How Blake’s family traded endless upkeep for a deck that actually gets used in rain or shine.
“After two or three years of replacing rotten boards, my wife and I looked at each other and said, ‘This is getting ridiculous.’ We needed something that would stand the test of time.” — Blake
The Deck Pain Points
Blake’s original wood deck had all the classic Pacific Northwest problems:
Sun baked boards & consistent rain. A south-facing deck meant UV damage all summer and moisture all winter.
Annual weekend marathons of sanding, staining, and swapping warped planks.
A boxed-in feel. Solid wood rails blocked the sweeping view of Mount Hood.
No way to connect upstairs grilling with downstairs gatherings. Without exterior stairs, the family shuttled food through the house.
Wasted real estate beneath the deck. Rainfall turned the lower patio into a no-go zone nine months of the year.
“Every year I was out there re-staining. The deck was only ten years old, but keeping it safe and good-looking had turned into a part-time job.” — Blake
Blake’s Deck Wishlist
When we sat down with Blake he made his vision clear:
Zero maintenance decking: “We knew about composite decking like Trex, and we wanted that 25-year warranty.”
Solid structure: “I didn’t know you could frame everything in steel. That sold me on never worrying about warping or rot.”
Dry, usable under-deck space: “The zip-up ceiling was a game-changer. Twice the outdoor living area, even when it’s pouring.”
An open view: Cable railing to erase the “picket-fence” feeling.
Lighting: LED tread lights for the dog’s late-night outings.
Exterior stairs — One continuous flow from Traeger to fire pit.
Designing a Deck That Fit the Home
During design meetings, we used 3-D renderings to work through each detail. When the HVAC condenser threatened to block the stair landing, our estimator Leif offered a suggestion:
“He said, ‘Let’s bump the deck out a bit—gives you space for the grill and clears the A/C.’ Problem solved in five minutes.” — Blake
Steel beams & helical piers kept everything level and future-proof.
Deckorators® Voyage composite boards delivered a realistic wood grain with a 25 year material and labor warranty.
Powder-coated aluminum posts and stainless cable allowed the view of the deck to breath and feel open.
Zip-Up® under-deck drainage plus recessed lighting transformed the space beneath the deck into it’s own room and hangout area instead of just the underside of a deck.
The Build Experience
Blake wasn’t just impressed by the choice of materials, he was blown away by the process.
“I’d get a text every morning: ‘We’re on the way.’ No guessing, no chasing anyone down. The crew was clean, prompt, and great communicators.”
Even the inevitable field changes were handled on the spot, on budget, and always with Blake’s sign-off.
Life on the New Deck
Since the upgrade, the deck has gone from “mostly decorative” to the family’s favorite room:
Easy entertaining. Graduation parties, welcome-home gatherings, and impromptu hot-tub nights now fill the weekly schedule.
Daily use. “We’re out here almost every day,” Blake says. “Before, the deck was unused.”
Open views. Cable railing opens up the deck to Mount Hood and beautiful Washington Evergreens.
Dry lower patio. With Zip Up the space beneath the deck unlocks into a second room and outdoor space. They even put a couch with full trust that it would stay dry.
“It feels like our outdoor space doubled. People can be up top grilling, down below by the fire pit, and it’s all connected.”
Why Blake Recommends Cascade Fence & Deck
Transparent communication from first sketch to final walkthrough
Creative problem-solving when obstacles popped up
Financing options that kept the project moving
A team that genuinely cares how the finished product makes you feel
“Replacing a deck isn’t small. Cascade made it simple—and I trusted them start to finish.”
Ready to Build Your Deck?
If you’re dreaming about a low-maintenance deck that finally lives up to the way you want to use your backyard, let’s talk. We’ll listen to your pain points—just like we did with Blake—and design a space tailored to your home, your lifestyle, and our Northwest climate.
