Deck builders in Arlington Heights, IL

Homes in Arlington Heights have a median construction year of 1974, so a deck original to a typical house would now be about 52 years old — beyond the point where wood framing, fasteners and flashing can be assumed sound.

Many decks from the 1970s and 1980s were built before today's detailed deck provisions appeared in model codes. Common issues on decks of this age include corroded hangers, posts set directly in soil and ledger boards fastened with nails. Replacement is often the better value than repeated repairs.

That makes Arlington Heights's housing 13 years newer than Cook County as a whole, where the median home was built in 1961. Statewide, the median Illinois home was built in 1971. Among the 102 covered Illinois communities with Census data, Arlington Heights ranks #48 for oldest housing. In these ZIP codes, 20% of homes were built before 1960, 44% between 1960 and 1979, 28% between 1980 and 1999, and 9% since 2000 — the single largest group dates to the 1970s.

The nearest NOAA climate station with 1991–2020 normals is Chicago Palwaukee AP, about 4 miles away. It records an average of 122 days a year with a low at or below 32°F — a substantial freezing season. On roughly 79 of those days the temperature climbs back above freezing, so water in wood, soil and gaps between boards repeatedly freezes and thaws.

For Arlington Heights, that means footings must bear below the locally required frost depth to avoid heaving, and wood surfaces should be kept sealed so absorbed water doesn't split boards over winter. Synthetic decking tolerates freeze-thaw well but still needs the manufacturer's expansion gaps.

Average snowfall near Arlington Heights is about 38.4 inches a year (Chicago Ohare Intl. AP). That's enough that shoveling and ice-melt choices affect deck surfaces, and stair treads benefit from good texture and drainage.

Arlington Heights sees about 37.3 inches of precipitation a year, with measurable rain or snow (0.1 inch or more) on about 77 days. Good drainage between boards, clean gaps and a ledger that is properly flashed keep that water from rotting the frame.

Average summer highs reach about 82°F, and around 17 days a year top 90°F. On a deck with full afternoon sun, dark composite can get uncomfortable on those days, so test samples in the sun before choosing a color.

Budget, upkeep tolerance and sun exposure on your particular lot still decide the final choice between these options.

Arlington Heights has about 34,498 housing units across its covered ZIP codes. 52% are single-family detached homes, 7% are attached homes such as townhouses and rowhouses, and about 41% are in buildings with two or more units. Roughly 73% of occupied homes are owner-occupied.

The mix of detached homes and attached or multi-unit housing in Arlington Heights means deck projects range from large backyard decks to compact rear decks on narrow lots. Lot size, neighbors' sightlines and any association rules shape the right design.

• Replacement and major repair: about 17,417 homes (50%) were built between 1970 and 1999, the age group whose original or early add-on decks are most likely to have worn-out framing, connectors and boards.
• Retrofit decks on older homes: about 13,999 homes (41%) predate 1970. Here the priority is confirming that add-on decks are properly attached — or rebuilding them freestanding — before any cosmetic work.
• Upgrades and expansions: about 843 homes (2%) were built since 2010. Their decks are usually sound but small or builder-grade, so enlarging the deck, adding stairs and switching to composite or upgraded railings are common.

Arlington Heights has a defined building season. Spring and early fall offer the most comfortable working weather; winter is a good time to settle the design and apply for permits. Stains and sealers generally need dry weather and moderate temperatures, so plan wood finishing for late spring or early fall.

For Arlington Heights, IL, ask the permit office whether your deck needs a permit based on its size, height and attachment to the house, which drawings and inspections are required. Statewide code background for Illinois is on our state page; local rules change, so the building department remains the authority.

The closest covered area is Rolling Meadows, about 2.6 miles from the center of Arlington Heights's covered ZIPs. Its median home was built in 1972, 2 years earlier than in Arlington Heights. The two have a similar share of detached single-family homes (52% vs. 51%). Owner-occupancy is 73% in Arlington Heights compared with 71% in Rolling Meadows. Arlington Heights's covered ZIP codes span about 17.7 square miles of land with roughly 34,498 homes — about 1,949 per square mile, a typical suburban density where most homes have usable backyards.