Triple-Level Deck Replacement in Hixson: TimberTech Decking, Aluminum Railing and a New Screen Room
We replaced a large, older wood deck in Hixson, TN with a new triple-level deck built from TimberTech Harvest decking in Brownstone, black aluminum railing, and an upgraded aluminum-framed screen room. The new deck sits on reinforced concrete and rebar footers, and the entire build was permitted and inspected by engineers.
Project at a Glance
| Detail | What we built |
|---|---|
| Location | Hixson, TN (Hamilton County) |
| Deck | Full replacement of a large, older wood deck with a new triple-level deck |
| Decking | TimberTech Harvest in Brownstone |
| Railing | Black aluminum, replacing worn wood railing |
| Screen room | Upgraded aluminum-framed screen room, replacing the existing one |
| Structure | Reinforced concrete and rebar footers |
| Permits and inspection | Permitted, then inspected by engineers |
| Builder | Armor Xteriors |
The Starting Point: A Large Wood Deck That Needed More Than Repairs
The homeowners came to us with a big, older wood deck spread across three levels, a worn wood railing, and a screen room that was due for an upgrade. The whole structure was aging, and the railing in particular was worn out.
When a deck is this large and this old, patching boards rarely solves the real problem. Replacing a few boards doesn’t change what’s underneath them, and it doesn’t change the railing, the footings, or how the levels tie together. Starting fresh meant we could rebuild the whole thing, all three levels, to current standards.
That meant tearing the old deck out completely and replacing four things: the structure underneath, the decking, the railing, and the screen room.
Built From the Ground Up: Reinforced Footers, Permits and Engineer Inspection
A deck is only as good as what’s under it. For this project, we set the new structure on reinforced concrete and rebar footers. Footers carry the weight of the deck, and everything on it, down into the soil, and the rebar adds strength to the concrete. On a deck with three levels, that foundation matters even more, because every level adds height and load. The exact footer size, depth and layout come from the design and local code.
The whole project was permitted and inspected by engineers. Hamilton County Building Inspection requires a building permit for any new, altered, added or repaired structure, and decks aren’t on its list of exemptions. Which office handles your permit depends on where the home sits: inside Chattanooga city limits, in unincorporated Hamilton County, or in a town like Red Bank that runs its own permits.
We handle that paperwork and schedule the inspections. For the homeowners, that means an independent check that the deck was built to hold up, plus a permit record that helps when it’s time to sell. If you’re wondering why this matters, we wrote about why hiring a licensed contractor who pulls permits protects you.
The Decking: TimberTech Harvest in Brownstone
For the surface, we used TimberTech Harvest decking in Brownstone, a light, warm tan. Harvest is part of TimberTech’s Advanced PVC line. It’s a capped polymer board with no wood fibers, so it’s built to avoid the problems wood decks run into over time.
Here’s what that means for the homeowners, based on TimberTech’s product information:
- No staining, sealing or sanding. Upkeep is an occasional scrub and rinse.
- Built to resist moisture damage. It resists mold and mildew, and it won’t rot, splinter, crack or cup, which matters in Chattanooga’s humid summers and on shaded levels that stay damp.
- Fade and stain protection. The cap layer resists UV fading and staining.
- Comfort underfoot. TimberTech says Harvest stays cooler to the touch and has better wet and dry traction than competing products.
- Warranty coverage. TimberTech lists a 50-year fade and stain limited warranty and a limited lifetime product warranty. Terms apply, so read the details before you buy any decking.
Brownstone also pairs well with the black aluminum railing on this deck. The lighter tan boards make the dark railing stand out as a clean outline around each level.
Prefer another brand? We build with Trex too. See our Trex decking options.
The Railing: Black Aluminum Replaces Worn Wood
The old wood railing was worn out, so it came off with the rest of the deck. In its place, we installed black aluminum railing.
