sell every homeowner the most expensive deck.

We try to build the right deck for the house, the budget and the amount of time the homeowner expects to enjoy it.

That means understanding the code, understanding the products, understanding structural design and knowing where spending more money improves the project — and where it does not.

Build it correctly. Spend the money where it matters. Get the most deck for the investment.

That is the Brown Way.