Custom Deck Construction

Composite or Wood. Permitted. View-Ready.

A properly designed and permitted deck extends your livable square footage into South Bay's year-round outdoor climate — and in hillside Palos Verdes and coastal Redondo Beach, a well-executed deck with ocean or city views is a genuine luxury asset. Paragon constructs custom decks in composite (Trex, TimberTech) and pressure-treated wood framing, from permit pull through final inspection. All elevated decks above 30 inches are engineered to LA County structural standards.

Deck Materials in the Coastal Environment

Deck Construction Process

1. 01Site assessment — we evaluate the existing structure attachment point, foundation conditions, grade below the deck, and view angles before design begins.
2. 02Structural engineering — elevated decks require engineer-stamped drawings specifying beam sizing, post sizing and footing depth, ledger connection to the home, and railing post attachment.
3. 03City permit pull and plan check — we manage the permit application, respond to plan check corrections, and schedule inspections at each required milestone (footing, framing, final).
4. 04Footing excavation and concrete pour — pier footings are drilled and poured to the depth specified by the engineer, based on local soil bearing capacity.
5. 05Framing installation — pressure-treated lumber framing is installed to the engineer's plan, with all hardware (joist hangers, post caps, ledger bolts) per specification.
6. 06Decking surface installation — composite boards are installed with hidden fasteners for a clean surface (no visible screws), or with color-matched screws for a traditional aesthetic.
7. 07Railing installation — glass, cable, or composite railing systems are installed and tested to the code-required 200-pound top-rail load rating.
8. 08City final inspection and sign-off — the building inspector confirms code compliance before the permit is closed.

Deck Construction Capabilities

• Composite decking (Trex Transcend, TimberTech Azek)
• Pressure-treated wood framing and decking
• Glass panel railings (ocean view preservation)
• Cable railing systems
• Aluminum and composite railing
• Structural engineering coordination
• City permit management
• Hillside and elevated deck construction
• Deck lighting integration (recessed and step lighting)
• Hot tub structural pad engineering
• ADA ramp construction
• Pergola post footing and beam installation
• Existing deck replacement and structural repair

Custom Decks — Frequently Asked Questions

Does a deck require a permit?

Any deck with a walking surface over 30 inches above grade requires a building permit in all South Bay jurisdictions. Ground-level decks (under 30 inches) may not require a permit depending on city, but HOA approval may be required. All elevated decks require engineer-stamped drawings as part of the permit submittal. We manage this entire process.

Composite or wood — which lasts longer?

Composite (Trex Transcend, TimberTech Azek) lasts significantly longer in the South Bay coastal environment. Premium composite carries a 25-year manufacturer warranty against fading, staining, and structural failure, and requires no sanding, sealing, or staining. Pressure-treated wood requires annual maintenance and typical deck boards need replacement within 15–20 years in coastal conditions. The framing structure (always pressure-treated or composite) outlasts the surface material in both cases.

Can you build over a slope?

Yes — this is one of the most common deck scenarios in hillside Palos Verdes and Redondo Beach's Hollywood Riviera. Sloped sites require post heights that vary across the structure, often requiring engineering for posts over 8 feet tall. We've built extensively on South Bay hillside properties and understand the footing, drainage, and access challenges involved.

What is the structural weight capacity of a deck?

LA County building code requires residential decks to support 40 pounds per square foot (psf) live load — adequate for furniture, gatherings, and hot tubs up to about 200 gallons. Larger hot tubs (400+ gallons, weighing 4,000+ pounds when full) require additional structural engineering to distribute point loads. We evaluate hot tub pad requirements as part of the design process.