Is composite decking better than wood?

It depends on how much upkeep you want. Composite costs more up front, needs no sealing and can get hot in full sun. Treated pine and cedar cost less but need regular cleaning and sealing. The frame under either one is usually pressure-treated lumber, built to the same code.

Do I need a permit for a deck in Nashville?

Yes. Metro Codes requires a building permit for new deck construction, and its deck page doesn’t exempt low decks. Work is inspected against Metro’s version of the 2024 International Residential Code, so the permit needs to be in place before the first footing is dug.

How high can a deck be without a railing?

Up to 30 inches above the ground below. Above that, the American Wood Council’s DCA 6 guide calls for a guard with openings small enough that a 4-inch sphere can’t pass through. Stairs and landings are measured the same way.

How much does a deck cost?

Size, height, material and stairs set the price. A low, square deck in treated pine is the simplest build. Composite boards, metal railings, multiple levels and long stair runs add to it, and a tall deck on a slope needs longer posts and more bracing. The estimate starts with the size and height.

Deck or patio: which is better?

It depends on the lot. On flat ground right outside the door, a patio costs less over time and never needs sealing. Where the yard drops away from the house, a deck keeps you level with the kitchen floor. On many sloped lots the answer is both: a deck with stairs down to a patio.

How long does a deck last?

The frame decides it. A pressure-treated frame on proper footings, with the ledger flashed against the house, outlasts the boards on top. Composite boards don’t rot, and wood boards last longer if they’re kept sealed. Water trapped where the deck meets the house is the most common cause of early failure.

Deck Builders in Nashville, TN | Nashville Outdoor Works

Decks for every kind of lot

On a flat lot, a low deck off the back door makes a simple outdoor floor. On a lot that falls away from the house, a raised deck carries the kitchen floor level out over the yard, and the space underneath can become a shaded patio. Multi-level decks step down a slope in stages, with a landing for the grill and another for the table.

Wood or composite decking?

Pressure-treated pine is the most affordable deck board and takes stain in any color. Cedar is lighter, naturally rot-resistant and smells great when it’s new. Composite and PVC boards cost more up front but never need sealing or staining, come in wood-grain colors, and won’t splinter. Under any of them, the frame is pressure-treated lumber.

Railings and stairs

Railings change the whole look of a deck: wood balusters for a traditional house, black aluminum or cable rail for a modern one, horizontal boards to match a fence. Any deck more than 30 inches off the ground needs a guard under the American Wood Council’s DCA 6 guide. Wide stairs with a landing feel more inviting than a narrow flight, and stair lights make them safe at night.

Permits and code

Metro Codes requires a building permit for every new deck in Nashville, and decks are inspected against Metro’s version of the 2024 International Residential Code. Footings go at least 12 inches below grade, and the ledger board is flashed where it meets the house so water can’t get behind it.

Decks and patios together

Because we build both, the deck stairs can land right on a new paver patio instead of a bare concrete pad, and the railings, lighting and fence can all match. Add a pergola over part of the deck for shade.

Sources

Metro Codes, adding a deck
Metro Nashville ordinance BL2025-898 — 2024 IRC adoption and frost depth
American Wood Council, DCA 6 deck construction guide — footings and guards

Deck builders in Nashville, TN