Costs less than a rebuild
Re-Decking and Deck Board Replacement Over Your Existing Frame
If your frame is still solid you do not need a new deck. Deck board replacement keeps the structure, swaps the surface, and costs a lot less than a rebuild.
No obligation and no pressure. We walk the yard, talk through options, and give you a written price.
Quick answer
Re-decking swaps the boards and railings and keeps your existing frame, so it costs less than a full rebuild. There is no demolition of the structure, no new footings and no new posts. New capped composite runs $55 to $80 per square foot installed. We inspect the frame free before we quote. Get a free estimate.
A new deck look without a new deck price
A fraction of a full rebuild
You are not paying for demolition of the frame, new footings or new posts. The savings come off the most labor-heavy part of the job.
Days, not weeks
Most re-decks finish in a few days instead of a few weeks. There is no footing inspection to wait on and far less time with your yard torn up.
Switch to composite while you are at it
Most people re-deck to get off the staining treadmill. Same frame, new composite surface, and a 25 to 50 year board warranty.
Is your deck a re-deck candidate?
The surface fails long before the frame does
Deck boards take the weather. They sit flat, hold water and face the sun all day, so they split, cup and grey out first.
The frame lives underneath in the shade, usually in pressure-treated lumber, and it often has years left when the surface looks finished. A grey, splintery deck is not automatically a dead deck.
That is the whole case for re-decking. You are replacing the part that wore out and keeping the part that did not.
What we check before we say yes
We will not re-deck over a structure that cannot carry it. The inspection is short and it decides everything.
- Posts at grade. Soft or spongy means the answer is replacement, not re-decking.
- The ledger at the house. Rot here is the most common serious find and it is not something you skin over.
- Joists, hangers and spacing. Composite needs tighter joist spacing than wood. If yours is too wide, we can sometimes sister in joists rather than rebuild.
If it fails, we say so. Selling you a re-deck on a bad frame just means doing it twice.
New surface, new railings, same footprint
Since the boards are coming off anyway, this is the moment to change the things that bother you.
Most re-decks pair a composite surface with new aluminum or cable railings. That combination is what actually makes the deck look brand new from the yard.
Cedar over an existing frame is also on the table if you want to stay in real wood.
How a re-deck runs
Free structural inspection
We come out and look underneath. Posts, ledger, joists and hangers. You get a straight answer on whether re-decking is safe and worth it.
Pick your surface and railings
Composite, PVC or cedar, plus the railing system. We bring real samples so you see the color in your own light.
Old boards off, repairs in
We strip the surface and address anything the inspection flagged, like a failed hanger or a joist that needs sistering.
New surface down
Boards, fascia, trim and railings go on. Full site clean, then we walk the finished deck with you.
Deck Resurfacing and Re-Decking across DuPage County and the northwest suburbs
We're based in Roselle and build in these towns every week.
Related deck services
Deck Replacement
If the frame is gone, this is the honest answer. Full tear-out and rebuild.
Learn moreComposite & Trex Decks
The surface most re-decks move to. No staining and a long manufacturer warranty.
Learn moreDeck Railings
New railings are what make a re-decked deck read as brand new from the yard.
Learn moreDecks we have rebuilt
Drag the handle to see what these looked like before we started. Same crew, same standard, whichever service you need.
Roselle, IL. A weathered wood deck rebuilt as a low-maintenance grey composite deck with white railings.
Streamwood, IL. An old, low wood deck replaced with a bright white composite deck and black aluminum railings.
Re-decking and resurfacing questions
What is the difference between re-decking and deck replacement?
Re-decking keeps your existing frame and replaces only the surface boards and usually the railings. Replacement tears out everything down to the footings and starts over. Re-decking costs considerably less, and it is only an option when the structure underneath is sound.
How much does re-decking cost compared to a full rebuild?
Meaningfully less, because you are not paying for demolition of the frame, new footings or new posts. The exact saving depends on the size of the deck and the surface you choose. We price both options at the estimate so you can see the gap.
How do I know if my frame is good enough to re-deck?
Push a screwdriver into the posts at ground level. If the wood is firm, that is a good sign. If it sinks in, the structure is done. We do a proper inspection free, including the ledger where the deck meets the house, which is the failure point you cannot see.
Can I put composite boards on an old wood frame?
Often yes, with one caveat. Composite needs tighter joist spacing than wood decking. If your existing joists are spaced too wide, we can sometimes add joists rather than rebuild. We check the spacing during the inspection.
Do I need a permit to re-deck?
It varies by village. Some treat a surface-only replacement as maintenance, others want a permit for any structural work. We check with your town and pull it if it is required. See our permit guide.
How long does a re-deck take?
Most re-decks take a few days rather than the two to four weeks a full rebuild needs. There are no footings to dig and no footing inspection to schedule, which removes the slowest part of the process.
Find out if you can keep your frame
Free structural inspection. We look underneath and tell you honestly whether a re-deck will do the job. If it will, that is what we quote.