Multi-level Composite Deck Rebuild in Cedar Bluff

These West Knoxville homeowners already knew Smith Roofing & Exteriors before the deck conversation started. We had replaced their roof with a TAMKO system, and that job went so smoothly that when they started thinking about their aging deck, we were the first call, especially being a Deckorators Certified Pro Contractor. That is usually how it goes. You earn the next project by being reliable and trouble-free on the last one.

Their old deck was not falling down, but it was showing its age. Worn decking, painted boards potentially covering issues, and a layout that had clearly been added onto in stages over the years. It read as a few different projects stitched together rather than one deck. They wanted it to feel like a single finished space, and they wanted to stop worrying about upkeep.

We took the old deck down to the ground so the new one could start from a clean, solid base. New reinforced concrete footers went in, sized larger than what was there before, carrying 6×6 posts. The tops of the framing and stringers got a coat of tar where water tends to sit, which is the kind of step that pays off years down the road when the framing is still solid.

For the deck surface we used Deckorators composite in Cliffside, with Dark Slate as the accent color. The Cliffside tone works with the home’s green siding, and the Dark Slate picture frame borders do more than look sharp. They sit right at the deck’s level changes, so your eye catches the darker band exactly where the deck steps down. A built-in safety cue helping reduce surprises.

The deck has a few features you do not see on every build. There is a covered grilling area set up for year-round cooking, with a natural gas line for the grill and electrical outlets for lighting. It is closed in with black powder coated aluminum balusters. We also rebuilt the dog ramp. The old, homemade one had seen better days. This new one is wider and weather resistant, and it looks purposely designed (which it was).

The finished deck finally feels as one cohesive space, and the composite surface means the homeowners can spend weekends using it instead of maintaining it. And with the Deckorators 25 year warranty on the materials, additional peace-of-mind is in place for years to come.

Project Specifications & Additional Upgrades

• Primary Deck Material: Deckorators composite decking in Cliffside and Dark Slate Picture Frame deck board
• Support Materials: pressure treated wood
• Special Elements: powder coated aluminum balusters in black
• Water Protection: House flashing and ‘z’ flashing installed along house band to prevent water rot. Tar-coated framing tops.

Project FAQs

Q: Can you build a covered grilling area with gas and electric into a deck?

A: Yes. On this Cedar Bluff deck we kept the existing covered structure standing on temporary supports during demo, then tied it into the new framing. It runs a natural gas line for the grill and electrical for lighting, and it is enclosed with black powder coated aluminum balusters. The 6×6 support posts run from the deck up to the roof structure. Gas and electrical work like this should always be permitted and handled by licensed contractors like Smith Roofing & Exteriors.

Q: Do you have to tear out the whole old deck, or can you reuse the framing?

A: It depends on the framing. This deck had been added onto in stages, so the framing was inconsistent and aging, and building on top of it would have carried those problems forward. In this case we took it down to grade and started fresh with new footers and framing. When old framing is genuinely sound, reusing some or all can make sense, but for a multi-stage deck like this one, a full teardown gave a uniform base, one warranty, and a cohesive surface.

Q: Why replace a wood deck with composite instead of re-staining it?

A: By the time this deck came to us, painting over it was only buying time. Deckorators composite puts an end to the yearly “sand, stain, and seal” cycle, and Deckorators boards hold their color against the moisture and moss that shade and humidity push onto wood decks in East Tennessee. Just as important, we built and tar-coated the framing underneath to last as long as possible, so the whole structure is on one timeline instead of new deck boards on an aging base.

Does your deck need help?

Whether your deck needs a visual update or structural overhaul (or both), we can build you a new, safe outdoor living space that will last for decades. Reach out to a professional who can make the space yours.

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