What should I consider before choosing wood over composite?

Wood offers a natural surface and can be refinished as it ages. Composite generally asks less of you in ongoing surface maintenance. Your choice should reflect the look you prefer and the upkeep you are willing to do.

Wood Deck Builder in Hennepin and Ramsey County, MN

Get a natural wood deck planned around your home, with clear choices about layout, features, and upkeep. Midwest Decks builds wood decks across the Twin Cities’ western suburbs using pressure-treated lumber. As your wood deck builder, we help you choose a layout and details that make sense for your yard.

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Wood Decking and Lumber Choices

Pressure-treated wood offers a natural surface for wood deck construction, but not every board arrives with the same moisture content. We offer standard pressure-treated decking and kiln-dried after-treatment lumber, or KDAT, which is dried again after treatment for improved stability.

Standard pressure-treated boards for a straightforward wood surface
KDAT boards for less movement after installation
Board spacing planned for seasonal moisture changes
Fastening choices suited to the selected lumber
Border details that give the deck a defined edge
Staining guidance to help plan future upkeep

Wooden Deck Layouts and Access

The right layout depends on where you enter the yard and how the ground changes around your home. We can plan single-level or multi-level decks, then place stairs where they make moving between spaces easier.

Single-level layouts for a simple connection to the yard
Multi-level plans for sloped or tiered properties
Stair locations aligned with common paths through the yard
Landings where a change in height needs room
Space for seating without crowding doors or walkways
Deck dimensions matched to the home and available yard

Railings for Safety and Sightlines

Railings affect how open a deck feels and how much maintenance it needs. Midwest Decks offers wood, composite, aluminum, cable, and glass options, so you can compare the look and upkeep of each.

Wood railings for a consistent material throughout
Aluminum railings with less refinishing than wood
Cable railings that keep more of the view open
Glass panels where an open sightline matters most
Railing profiles matched to the deck’s proportions
Stair railings planned alongside the main deck railing

Lighting and Built-In Details

Small features are easiest to place when they are part of the deck plan. Lighting can mark stairs after dark, while built-in seating and planters can make use of edges without crowding the floor.

Step lights at changes in height
Post lights to mark corners and stair landings
Built-in benches along suitable deck edges
Planter boxes sized for the available space
Lighting locations coordinated with railing placement
Open floor space preserved for movable furniture

A Custom Deck Builder with a Long Legacy

Trevor Judd leads Midwest Decks with 25-plus years of hands-on construction experience. The Midwest name has served Hennepin and Ramsey counties, as well as the western suburbs of the Twin Cities, since 1994. Our dedicated deck division launched in 2024 to meet demand from customers who already trusted the brand and wanted us to build their decks and outdoor living spaces.

OUR WORK

Find Inspiration for the Deck You Have Been Picturing

The details matter here: The railing profiles, the board patterns, the lighting placements. Browse the gallery and start picturing your own space.

REVIEW

Read What It Is Actually Like to Work With Our Team

The people in these reviews hired Midwest Decks, watched the crew work, and came back here to tell their stories.

OUR PROCESS

A Process Built Around Your Peace of Mind

The Midwest name has been a trusted name in the Twin Cities since 1994, which is why we have served over 70,000 homeowners.

1. Your Design

See 3D renders and a fixed price first.

2. We Handle It

We manage all permits and HOA paperwork.

3. Built Right

Weekly updates keep your project on track.

Delivering Premium Quality at Every Pricepoint

Every Midwest Decks project gets the same in-house deck builders, the same quality materials, and the same 10-year workmanship warranty.

Fresh Design Ideas

We will research your space and bring options you might not have considered before your consultation ends.

Control Your Costs

Our pricing process delivers your final number at the consultation based on your choices. Set your own price.

Build During Winter

Most deck companies stop when the ground freezes. Midwest Decks operates through winter, so projects stay on schedule.

Wood Decks FAQs

What is the difference between standard pressure-treated wood and KDAT?

Both are pressure-treated lumber options. KDAT is kiln-dried after treatment, reducing the moisture it carries at installation. That can mean less twisting or shrinking as the boards settle.

How much upkeep does wood decking need?

Wood decking needs regular cleaning and checks for loose fasteners or worn boards. Staining or sealing needs depend on exposure and the finish you choose. We can discuss that upkeep before you settle on wood.

Can a wood deck work on a sloped yard?

Yes, a multi-level layout can follow changes in grade. Stairs and landings need enough room to connect those levels comfortably. The best arrangement depends on the slope and your access points.

Which railing works with a wood deck?

Wood railings keep a consistent material, but they also need upkeep. Aluminum, cable, and glass provide different views and maintenance needs. We can compare those options against your deck layout.