decks

Deck railing options range from wood to glass, but the post connection and guard height decide whether a railing passes inspection.

A deck fails at the connections long before it fails underfoot: rot behind the ledger, footings sitting above frost depth, corroded hangers from the mid-2000s, and railings that flex under load. Here is how to tell repair from replacement.

Cable railing and wood railing pass the same inspection, but only one loads your posts with thousands of pounds of sustained tension: spacing that shifts under deflection, terminal post framing, freeze-thaw re-tensioning, and footing depth. Here is what to settle before framing.

A single measurement decides whether your deck needs a permit in Kansas City, and most homeowners take it at the wrong spot: the 30-inch rule, what walkout basements change, the four connections inspectors actually check, and what an unpermitted deck does to a sale. Here is what to confirm first.

Planning a deck in Kansas City? Before your contractor call, know your material options. This guide breaks down pressure-treated wood vs. composite decking — climate performance, maintenance, lifespan, and what to decide before you get a quote.