Two-story decks, multi-level decks and stairs.
Walkout and two-story decks, multi-level decks and stairs, including spiral stairs, framed the way Todd’s crew frames a house: on solid footings, level and built to last.
Up high, built solid.
A second-story deck carries a lot of weight on a few posts. The footings, the beams and the connection to the house get the most attention.
- Two-story decksAn outdoor room off the main floor
- Multi-level decksSteps down to a lower deck or patio
- Spiral stairsCompact stairs where space is tight
- Straight and landing stairsWide, safe stairs to the yard
- Footings below frostDug deep enough for Minnesota winters
- Space underneathA patio or pergola below
What goes into a deck that’s built high.
Footings below the frost line
Minnesota’s building code requires footings below the frost line, 42 inches deep in the Twin Cities area. Footings that are too shallow get pushed up when the ground freezes, and on a tall deck even a small shift shows up as a lean or a sag.
Posts and beams sized for the span
The higher the deck and the longer the span between posts, the bigger the beams need to be. Fewer posts look cleaner underneath, but only if the beams are sized for it.
A tight connection to the house
The ledger board carries half the deck. It has to be bolted to the house framing and flashed so water doesn’t get behind it. It’s one of the first things Todd checks on an old deck, too.
Railings and stairs built to code
Decks more than 30 inches above the ground need guards, and most stairs need handrails. Cable railings keep the view open without giving up safety.
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.
- 2DesignLevels, stairs, posts 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.
Two-story decks and stairs we’ve built.
Photographed on our own jobs around Minnesota.
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More from the same crew.
One family, one crew and one number to call for the whole house.
Straight answers.
Does a two-story deck need a permit?
Almost always. In Minnesota, decks attached to the house or more than 30 inches above the ground generally need a building permit. Your city’s building department has the details.
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.
How deep do deck footings go in Minnesota?
Below the frost line, which is 42 inches deep in the Twin Cities area under the Minnesota building code. Shallow footings can heave when the ground freezes.
Can I use the space under a second-story deck?
Yes. Many homeowners add a patio underneath, so the deck becomes shade for the space below.
Do you build spiral stairs?
Yes. A spiral stair takes far less room than a straight run, which helps on tight or sloped lots.
Let’s plan your two-story deck.
Free estimates, on budget, and Todd answers his own phone.