Framing & Structural · Twin Cities West Metro
The Bones ThatHold Everything Up.
Ledger connections, post footings, beam sizing — we do the structural work right the first time. Every build starts with a foundation that won't shift, heave, or fail inspection.
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Structural Work
What Framing Covers
Framing is invisible once the decking goes on, but it's the reason a deck either lasts 30 years or fails in 10. The critical decisions — footing depth, ledger attachment method, beam sizing for span and snow load — get made during the framing phase. That's where this work lives or dies.
Minnesota's frost line sits at 42 inches below grade in the Twin Cities. That's how deep every post footing has to go. Homes built before current code are often sitting on shallow footings that heave and shift — we see decks pitched 3–4 inches off level in older neighborhoods. A new framing system cures it permanently.
Post Footings
Below Frost LineConcrete poured footings or helical piers driven to 42" minimum depth — the foundation everything else rests on. Set wrong and the whole deck moves. Set right and it's stable for decades.
Ledger Attachment
House ConnectionThe connection between your deck and your house is the most critical structural detail and the most commonly failed inspection point. We flash every ledger, space it for drainage, and bolt it per IRC span tables. No shortcuts here.
Beam & Joist System
Span EngineeringBeam sizing, joist span, cantilever limits, blocking — all of it follows the IRC span tables and MN load requirements. We build for MN snow load (ground snow load 42 psf in the metro) and don't cut corners on joist hangers or post connections.
Substructure Repair
Rot & DamageRotted joists, failed post bases, compromised beams — we assess the structural condition and replace what needs to go while preserving what can be saved. Often a partial repair is the smart financial choice over a full rebuild.
MN Climate
Why Minnesota Frost Depth Matters
The Twin Cities frost line reaches 42 inches below the surface during a hard winter. When water saturates the soil above that depth, it freezes and expands — a process called frost heaving. Any footing that doesn't reach below the frost line can be lifted, shifted, or tilted by this force. On a deck, that means unlevel boards, cracking, and potential structural failure.
This isn't a theoretical concern. In older neighborhoods across Eden Prairie, Minnetonka, and Chanhassen, we regularly encounter decks with 18–24 inch footings that have heaved significantly. The fix is to demo the old footings, excavate to proper depth, and pour new ones — at which point the structure stabilizes permanently.
Every footing we pour goes to 42 inches minimum, regardless of what the existing structure shows. This isn't optional and it isn't a line item we negotiate on.
Properly set footing
- 42" below grade minimum
- Stable through every freeze-thaw cycle
- Passes rough framing inspection
- Deck stays level for decades
Shallow footing
- Soil freezes below the footing
- Post heaves, deck tilts
- Fails inspection or fails in the field
- Repair costs more than doing it right initially
Featured Project
Real project.
Real result.
No stock photos. No staging. This is an actual Silverpines build — photos and video straight from the job site.
Full resurfacing of an existing elevated deck — stripped down to the frame, rebuilt with TimberTech composite decking in a warm natural tone. The double stair system was completely rebuilt from the stringers up. Westbury aluminum railing installed throughout, code-compliant post spacing, and a clean transition to the yard.
The homeowner wanted something that looked high-end, needed zero maintenance, and held up through Minnesota winters. That's exactly what TimberTech + aluminum delivers — 25-year fade warranty, no sealing, no staining, no rotting.
- TimberTech composite decking — warm walnut tone
- Westbury aluminum railing system throughout
- Double stair system rebuilt from stringers up
- Hidden fasteners — no exposed screw heads
- Minnesota code compliant post spacing
- Permit pulled and inspection passed
Project Photos — click any to browse
Process
From footings to inspection
Structural Assessment
We inspect the existing structure — footings, posts, beams, joists, ledger — and document what's failing and what can stay. You get a clear picture before anything starts.
Permit & Engineering
Structural permits are pulled with full documentation. Where city requirements demand engineered drawings, we coordinate with a licensed structural engineer.
Excavation & Footings
Footings are dug and poured below frost depth. Helical piers are screwed in place. The structural foundation is set before any framing begins.
Framing & Inspection
Posts, beams, joists, ledger, blocking — all framing is built to spec. Rough framing inspection is passed before decking goes on. Final inspection follows completion.
Client Reviews
Real homeowners.
Real results.
“Silverpines did an awesome job. Great communication, fair pricing, and quality work. The deck turned out way better than I expected. His vision for what can be is impressive.”
“Mitch is the man, he rebuilt both the front and back stairs. Rain or shine, he's working. He is the best contractor to deal with — absolutely zero headaches. Fully transparent and communicative.”
“Mitchell at Silver Pines did a great job constructing a small outdoor patio deck. He was customer focused, cost effective and came in on schedule. Very happy with the overall communications and final outcomes.”
“Absolutely fantastic work from Mitchell! He takes the time to listen to your concerns and needs and fully delivers a more than perfect outcome! Will use again, and highly recommend.”
“Mitch from Silverpines Construction did an excellent job on my deck. His enthusiasm, attention to detail, and work ethic really stood out. He communicated clearly throughout the project.”
“Silverpines Construction took care of our deck remodel last fall. They did excellent, high quality work, transforming our deck into a delightful three-season setting. Mitchell was very knowledgeable and responsive.”
FAQ
Framing & Structural Questions
What's the required footing depth in Minnesota?
Do I need a permit for structural framing work alone?
What's the difference between helical piers and concrete footings?
How do you attach a deck ledger to the house?
Can you repair a rotted deck substructure without replacing the whole deck?
Need structural work done right?
Free site assessment. Written quote. Permit handled. We respond within 24 hours.