Deck builders in Des Plaines, IL

The median home in Des Plaines dates to about 1969, roughly 57 years ago. Most homes from that era were built without a deck; the decks you see now were usually added in later decades, sometimes by previous owners with little documentation.

That history matters: retrofit decks are where missing ledger flashing, undersized footings and nailed-rather-than-bolted connections are most common. Before resurfacing or extending an add-on deck, it is worth confirming how it was framed and attached.

That makes Des Plaines's housing 8 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, Des Plaines ranks #36 for oldest housing. In these ZIP codes, 30% of homes were built before 1960, 41% between 1960 and 1979, 17% between 1980 and 1999, and 12% since 2000 — the single largest group dates to the 1960s.

The nearest NOAA climate station with 1991–2020 normals is Chicago Ohare Intl. AP, about 2 miles away. It records an average of 121 days a year with a low at or below 32°F — a substantial freezing season. On roughly 78 of those days the temperature climbs back above freezing, so water in wood, soil and gaps between boards repeatedly freezes and thaws.

For Des Plaines, 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 Des Plaines 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.

Precipitation averages about 37.9 inches a year, falling on about 72 days with 0.1 inch or more — wet enough that drainage and flashing still matter, but dry spells also let wood surfaces dry out and check in the sun.

Average summer highs reach about 83°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.

On Des Plaines's many older homes, a wood-look capped composite or a stained cedar deck usually suits the architecture better than high-gloss boards.

Des Plaines has about 35,575 housing units across its covered ZIP codes. 45% are single-family detached homes, 10% are attached homes such as townhouses and rowhouses, and about 45% are in buildings with two or more units. Roughly 69% of occupied homes are owner-occupied.

The mix of detached homes and attached or multi-unit housing in Des Plaines 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.

• Retrofit decks on older homes: about 18,560 homes (52%) predate 1970. Here the priority is confirming that add-on decks are properly attached — or rebuilding them freestanding — before any cosmetic work.
• Replacement and major repair: about 12,637 homes (36%) 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.
• Upgrades and expansions: about 1,906 homes (5%) 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.

Des Plaines 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 Des Plaines, 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 Park Ridge, about 2.8 miles from the center of Des Plaines's covered ZIPs. Its median home was built in 1960, 9 years earlier than in Des Plaines. Des Plaines has 26 percentage points fewer detached single-family homes (45% vs. 71%), which changes how many projects are backyard decks versus compact townhouse decks. Owner-occupancy is 69% in Des Plaines compared with 85% in Park Ridge. Des Plaines's covered ZIP codes span about 28.7 square miles of land with roughly 35,575 homes — about 1,240 per square mile, a typical suburban density where most homes have usable backyards.