Building a Deck in Phoenix: Seven Common Questions

For most homeowners here, composite. It does not crack, splinter or need sealing, and it holds its color far better than wood under constant sun. Any dark surface gets hot in July, so choose a light color and plan some shade.

Wood is still a good choice if you love the look and accept the upkeep. It costs less at the start and needs a fresh coat of stain or sealer every one to three years.

Often, yes. Cities here generally require one when a deck is attached to the house, is more than about 30 inches off the ground, or has a roof. Low, freestanding platforms are sometimes exempt. Rules differ between Phoenix, Chandler, Mesa and the other cities, and many HOAs want to approve the design as well.

Skipping a required permit risks fines, a stop-work order and trouble when you sell. We check what applies at your address before work starts.

There is no frost line to worry about here, but there is soil that moves. Parts of the Valley have expansive clay that swells and shrinks; others have caliche that is as hard as concrete. Footings are sized for the deck's load and the ground it sits on, and the plan your city approves will state the depth. Blocks set on the surface are not a foundation.

Usually, as long as the slab is sound and drains properly. The frame has to sit off the concrete so air moves underneath and water can escape. A deck laid tight to a slab traps moisture and heat. If the slab is badly cracked or slopes toward the house, removing it can be the better and sometimes cheaper route.

Building a typical backyard deck takes two to four weeks. The part people underestimate is everything before that: design, permit review and material delivery can add one to three months. If you want the deck ready for a particular season, start the conversation a season earlier.

Shade. A pergola, a solid cover over the seating area, shade sails or a large umbrella all help, and shade also slows the wear on the deck itself. It is much easier to plan posts and footings for shade at the start than to add them later.

Two separate ones. The manufacturer covers the decking boards, often for 25 years or more on composite. The builder covers the workmanship. Get both in writing before work begins, and keep the paperwork.