Custom Deck Builder and Installation in Northern Illinois

A trusted custom deck builder in Northern Illinois expands a home’s footprint with finished, usable square footage. It serves as the initial surface underfoot when opening the back door and stands as the primary visual feature from the yard. Structural options range from low-maintenance composite platforms and standard picture-frame borders to complex multi-level, pool, and rooftop installations. Echelon Deck Group maps every project in a 3D design presentation before construction begins, establishing a single, cohesive scope for the outdoor space.

The back of a two-story tan house with a large white deck and a lawn recently seeded with patches of green hydroseed. The house has tan siding and white trim around the windows and sliding glass door. The deck is white with white railings and two sets of stairs leading down to the lawn.

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A large, glossy grey deck is shown outside a tan-colored house with a white railing. The deck boards appear wet and reflect the surrounding trees.

Premium Deck Materials

The board underfoot determines the deck’s look, upkeep, and long-term cost.

  • Composite: Trex, TimberTech, Fiberon, and AZEK product lines; no annual staining or sealing; manufacturer warranties cover decades of performance.
  • Pressure-Treated: Kiln-dried, ground-contact-rated lumber on every project; accepts stain and paint.
  • Cedar: Weathers to a silver-gray patina untreated, or holds a stained tone with routine maintenance.
  • Labor Warranty: 1 year on composite, 3 months on pressure-treated.
A two-story brown composite deck with black metal railings and a staircase attached to a white house with light siding.

Specialized Deck Construction

Not every lot calls for a single-level rectangle, and expert custom deck installation in Northern Illinois, ensures the design matches the property’s grade and layout.

  • Multi-Level: Tiered platforms that step down with the grade, connected by stairs and landings.
  • Pool Decks: Graded away from the pool edge, with slip-resistant composite or PVC surfaces.
  • Swim/Spa Decks: Framing reinforced for the unit’s full weight, with access panels for servicing.
  • Curved Decks: Radius framing with precision bending or kerfing to hold the curve under load.
  • Rooftop Decks: Pedestal or sleeper systems over waterproof membranes, with lightweight composite.
A high-angle, close-up shot of a worker installing brown composite decking. The worker, wearing gray gloves, uses a yellow measuring tape and a pencil to mark a deck board for cutting. Several tools and materials are visible on the partially completed deck.

Deck Remodeling and Resurfacing

A deck 10 years old or younger with sound framing can be resurfaced by an experienced custom deck contractor in Northern Illinois, rather than torn down. Old boards come off, the substructure is inspected and brought up to code, and new decking goes down on the existing frame.

  • Framing Inspection: Every joist, ledger, and post is checked before new material goes on.
  • Framing Repairs: Aged-out wood is replaced when the inspection identifies structural issues.
  • New Surface: Composite, pressure-treated, or cedar.
  • Scope Add-Ons: Railing, lighting, and stair reconfiguration available within the same project.
A high-angle, close-up shot of a worker installing brown composite decking. The worker, wearing gray gloves, uses a yellow measuring tape and a pencil to mark a deck board for cutting. Several tools and materials are visible on the partially completed deck.

Deck Inlays and Picture-Frame Borders

A picture-frame border is included on every deck by a leading custom deck company in Northern Illinois, no upcharge. It wraps the perimeter with a contrasting board color and hides cut ends. Additional inlay work is available beyond the standard border.

  • Picture-Frame Border (Standard): A clean perimeter board that defines the edge on every build.
  • Inlay Patterns: Diagonal layouts, herringbone sections, contrasting borders, and center medallions.
  • Design Phase Pricing: All inlay work scoped and priced before framing begins.

Where the Standard Comes From

Echelon Deck Group began in 2021 when Andrew DeBruyne left a major national contracting firm to partner with Gil Alvarez on a different approach to backyard construction. A shared commitment to higher installation standards launched what is now a two-crew operation backed by 15 years of combined experience. The company maintains clear project tracking through an online client portal that keeps the entire construction schedule visible from day one through the final walkthrough.

A Closer Look at Quality You Can Walk On

Every Project Tells a Story

Reputation is built one project at a time. Read what homeowners said when the work was done.

Custom Deck Contractor FAQs

How long does a custom deck project take from design to completion?
Most projects are completed within 2.5 weeks of construction start. The design phase takes about one week, followed by two days for the estimate. Permits are handled in-house.
Composite is made of wood fibers and polymers, capped with a protective shell; it resists fading, staining, mold, and insects, with no annual maintenance. Pressure-treated lumber is natural lumber with chemical preservatives; it resists rot and insects but requires periodic staining or sealing.
Can an existing deck be resurfaced instead of replaced?
Yes, if the substructure is sound and the deck is 10 years old or younger. Old boards are removed, framing is inspected, and new decking is installed over the existing frame. Rot, splitting, or code deficiency requires a partial or complete rebuild.
Composite: Trex, TimberTech, Fiberon, and AZEK. Pressure-treated lumber at a lower cost per square foot. Cedar on request.