Custom deck design and construction built for South Lake Tahoe. Sten Construction builds new and replacement decks around Tahoe's heavy snow, freeze-thaw cycles, drainage requirements and demanding mountain conditions, from structural framing and footings to decking, railings and stairs.

Deck Construction Built for South Lake Tahoe Conditions

Building a deck in Lake Tahoe is different from building one at lower elevation. Heavy winter snow, freeze-thaw cycles, intense seasonal exposure, sloped properties and moisture all affect how the structure needs to be planned and built.

Sten Construction approaches every South Lake Tahoe deck from the structure outward. Footings, framing, drainage, flashing, hardware and decking materials are selected around the property and the conditions the deck will face throughout the year.



That means looking beyond how the deck appears in summer and making sure the structure underneath it is prepared for years of Tahoe winters.

A successful custom deck starts before construction begins. The layout needs to work with the home, the property, the views and the way you actually want to use the outdoor space.

Sten Construction helps coordinate the deck design and build process, including layout, material selection, stairs, railings, structural requirements and construction planning. We regularly work alongside architects, designers and structural engineers when a project requires additional plans or engineering.



If you already have plans, we can build from them. If you're still working through the concept, we'll help identify the practical construction requirements and coordinate the next steps needed to move the project toward permitting and construction.

When we started this project, the client wanted a clean, minimal look to optimize the view of the surrounding forest. We accomplished this by creating a minimalist design handrail with fortress panels. We attached the panels in a manner that did not require any additional picture framing or metal fortress tracks, thus optimizing the view and allowing the handrail to blend into the natural landscape.



All the decking and handrails were installed with hidden fasteners. The space under the deck was enclosed with a large door installed on the backside to create storage for all the patio furniture and summer toys.

Structure protects everyone — homeowner and builder. Here's what to expect from start to finish.

Start with what's under the deck. Footings in Tahoe need to sit 36-42 inches below grade to get below the frost line. If they're too shallow, freeze-thaw cycles will heave the posts and rack your entire frame within a few seasons. Soil conditions vary lot to lot, rocky ground may require drilling rather than digging, and slopes often mean stepped footings or engineered piers.

Think about what the deck needs to carry. Snow loads at elevation can exceed 100 pounds per square foot, which means your joists, beams, and connections all need to be sized for far more than foot traffic and furniture. A deck that feels solid in summer can fail under a heavy snow year if it wasn't engineered for the load.

Choose decking material carefully. At 6,200 feet, UV exposure is roughly 25% more intense than at sea level. Wood decking fades and splits faster, requiring refinishing every 2-3 years. Composite holds up better against UV and snow shoveling, but not all composites perform equally at altitude, cheaper products can warp or become brittle in extreme cold.

Factor in permitting and setbacks. Depending on your jurisdiction, decks may count toward your lot's allowable coverage under TRPA rules. Setback requirements, height limits, and railing codes all vary, and getting these wrong means tearing out finished work. We handle these details upfront so the build goes smoothly from day one.

Let's talk

We'll walk you through what's involved, footings, materials, snow-load engineering, and give you a detailed bid so you know exactly what to expect before any work begins.