Custom Deck Builder and Installation in Duluth, MN

Replace a rotting or unstable deck with a safer, low-maintenance space built right, from the framing up.

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Custom Deck Design

A custom deck should fit the way your lot slopes and the way your family actually uses the yard, not a standard rectangle. As a custom deck builder and custom deck contractor in Duluth, MN, Hill and Harbor designs each project around your property, your view, and the features you want built in from the start.

Multi-level decks for sloped Duluth lots
Tiered layouts that separate cooking and seating areas
Curved decking using in-house heat bending equipment
Custom inlays and decorative border details
Layout planning around existing trees or grades
Design provided before any material is ordered
Framing planned to support each level and curve

Custom Deck Materials

Every custom deck installation in Duluth starts with a decking choice, and that choice affects how much time you spend maintaining it later. TimberTech Advanced PVC is our top recommendation for its resistance to moisture and fading, with Trex available as a proven alternative.

TimberTech Advanced PVC, our primary recommendation
Trex composite decking in multiple color lines
No wood decking, since it requires ongoing upkeep
Color and board pattern options for each product
Built for 25 to 50 year material lifespans
Samples brought to your site visit before you decide
No resurfacing over old or compromised framing

Railing Options

Railing affects both the safety and the look of your finished deck, and the right system depends on your view and how open you want the space to feel. We install two primary railing systems, chosen for their durability in Duluth’s climate and their fit with modern deck design.

Westbury aluminum railing, our most installed system
Cable railing for open sightlines toward a view
Options suited to Lake Superior area properties
Powder-coated finishes that resist chipping and rust
No painting or staining required after installation
Styles that pair with composite or PVC decking
Railing height and spacing built to current code

Lighting and Deck Upgrades

Lighting and drainage upgrades extend how and when you use your deck, and both are planned as part of the full build rather than added on afterward. These features are installed alongside your custom deck project so wiring, framing, and drainage are accounted for from the start. For shade or enclosed space, our outdoor living contractor services add pergolas and season rooms to the same plan.

Trex and TimberTech integrated deck lighting
eFuse lighting for post caps, stairs, and rails
Trex RainEscape underdeck drainage for elevated decks
Dry, usable space created beneath an elevated deck
Lighting placement planned during the design phase
Wiring routed through the framing before decking goes down
Upgrades built into the project, not bolted on later

Deck Framing and Construction

Many of our calls start with a deck that is rotting, unstable, or no longer safe to stand on. As a custom deck company in Duluth, we would rather rebuild the frame correctly with PWT treated LVLs and KDAT lumber than cover up a structure that cannot support new decking.

PWT treated LVLs for flatter, stronger framing
KDAT lumber for reduced warping and shrinkage
Traditional pressure-treated framing where appropriate
Full rebuilds instead of resurfacing questionable structures
Framing inspected and explained before decking begins
Posts and beams sized for Duluth snow loads
Permitting handled after project approval

A Local Deck Specialist You Can Reach

Seth Olson founded Hill and Harbor in 2025, after years in reconstruction, to replace unsafe, rotting decks with custom-built decks designed to last. You work with him directly, start to finish, and he holds a Minnesota Contractor License, NADRA membership, and TrexPro status.

See Recent Deck Projects

Browse past projects, including our Lake Superior deck, to picture what a custom deck installation could look like at your home. If something catches your eye, reach out, and we can talk through your own project.

Serving Homeowners Throughout the Duluth Region

Hill and Harbor Construction builds custom decks for homeowners throughout the greater Duluth area, including:

Read What Duluth Families Say About Us

Read what past clients say, then picture that same experience happening at your own home.

Custom Decks FAQs

What decking material do you recommend for a new custom deck?

TimberTech Advanced PVC and Trex are the two decking materials we install on new custom decks. Both are designed to resist rot, fading, and moisture, so you won’t need to stain or seal the boards every year. We lean toward Advanced PVC because it holds up well in Duluth’s freeze-thaw cycles.

How much upkeep does a maintenance-free deck actually need?

A maintenance-free deck still needs occasional cleaning, but it does not need staining, sealing, or board replacement. Composite and PVC decking resist rot and splintering, which matters through Duluth’s snow, ice, and humidity swings. You can rinse the surface a couple of times a year and check the railing hardware.

Should I choose cable railing or aluminum railing?

Cable railing works well on decks with a view, since thin lines keep sightlines open. Westbury aluminum railing is a sturdier, lower-maintenance option that withstands Duluth winters without warping. The right choice depends on your view, your privacy needs, and your yard’s layout.

Can you build a multi-level deck on a sloped lot?

Yes, we build multi-level and tiered decks regularly, since many Duluth lots have noticeable slope. A tiered design can separate a grilling area from a seating area, or step toward a view. We plan the framing for each level during the design phase so the transitions feel intentional, not improvised.