Redwood and composite decks, hillside stair systems, and railing installations — engineered for Peninsula grades, permitted correctly, built for coastal conditions.
Con-Heart and Clear Heart redwood — pier engineering for hillside lots, ledger flashing done right, hardware specified for salt air. Built to last in coastal conditions.
Redwood has been the deck material of choice on the Peninsula for decades. It is native to Northern California, dimensionally stable in coastal humidity, and has a natural warmth that composite products approach but do not replicate. Con-Heart grade — clear of knots, cut from the heartwood — is what we specify for deck surfaces where appearance and structural consistency matter. Clear Heart is available where a premium clear face is the priority. We engineer the substructure for your specific lot: pier depth and spacing calculated for the grade, soil, and load. Hillside builds, wrap-around configurations, elevated entries — these are the conditions we work in most on the Peninsula.
The ledger connection is where most Peninsula decks eventually develop problems. The board that attaches the deck frame to the house sits against a wall that gets wet. Without correct flashing detail, water migrates behind the ledger and into the framing — silently, for years — until it becomes a structural repair. We flash every ledger connection correctly and document it for the inspection. All fasteners and hardware are hot-dipped galvanized or stainless — post bases, joist hangers, beam connectors, and deck screws are all specified for the coastal environment. Standard hardware corrodes fast in salt air and we do not use it. If an existing redwood deck is showing signs of ledger or structural deterioration, our rot and structural repair work starts with a thorough assessment before any scope is written.
Redwood pairs naturally with a range of railing and stair options. Matching redwood railings give a cohesive natural look; iron railing systems add a more architectural finish and integrate well with our ironwork and gates work elsewhere on the property. Stairs and landings are designed as part of the deck from the start — not added on after the frame is in. For properties where low maintenance is the priority over natural wood character, see our Trex and composite decking page for a direct comparison of both approaches.
Low-maintenance composite installation by a Trex Gold Partner — no staining, no warping, built for coastal exposure. Hidden fasteners, clean surface.
Trex and comparable composite systems are engineered specifically for the conditions that challenge wood on the Peninsula. No staining, no sanding, no seasonal sealing. The boards do not check, split, or absorb moisture the way wood does, and the color is locked into the material rather than applied on top of it. As a Trex Gold Partner, we install the full product line, maintain current installation certifications, and are familiar with every profile, color, and railing system in the catalog. We can walk you through the options at your estimate and show samples from comparable Peninsula builds.
Composite decking is only as good as the substructure it is fastened to. We build subframes to manufacturer specification — correct joist spacing, proper ventilation beneath the deck surface, and hardware rated for the specific composite product installed. Hidden fastener systems eliminate exposed screw heads for a clean deck surface. On hillside lots we engineer the pier layout and post sizing for the specific grade and load. The ledger connection gets the same care as any deck we build — properly flashed and documented for inspection — because a composite surface on a compromised substructure is still a structural problem. For properties dealing with an existing deteriorated frame, our rot and structural repair work handles assessment and remediation before a new surface goes in.
Composite railings, fascia boards, and post wraps in matching or complementary materials complete the build for a fully integrated look. Iron railing systems are also a strong pairing with composite decking — see our ironwork and gates page for railing options. Stairs can be built in composite or iron depending on the design. For homeowners weighing composite against natural wood, our redwood decks page covers that comparison directly — both materials have a place on the Peninsula and the right choice depends on your site, your maintenance tolerance, and what you value in the finished product.
Hillside access systems, deck-integrated stairs, and entry stair builds engineered for Peninsula grades and soil conditions. Rise/run to California code.
Whether you are connecting a street-level entry to an elevated deck, building a hillside path between yard levels, or adding stairs to an existing structure, we build systems that are safe, code-compliant, and built for the site. Peninsula hillside lots demand more from a stair system than flat sites — steep grades, rocky soils, and tight access require precise engineering and experienced installation. These are the standard conditions we work in most, not the exceptions.
