Eau Claire, WI · Trusted Home Improvement Since 1993
Deck building and railing installation in Eau Claire, WI, including low-maintenance aluminum railing and decking. Built for Chippewa Valley freeze-thaw. Call (715) 894-1120.
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Midwest Home Improvements
Midwest Home Improvements builds custom decks and installs railing across Eau Claire, WI, and the surrounding Chippewa Valley, and we've been doing it since 1993. A deck is one of the few home improvements that pays you back every single day you use it, so you want someone who's framed hundreds of them and knows exactly where corners get cut and why that costs you more later. Owner Stephen Bonander has seen what 30-plus Wisconsin winters do to a deck that wasn't built right, and he builds every one to last. Call (715) 894-1120 to set up your free on-site estimate.
The cost of a new deck depends on size, decking material, railing type, height above grade, and how complex the framing needs to be. Pressure-treated lumber decks run on the lower end; composite decking with cable or glass railing systems push the total significantly higher. A basic ground-level deck might run a few thousand dollars while a multi-level structure with custom railing and built-in features can reach $20,000 or more. Cost drivers include site access, frost footings required by Wisconsin code, and whether demo of an existing structure is involved. Every job is different, so contact Midwest Home Improvements for an accurate estimate.
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The foundation is everything. In Wisconsin, footings have to go below the frost line, which means 48 inches minimum. A lot of decks you see pulling away from the house or rocking underfoot were set on footings that weren't deep enough, or weren't set at all. We don't skip that step. Every deck Midwest Home Improvements builds starts with proper footings, correctly sized beams, and framing that won't twist or heave when the ground freezes and thaws. It's not glamorous work, but it's the difference between a deck that's solid in year 15 and one that's a liability by year 5. If you want to see what that looks like finished, check out our recent projects.
The workhorse of deck building. It's affordable, widely available, and plenty durable when properly sealed and maintained. It needs attention every couple of years or the surface will crack and splinter. For budget-conscious builds, it's hard to argue against it.
Brands like Trex and TimberTech give you a wood-look surface without the yearly sealing and staining. It costs more upfront, but maintenance drops significantly. Composite holds up well to Wisconsin freeze-thaw cycles and won't splinter under bare feet.
Naturally resistant to rot and insects, these options look beautiful and hold stain well. They sit in the middle on price and require periodic maintenance, but they age gracefully when cared for. If aesthetics matter as much as durability, cedar is worth the conversation.
Classic look, pairs naturally with pressure-treated or cedar decking. It needs staining or painting to stay sharp. Solid choice for traditional home styles.
Low maintenance and won't rot or rust. Aluminum powder-coat finishes hold color well and don't need annual upkeep. Good for homeowners who want clean lines without the painting schedule.
Horizontal stainless steel cables give you an open sightline that wood and aluminum can't match. Increasingly popular on decks with good views. Posts need to be engineered to handle the tension loads correctly — this isn't a job to improvise.
Maximum visibility, premium look. Tempered glass panels in aluminum frames are durable and easy to clean. They're the most expensive railing option but genuinely dramatic on the right deck.
Aluminum is the railing and decking material we recommend most often for Eau Claire homes, and the reason is the weather. The Chippewa Valley runs through dozens of freeze-thaw cycles between November and April, and every one of those cycles works at wood joints, fasteners, and finishes until something loosens or splits. Powder-coated aluminum railing doesn't rot, doesn't rust, and doesn't need the annual scrape-and-repaint that a wood rail demands to stay safe and sharp. Paired with a low-maintenance decking surface like aluminum or composite board, you get an outdoor structure that shrugs off Wisconsin winters instead of degrading through them.
Here's why aluminum keeps winning on the decks we build around Eau Claire:
Aluminum railing and low-maintenance decking still sit on the same foundation every deck needs. In Wisconsin, footings have to reach below the frost line, which means 48 inches minimum around Eau Claire, and that depth is what keeps the whole structure from heaving when the ground freezes. A beautiful aluminum rail on shallow footings is still a deck that rocks by year five. As for the paperwork, most decks in Eau Claire need a building permit, especially any structure attached to the house or elevated 30 inches or more above grade. We pull it through the City of Eau Claire when your project is inside city limits, or the appropriate town or county office if you're outside them, and we build to the inspection the permit sets up. Want to talk through aluminum options for your deck? Call (715) 894-1120 or request a free estimate online.
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People overthink the lighter-or-darker question. Here's the honest answer: your deck doesn't need to match your house exactly, but it shouldn't fight it either. Darker deck tones tend to ground the structure visually and hide dirt better. Lighter tones make a small space feel larger and complement pale siding well. The key is making sure railing color complements both. We can walk you through options on-site with actual material samples, which is a lot more useful than staring at photos online. If you're also thinking about other exterior upgrades, our siding services pair well with a new deck build.
Not every call we get needs a full rebuild. A deck with a few soft boards, a wobbly post, or corroded hardware can often be repaired for a fraction of replacement cost. What we won't do is repair a deck that's structurally compromised at the ledger board or the footings, charge you for it, and send you back into a structure that isn't safe. If we get out there and the bones are gone, we'll tell you directly. Some contractors patch over problems because it's easier to close a sale that way. We don't. If repair is the right call, that's what we'll recommend. If a full rebuild is what you actually need, we'll explain exactly why. You can also pair a new deck project with stamped concrete work if you're planning a patio below.
Midwest Home Improvements has been building decks and installing railing across the region since 1993. Honest work, built to code, built to last. Call (715) 894-1120 or reach out online to schedule your free estimate.
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