Deck Guides and Resources
Everything we get asked before a deck gets built, written down properly. Real numbers, the village rules that actually apply here, and honest limits on the products we sell. No sign-up, no email gate.
Read before you buy a deck
We wrote these because the answers online are either national averages that do not match Illinois pricing, or manufacturer copy that never names a downside. Ours name both.
- Pricing
What a deck costs in Chicago's northwest suburbs
Real installed price per square foot for pressure-treated, cedar, capped composite and PVC, plus what drives a quote up and where a cheap bid hides the money.
Read the guide - Permits
Deck permits in DuPage County and northwest Cook
Who issues your permit town by town, what each village asks for, footing depth, guardrail triggers and plan review times. We pull the permit on every job we build.
Read the guide - Materials
Composite vs wood decking
Upfront cost, upkeep, lifespan and how each one actually looks after five Illinois winters. Written by a crew that installs both every week and has no reason to push either.
Read the guide - Brands
Trex vs TimberTech
The two biggest composite brands compared on installed cost, heat underfoot, fastener systems and what the warranty really covers when you sell the house.
Read the guide - Brands
Best composite decking brands in 2026
Trex, TimberTech, AZEK, Fiberon and Deckorators, ranked on what matters after installation. We name the limits of every line, including the ones we sell most.
Read the guide
Looking for a quick answer instead? The deck building FAQ covers permits, timelines, materials and maintenance in one place, and we have detail on what the rules are in each of the 19 towns we publish pages for.
Before and after
The guides explain the decisions. These are the results.
Streamwood, IL. An old, low wood deck replaced with a bright white composite deck and black aluminum railings.
Hanover Park, IL. A dated red wood deck rebuilt in warm composite with white posts and black railings.