Stairs attached to a deck are structurally connected to the deck frame — not an add-on. The stringer connection to the deck rim joist or beam, the footing at grade, and the railing continuity from deck to stair all need to be designed together. When we build a deck we design the stair integration at the same time. If you are adding stairs to an existing deck, we assess the rim connection point and the landing area at grade before designing the system. For existing stairs showing deterioration, our rot and structural repair work covers tread replacement, stringer assessment, and full restoration.
Railing systems on stairs and landings are governed by California code — required at specific heights above grade, with maximum baluster spacing, minimum railing height, and graspable handrail requirements. We build every railing system to code and design it alongside the stair, not as a separate afterthought. Wood, composite, and iron railing options are all available — iron railings paired with redwood or composite stairs are one of the most common combinations on the Peninsula. For a full look at railing options, see our deck railings page.
Wood, iron, cable, and glass railing systems — designed with the deck or stair, code-compliant, engineered for coastal load conditions.
Railings on decks and stairs are governed by California code — required when the deck surface is 30 inches or more above grade, with specific requirements for railing height (minimum 36 inches on decks, 34–38 inches on stairs), maximum baluster spacing (no sphere larger than 4 inches can pass through), and graspable handrail profiles on stair runs. These are not suggestions and they are enforced at inspection. We design railing systems to meet code requirements precisely while serving the visual intent of the project. A railing that barely passes inspection often looks like it barely passes inspection — we build to code and design for the space.
Post connection is where most railing failures originate. A post that is surface-mounted to the deck rim with inadequate hardware, or set in a base plate that is undersized for the applied load, will move under pressure — and a railing that moves is a safety problem regardless of how it looks. We engineer post connections for the specific substrate and load: through-bolted to the rim joist or beam, sized for the span, and specified for the material — wood, iron, cable, or glass each have different connection requirements. On Peninsula hillside decks where heights above grade can be significant, we take railing structural integrity seriously. If an existing railing has loose posts or feels unstable, our fence and deck repair work covers railing stabilization and hardware replacement.
The railing style sets the tone for the entire outdoor space. Redwood post-and-rail with matching balusters gives a warm, cohesive look on natural wood decks. Iron railings paired with redwood or composite are one of the most common Peninsula combinations — the contrast works well with the architecture here and the material handles salt air when properly finished. For properties where view preservation is the priority, cable and glass systems minimize visual obstruction while meeting every code requirement. We install all four systems and discuss the trade-offs — maintenance, cost, longevity, and aesthetics — at every estimate. See our ironwork and gates page for the full range of iron and steel work we do across the property.
Every material has a place — the right choice depends on your property, your city’s codes, and what you are trying to accomplish.
Redwood is native to Northern California — dimensionally stable in coastal humidity, naturally resistant to the conditions that degrade other wood species, and takes finish well. Con-Heart grade (clear of knots, cut from the heartwood) is what we specify for structural fence applications. It machines cleanly, holds fasteners well, and presents a consistent face from board to board.
Board-on-Board is the most popular layout on the Peninsula — alternating boards on both sides of the stringer create full privacy from every angle while allowing airflow. Dog-Ear single-face is a clean traditional look for flat lots. Both can be built at standard 6-foot height or taller where code allows.
Posts are concrete-set at appropriate depth for your soil and fence height. On rocky or unstable Peninsula soils we use steel post systems that anchor without a full concrete pour. All hardware is hot-dipped galvanized or stainless — standard hardware corrodes fast in coastal air and we do not use it.
Redwood can be left to weather naturally to a silver-gray patina, sealed clear to preserve the warm tone, or finished with a penetrating stain. A properly built redwood fence handles Peninsula conditions with minimal maintenance when finished correctly from the start.
A privacy fence is defined by function — full visual screening from ground to top rail — not by a single material. We build privacy fences in redwood, composite board systems, and vinyl depending on the property. The layout — Board-on-Board, solid-face, or shadowbox — determines the privacy level and how the fence responds to coastal wind.
Most Peninsula cities allow 6-foot privacy fencing in rear and side yards without a permit. Front yard heights are regulated — typically 3 to 4 feet. Corner lots have additional sight-line rules. We pull every permit required and handle all coordination with your city’s building department.
