Build Outdoor Space That Holds Up
Decks, Porches & Outdoor Living in Burr Ridge for backyards with rotting wood, unstable railings, or no covered area for furniture
Mikasa Builders & Remodeling Corp builds and repairs decks, porches, and outdoor living spaces for homeowners in Burr Ridge who need a platform that doesn't bounce underfoot, railings that meet code, or a roof overhead so the space is usable in summer rain. You might be replacing a deck that's separating from the house, adding a screened porch where mosquitoes currently run the evenings, or covering an existing patio with a pergola that provides shade without blocking all the light. This work includes framing, decking, railings, roofing, and integrating electrical for lights and outlets.
The service covers custom deck design and construction, screened-in porches and sunrooms, pergolas and covered outdoor spaces, composite and wood decking options, outdoor lighting integration, and repairs and expansions. Ledger boards are bolted to the house framing with lag screws and flashed so water doesn't seep behind the siding. Posts are set in concrete below the frost line, and beams are sized to carry the deck load without sagging. Composite decking is fastened with hidden clips, and wood decking is screwed down with stainless fasteners that won't stain the boards.
Reach out to discuss your yard layout and what type of outdoor structure fits the way you use the space.
What Goes Into Building a Deck or Porch
Your footings are poured to the depth required by local frost lines, and posts are cut level before the beams are bolted on top. Joists are spaced to match the decking manufacturer's specs, and blocking is added where the span is long or where railings will attach. If the deck is elevated, stairs are built with treads that overhang the risers for a clean look and risers that meet code for height and uniformity.
When the project is done, you'll have a deck surface that drains toward the yard, railings that don't wobble when leaned on, and stairs that feel solid from the top step to the bottom. Mikasa Builders & Remodeling Corp leaves the ledger flashing sealed, the post bases clear of ground contact, and the fasteners countersunk so the deck surface is smooth. If lighting was added, the fixtures are wired to a switch inside or to a timer, and the electrical boxes are rated for wet locations.
Screened porches include framed walls with screen panels that can be replaced individually, a roof that ties into the house or stands on its own posts, and a floor that's pitched slightly for drainage. Pergolas are built with notched beams and rafters that create shade patterns without blocking airflow. Composite decking doesn't need staining but costs more upfront, while pressure-treated or cedar decking requires sealing every few years but offers a traditional look. Repairs can include replacing rotted joists, reinforcing sagging beams, or rebuilding railings that no longer meet height and spacing codes.
Common Questions About Outdoor Builds
Homeowners around Burr Ridge ask about material choices, how structures attach to the house, and what maintenance looks like over time.
What is the difference between composite and wood decking?
Composite is made from wood fibers and plastic, resists rot and insects, and doesn't need staining, while wood decking is natural, costs less upfront, and requires periodic sealing to prevent weathering.
How is a deck attached to the house safely?
A ledger board is bolted through the siding into the rim joist or band board, and flashing is installed above the ledger to direct water away from the house structure.
When should deck footings be replaced?
Footings are replaced when posts have shifted, when the concrete has cracked and allowed movement, or when the deck was originally built without footings deep enough to resist frost heave.
Why do railings have specific height and spacing requirements?
Building codes set railing height at 36 inches or higher for most decks, and balusters must be spaced so a four-inch sphere can't pass through, which prevents small children from slipping between them.
What kind of lighting works best on decks in Burr Ridge?
Low-voltage LED lights are wired to a transformer and installed on posts, under railings, or along stair risers, and they provide visibility without glare or high energy use.
If your deck is sagging, your porch screens are torn, or you're ready to add covered space where there's currently none, Mikasa Builders & Remodeling Corp can evaluate what's salvageable and what needs to be rebuilt from the footings up.