Deck builders in Scott County, MN

Scott County has about 56,671 homes, with a median construction year of 1997 (the Minnesota median is 1979). Within our covered ZIP codes — about 52,887 homes — the median is 1997, close to the county as a whole.

The median home in the covered parts of Scott County was built around 1997. A deck built with a house of that age is now about 29 years old — the stage where first-generation pressure-treated decks commonly need major repair or replacement.

Decks built before 2004 were very likely made with CCA-treated lumber, which was phased out of most residential uses at the end of 2003. That doesn't make an existing deck unsafe, but old boards shouldn't be burned, and demolition debris should be disposed of according to local rules.

Oldest housing: Jordan (1993), Prior Lake (1995) and Belle Plaine (1996). In these communities, expect retrofit decks on older houses and aging decks that need structural inspection, ledger and flashing upgrades, or replacement. Newest housing: Elko New Market (2003), Shakopee (1999) and Savage (1997). Here, projects lean toward enlarging builder-installed decks, adding stairs and railings, and upgrading to low-maintenance boards.

The nearest NOAA climate station with 1991–2020 normals is Mpls Flying Cloud AP, about 6 miles away. It records an average of 145 days a year with a low at or below 32°F — a long, hard freezing season. On roughly 74 of those days the temperature climbs back above freezing, so water in wood, soil and gaps between boards repeatedly freezes and thaws.

For Scott County, 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 Scott County is about 39.8 inches a year (Jordan 1ssw). That's enough that shoveling and ice-melt choices affect deck surfaces, and stair treads benefit from good texture and drainage.

Precipitation averages about 30.6 inches a year, falling on about 55 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.

Summer heat is mild by comparison — average summer highs near 81°F and only about 14 days a year at 90°F or above — so board color can be chosen mostly on looks.

• Replacement and major repair: about 24,627 homes (43%) 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 9,044 homes (16%) 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.
• Retrofit decks on older homes: about 7,638 homes (13%) predate 1970. Here the priority is confirming that add-on decks are properly attached — or rebuilding them freestanding — before any cosmetic work.

71% of Scott County's homes are detached single-family houses and 16% are townhouses or other attached homes; 84% of occupied homes are owner-occupied. The sizable townhouse share means many elevated rear decks where re-staining is awkward, which tilts the value toward composite or PVC.

Minnesota has a statewide building code administered by the Department of Labor and Industry and enforced by municipalities that have adopted it. Before work starts, confirm with the building department for your exact address whether a permit is required, what drawings and inspections it involves, and whether an HOA must approve the design.