Redwood is the traditional choice and the one we build most often. Composite board systems are a strong alternative where low maintenance is the priority. Vinyl is available but we specify it selectively — it can be problematic on exposed hillside lots with significant wind loading.
Every privacy fence we build can be paired with walk gates, double drive gates, or combination setups — frames built from the same material as the fence, reinforced at the corners, hung on heavy-duty hardware rated for the gate weight.
California Health and Safety Code Section 115922 mandates a compliant barrier around every residential pool and spa. The code requires a minimum 48-inch fence height, maximum 4-inch sphere opening, and self-closing, self-latching gates that open away from the pool. Several Peninsula cities have adopted stricter local amendments — we identify those at the estimate.
Pool fencing is most commonly built in powder-coated aluminum (corrosion-resistant in pool chemical environments) or glass panel systems for an unobstructed view. We also build code-compliant wood pool fences where site conditions support it. Every system uses pool-environment rated hardware throughout.
The gate is the most critical safety element of a pool enclosure. It must be self-closing from any open position, self-latching, and open away from the pool. We specify hinge and closer hardware rated for the actual gate weight — an undersized closer that drifts out of adjustment is a safety failure.
A pool fence permit is required in every Peninsula city. The inspection is more thorough than a standard fence permit. We handle the application, coordinate with the building department, and schedule the inspection. Our enclosures are built to pass on the first visit.
A significant portion of the Peninsula — particularly Pacifica, San Bruno, Millbrae, and unincorporated San Mateo County — sits within CAL FIRE Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones. Fencing is included in the material restrictions. Iron and steel fencing qualifies as non-combustible and is one of the most straightforward ways to meet Zone Zero requirements.
Non-combustible fencing systems include aluminum, steel, masonry, and specific composite products tested and listed by the California State Fire Marshal. Not all composite products qualify — the material must carry the appropriate rating. We maintain current SFM listings for the products we install.
Non-combustible does not mean industrial or plain. Powder-coated aluminum and steel systems are available in a range of profiles and colors that work with both contemporary and traditional Peninsula architecture. We will show you what has been installed on comparable properties in your area.
Fire-zone fence permits require material documentation. We maintain product specs and California State Fire Marshal listings for everything we install and include that documentation in every permit package. If you are unsure whether your property is in a fire hazard zone, we confirm that at the estimate.
The questions we hear most — before the estimate, during the build, and after.
We build in clear heart redwood, cedar, Trex composite, and other leading composite and PVC decking brands. Material choice depends on your budget, maintenance tolerance, sun exposure, and aesthetic. We walk you through the trade-offs at the estimate.
Almost always, yes. Any deck attached to the house or above a certain height — typically 18 to 30 inches depending on the city — requires a building permit. We pull permits and manage the inspection process as part of every deck project.
A well-built redwood deck lasts 15–25 years with periodic maintenance — cleaning, sealing, and board replacement over time. Quality composite decking like Trex is warrantied for 25–30 years and requires almost no maintenance beyond occasional cleaning. The right choice depends on how you want to spend your time and money long-term.
Yes. We assess the structure first — framing, ledger connection, and posts are the critical elements. If the structure is sound, we can replace just the decking surface and railing. If the frame has deteriorated, a full rebuild is usually safer and more cost-effective than piecemeal repair.
Trex is the category leader in composite decking — made from 95% recycled material, available in a wide range of colors and finishes, and backed by a strong warranty. Other quality brands include TimberTech and Fiberon. We install several brands and can help you compare options for your specific project and budget.
A typical residential deck takes one to two weeks from permit approval to completion. Permit timelines vary by city — some Peninsula cities turn permits in a few days, others take longer. We give you a realistic timeline at the estimate based on your city’s current processing times.
Possibly, but it requires engineering review. A filled hot tub adds 80–100 pounds per square foot — far beyond standard deck load assumptions. We assess the existing or planned structure and coordinate with a licensed engineer when required. Do not place a hot tub on an existing deck without having the structure evaluated first.
Free estimates on all fencing, decking, hardscape, and custom build projects across the Peninsula.
