Project · Wagon Trails, Colorado Springs
Trex Deck Replacement with a Custom Pergola in Wagon Trails
The old deck came out and a new one went in on the same footprint: a new pressure-treated frame, Trex decking in Foggy Wharf, black Fortress steel railing and a custom wood pergola. Permitted through PPRBD.
The challenge
The homeowners in Wagon Trails liked the shape and size of their old deck. It fit the house and the yard, it just was not going to last much longer. So the job was not to redesign the deck but to replace it with the same layout, built to last, with low-maintenance materials and some shade.
What we built
- A new pressure-treated frame. We took the old deck out and built a new frame instead of putting new boards on old framing, so the structure under the deck is as new as the surface.
- Trex composite decking in Foggy Wharf. A light gray composite that does not need sanding or staining.
- Black Fortress steel railing. Slim steel balusters keep the view open into the yard, and the railing continues down the stairs.
- A custom pergola. Built on site from pressure-treated lumber and sized to the deck, it shades the part closest to the house without closing it in.
- Permitted through PPRBD. We pulled the building permit with the Pikes Peak Regional Building Department.
Why a new frame, not just new boards
When an old deck looks worn, it is tempting to put new decking on the existing frame. But composite boards usually outlast the wood underneath them, and the old joists, beams and connections are often the part that is closest to the end of its life. Building a new pressure-treated frame means the whole deck starts its life at the same time, and the composite surface is not sitting on framing that will need to be torn out in a few years.
Shade under the Colorado sun
Colorado Springs gets a lot of strong, high-altitude sun, and a deck right off the back of the house can get hot in the afternoon. A pergola gives filtered shade without a solid roof, so the deck still gets light and the rooms inside are not darkened. Because this one is custom, we sized it to the deck and the wall it sits against rather than using a kit size.
Building a deck in Wagon Trails
Wagon Trails is a neighborhood in northeast Colorado Springs, near North Carefree Circle, with its own recreation association, pool and parks. Many homes here sit on compact lots, so the deck is often the main outdoor living space, which makes a good layout and a little shade worth more than extra square footage. An elevated deck like this one needs a building permit from PPRBD, and if your home is in a covenant-controlled area, it is worth checking the design rules before choosing colors and railing.
Related: Decks and fences in northeast Colorado Springs · Deck building in Colorado Springs · Colorado Springs service area
Is your deck due for replacement?
Same footprint or a new design, with or without a pergola: we will look at the existing deck, tell you honestly what can stay and what should be replaced, and give you a written quote. The estimate is free and on-site.