Aluminum made sense here for a few reasons. It won’t rot or need staining, and it holds up to Tennessee’s humidity and temperature swings. The thin balusters also keep sightlines open, which helps on a multi-level deck where you want to see the yard from every level.
Railing is also a safety item. Residential building code generally requires guards on decks that sit more than 30 inches above the ground, and inspectors typically check railing height and spacing. On a three-level deck, new railing is part of doing the job right.
The trade-off is style and price. Aluminum has a cleaner, more modern look than wood, and it costs more up front. For a deck that’s meant to need little upkeep, most homeowners find that’s a fair exchange.
The Screen Room: An Upgraded Aluminum Frame
The home’s existing screen room also got replaced. The new one has an aluminum frame, which won’t rot and doesn’t need painting or staining the way a wood frame does.
A screen room is what turns a deck into a place you’ll actually use in July. It keeps the bugs out, gives you shade and cover from light rain, and still lets the breeze through. Because it was part of the same permitted, inspected project as the deck, the homeowners get one coordinated build instead of an addition tacked onto something else.
If your screen room is sagging, torn or showing its age, it’s worth pricing out at the same time as any deck work. The crew and the permit are already in place, so the project tends to go more smoothly than doing the two pieces years apart. You can learn more about our screened-in porch and screen room work.
How a Full Deck Replacement Comes Together
Every project is a little different, but a full replacement like this one generally follows these steps:
- Site visit and design. We look at the existing deck, the lot and how you use the space, then plan the levels, railing and screen room.
- Permit and engineering. We prepare the plans, pull the permit and line up the engineering review.
- Demolition. The old deck, railing and screen room come out, and the site is cleared.
- Footers. Reinforced concrete and rebar footers go in first, since everything else rests on them.
- Framing and inspection. The structure is framed, then inspected before any decking goes down.
- Decking, railing and screen room. The decking, railing and screen room are installed once the structure passes.
- Final inspection and walkthrough. The inspector signs off, and we walk the finished project with you.
The order can shift depending on the home and the weather, but the principle holds: the structure gets built and checked before the parts you see get installed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is TimberTech Harvest decking composite or PVC?
TimberTech Harvest is part of TimberTech’s Advanced PVC line. It’s a capped polymer board with no wood fibers, which is different from wood-plastic composite boards that blend wood fiber with plastic.
What warranty does TimberTech Harvest come with?
TimberTech lists a 50-year fade and stain limited warranty and a limited lifetime product warranty for Harvest. Warranty terms and exclusions apply, so ask your contractor for the current written terms.
Do I need a permit to replace a deck in Hixson, TN?
In most cases, yes. Hamilton County Building Inspection requires a permit for any new, altered, added or repaired structure, and decks aren’t on its exemption list. The office that handles it depends on whether your home is in Chattanooga, unincorporated Hamilton County or a town that runs its own permits, so confirm with your local office or let your contractor handle it.
Why use reinforced concrete and rebar footers for a deck?
Footers carry the deck’s weight down into the soil, and rebar adds strength to the concrete. On a multi-level deck, a solid foundation matters even more. Footer size, depth and reinforcement are set by the deck’s design and local building code.
Is aluminum railing better than wood railing?
For upkeep and lifespan, usually yes. Aluminum won’t rot and doesn’t need staining or sealing, and its thin balusters keep views open. Wood costs less up front but needs regular maintenance, and the style is different.
Does Armor Xteriors build decks and screen rooms in Hixson?
Yes. We build decks, screen rooms, railing, siding, roofing and windows for homeowners in Hixson and across the Chattanooga area. To talk through your project, call (423) 760-3333 for a free estimate.
Planning a Deck Project in Hixson?
If you have an older deck, railing or screen room that’s past its prime, we’d be glad to take a look. Armor Xteriors builds decks and screen rooms across Hixson and the Chattanooga area, and we handle the design, permit and inspections for you. Call (423) 760-3333 or request a free estimate.
This home’s siding was replaced as part of the same project. We’ll cover that in its own post.
