Fort Collins deck builders for new decks, repairs and shade

How the referral works

1. Tell us about the deck

   Call or use the form. Give the address and a sentence about the project or the problem.

2. We pass it along

   Your request goes to one independent deck contractor who covers that town.

3. You hear from them

   They call back, set a time to measure, and give you their own quote.

Who is this for?

Homeowners in Fort Collins, Loveland, Windsor, Timnath and Wellington who want a deck built, fixed, rebuilt, railed or shaded. Fort Collins is the Larimer County seat, with 169,810 people at the 2020 census, and it sits at roughly 5,000 feet where the plains run into the foothills. Homes range from early-1900s bungalows near Old Town and Colorado State University to 1970s and 1980s subdivisions and newer neighborhoods spreading east toward I-25.

What kinds of deck work can you get help with?

• New decks. Ground-level platforms, raised decks off a walkout basement, and multi-level layouts, framed with treated lumber on concrete piers or approved helical piles. New deck construction.
• Composite and PVC. Boards that hold color better than bare wood in strong sun and never need stain. Composite and PVC decks.
• Repairs and full replacement. Re-fastening ledgers, replacing soft boards and joists, resetting stairs, or tearing out a deck that isn't worth saving. Deck repair and replacement.
• Railings. Cable, aluminum, steel or wood guards, including replacing a wobbly rail on an older deck. Railings and cable rail.
• Shade. Pergolas, louvered systems and roofed covers, new or added over a deck you already have. Pergolas and shade covers.

Why are Northern Colorado decks built differently?

• Frost and footing depth. The City of Fort Collins deck guide asks for footings at least 30 inches below grade on any deck attached to the house. Freestanding decks can use 12-inch footings in the city. Unincorporated Larimer County also uses a 30-inch frost depth.
• Clay that swells. The Colorado Geological Survey calls expansive soil the state's most significant geologic hazard and says clay-rich ground can grow by 10 percent or more in volume when it gets wet. Heaved patios and cracked slabs are a common sign, and deck piers sit in the same ground.
• Dry air, big swings. Fort Collins averages about 15.9 inches of precipitation and 51.4 inches of snow a year, with records of 103°F and −41°F. Bare wood dries, checks and fades quickly at this elevation, and freeze-thaw works on every fastener.
• Snow on roofs. Any cover or pergola has to carry snow. Larimer County's deck handout uses a 40 psf ground snow load at 5,500 feet and below, rising with elevation, while Windsor and Wellington list 30 psf in their design tables. The roof design follows whichever jurisdiction issues the permit.

Signs your deck needs a closer look

• The deck shifts or bounces when people walk across it
• A gap has opened where the ledger meets the house
• Piers have tilted, lifted or cracked
• Guard posts rock when you lean on the rail
• Boards are split, cupped or soft at the ends
• Stair stringers have pulled away at the top

When does a Fort Collins deck need a permit?

More often than people expect. The City of Fort Collins residential deck guide requires a permit for a deck that is attached to the house at any point, more than 30 inches above grade at any point, larger than 200 square feet, or serving the front door. Replacing joists, posts, beams, stairs or guard rails also takes a permit, and so does new decking that is heavier than what was there. Decks that carry a hot tub, a pergola, or a second deck above need engineered plans. Loveland, Windsor, Timnath, Wellington and unincorporated Larimer County run their own building departments with their own thresholds, which the Larimer County deck guide lays out.

Wood, composite or PVC?

Treated pine and cedar cost less up front but need fresh finish every few summers in this sun. Capped composite and PVC cost more on day one and skip the staining, though dark colors get hot in full afternoon sun. The framing under either one is treated lumber, so pier depth, ledger flashing and joist spacing matter whatever goes on top.

What about wildfire?

The 2020 Cameron Peak fire burned 208,663 acres west of Fort Collins and became the largest wildfire in Colorado history. Homes on the west side, along the foothills and up toward Horsetooth Reservoir, sit closer to grass and timber than the rest of town. Keep the space under the deck clear and ask about noncombustible materials next to the house.

Is this site a deck contractor?

No. Fort Collins Deck Pros is a referral service. We connect you with an independent contractor who works where you live, and that company does the design, permit, construction and warranty. See how it works.

Areas we cover

• Fort Collins
• Loveland
• Windsor
• Timnath
• Wellington

Researching first? The Larimer County deck guide covers permits, frost depth and soils.