Lake decks built for the view.
Cable railings that keep the water in sight, walkout and two-story lake decks, and stairs down to the yard. Todd Carstensen has built on Lake Minnetonka and across the west metro for over 40 years.
Everything a lake deck needs.
A lake deck is about the view, the weather off the water and getting down to the yard. Todd designs for all three.
- Cable railingsThin cables that keep the view open
- Composite boardsLow upkeep with sun and water all around
- Walkout and two-story decksRoom up top, shade below
- Stairs to the yardWide, safe stairs toward the water
- Shade when you want itA louvered Luxury Pergola overhead
- Patios belowA patio under or beside the deck
Building a deck on a lake lot.
Lake lots are rarely flat. Most slope toward the water, so many lake decks end up as walkouts or second-story decks on tall posts. That puts more weight on fewer footings, and it’s why Todd’s crew frames every deck the way they frame a house.
Check the shoreland rules first
Lakefront lots in Minnesota fall under city shoreland rules. They can limit how close to the water you can build and how much of the lot can be covered. Before you fall in love with a design, check with your city’s planning department. Todd will plan the deck around what your lot allows.
Design for the view from inside, too
The view from your kitchen and living room matters as much as the view from the deck. Cable railings, a top rail set below your sight line and stairs that don’t block the windows keep the lake in view all year.
Lake communities we work in
Planning shade too? See louvered pergolas and two-story decks and stairs.
Built right, from the footings up.
Todd’s crew frames every deck the way they frame a house, so it stays solid and level year after year.
- 1Call or request an estimateTell Todd what you have in mind.
- 2DesignLayout, view lines, stairs and railings.
- 3Written estimateThe full scope in writing.
- 4BuildFootings and framing, decking or patio, and rails.
- 5Final walkthroughWalk the finished project together.
Framing a two-story deck on one of our builds.
Lake and view decks we’ve built.
Photographed on our own jobs around Minnesota.
5.0 stars on Google. Every review, five stars.
“Fast is an understatement. Todd got back to me same day after I initially contacted him.”
“Todd was extremely helpful, easy to communicate with, gave us honest answers and roofed our house quickly and efficiently. Their work has high quality.”
“John and Todd and their crew were very professional and did a superior job on our roof and clean up.”
More from the same crew.
One family, one crew and one number to call for the whole house.
Straight answers.
Why cable railing on a lake deck?
It keeps the view open. Thin cables replace the bulky spindles you’d otherwise look through from your chair.
Do you build patios?
Yes. We build patios on their own or alongside a new deck, and a Luxury Pergola can go over either one.
Composite or cedar for a lake deck?
We build both. Composite needs almost no upkeep, which most lake homeowners want. Cedar gives you the warm look of real wood but needs sealing every few years.
Can you add shade to a lake deck?
Yes. Todd is the Midwest dealer for The Luxury Pergola and installs them himself on new and existing decks.
Do you build on Lake Minnetonka?
Yes. We’re based in Chanhassen and build around Lake Minnetonka and the west metro lakes, from Excelsior and Wayzata to Minnetonka and Victoria.
Let’s plan your lake deck.
Free estimates, on budget, and Todd answers his own phone.