Deck Builders in Gig Harbor, WA

We cross the Tacoma Narrows Bridge to work as deck builders in Gig Harbor, and the homes on the peninsula ask for something a little different. Gig Harbor's residents skew older: the 2020 census put the median age at 48.2, with 30% of residents 65 or older. That shapes what people want from a deck: low maintenance, steps that are easy on the knees, railings you can actually lean on and a covered spot to enjoy the water view on a gray day.

Designing for the long haul

If you plan to stay in your home for years, the deck should get easier to live with over time, not harder. For many Gig Harbor homeowners, that means:

• Composite or capped decking that does not need sanding or restaining
• Wider, shallower stairs with continuous handrails on both sides where space allows
• Fewer level changes, so the deck and the house meet at one step or none
• Good lighting on stairs and edges for the long winter evenings
• A covered section near the door so the walk out is not slick with rain

Harbor weather

Gig Harbor has a marine west coast climate: warm, dry summers and cool, wet winters with occasional snow. November is the wettest month at about 6.1 inches, while August averages only about 0.8 inches. Decks here go through long damp stretches under firs and cedars, which is where moss and algae get a foothold. Composite decking can be washed clean; wood decks need regular cleaning and a fresh coat of sealer before the rain settles in. We offer both building and staining and sealing, so you can pick the path that suits you.

Views from the water's edge to the hilltops

The city stretches from the historic waterfront around the bay up toward State Route 16, and many homes look out over the harbor or Puget Sound. Hillside lots often call for elevated decks or decks that step down in tiers. For view decks, we suggest railing infill such as cable or glass that keeps sightlines open, and we plan stair landings so the descent to the yard is comfortable rather than steep.

A growing city with new homes and old ones

Gig Harbor grew 68.8% between 2010 and 2020, from 7,126 to 12,029 residents, as residential growth pushed the city limits west to SR 16. That leaves a mix: older homes near the harbor with decks that have seen a lot of weather, and newer houses where the builder's original deck was small or basic. We do both repair and replacement on older decks and expansions or full rebuilds on newer homes.

Permits on the peninsula

Gig Harbor is its own city, so permits for homes inside city limits start with the City. Ask early whether shoreline or historic-waterfront review applies to your lot. Requirements depend on the deck's height, size, attachment and location on the lot. We confirm with the City what your project needs and include that work in our written scope, so you are not left sorting it out on your own.

Getting across the bridge

We are based in Tacoma, and Gig Harbor is about six miles up State Route 16 from Interstate 5 by way of the Narrows bridges. Estimates and site visits on the peninsula are within our service area. Call (253) 525-5245 to set one up, and we will follow up with a written quote.

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