From rotting to rock-solid: a family deck in Beaumont-Wilshire
When this NE Portland family called us, their old deck was rotting and pulling away from the house. It was no longer safe, especially with a young child at home. They wanted a deck that looked beautiful, would hold up to Portland's wet winters, and kept their little one secure.
The project at a glance
Size: 8' × 22', with two sets of stairs
Decking: premium 2×6 cedar with a picture-frame border and custom detailing
Railing: Cinch black metal railing
Gates: two custom, self-closing gates
Fasteners: 3" stainless steel trim-head screws
A solid foundation, built for Portland weather
A deck is only as good as what's underneath it. We cut into the existing concrete pad and poured new footings, then set pressure-treated 6×6 posts on them. On top we built a double 2×8 pressure treated beam and pressure-treated 2×8 joists.
The most important detail is where the deck meets the house. Rot and water damage there are what failed the old deck. We installed a new pressure-treated 2×8 ledger and fully flashed it into the house exterior, so rain gets shed away from the structure instead of soaking into it. That's what makes a deck last decades in Portland.
Cedar decking with a custom touch
The family wanted the warmth of real wood, so we used high-quality 2×6 cedar. A picture-frame border gives the edges a finished look, and we added a center breaker board for a design you won't find on a standard deck. Every board is fastened with 3" stainless trim-head screws. Stainless won't rust or stain the cedar, and the small heads keep the surface clean.
Safe for a growing family
Safety was a top priority. We installed Cinch black metal railing all the way around, which gives a sleek modern look against the natural cedar. We also built two custom self-closing gates at the stairways, so the child can't wander down the stairs on their own.
The result
The finished deck went beyond what the family had pictured. The structure is solid, the cedar looks great, and the space is safe for their child.
“This was our second time working with Aaron and we have been so happy with his work. We live in an older Portland home with a lot of vintage charm but always in need of some updating. Aaron built us a custom built-in shelving/nightstand unit to match an old existing one and it turned out really beautiful. It looks identical to the original built-in, but new! It was exactly what we wanted and he got it done very quickly.
Our second project with Aaron was replacing our back deck. Our previous deck was at least 60 years old, the wood was rotting and the entire structure felt like it could collapse at any moment. The main way to access our back yard was through the back door and walking along the deck, so this was a huge problem. The need for a new deck became more pressing when we had our son who is now 2 years old and very curious. We told Aaron that our priority for the new deck was safety and durability. We gave him the creative freedom to design the deck how he wanted, as long as it matched the existing footprint. We were expecting a basic deck similar to what we had before - but I’m not sure Aaron is capable of making anything “basic”. He’s an excellent carpenter and the final deck was beyond our expectations. It’s beautiful, safe, and will definitely be able to withstand many decades of Oregon weather. He even had the idea to add self-closing gates to the top of each set of stairs, to keep our toddler safe! We couldn’t be happier and look forward to working with Aaron again in the future.”
Planning a deck in Portland?
Whether your deck is rotting, unsafe, or just needs an update, Marathon Builders LLC can help. We build cedar and composite decks across the Portland area.