Minnetonka Cedar Deck Gets Its Finishing Touches

We built this cedar deck last fall - and it was solid from day one. Good bones, clean framing, a wide elevated platform with a proper staircase down to grade. But there's a difference between a deck that's done and a backyard that's actually finished. This one needed that final chapter.

Fresh stain on the cedar, new sod laid out around the base, completed landscaping with rock border edging, and the stamped concrete patio underneath the deck all wrapped up. That combination is what takes a great structure and makes the whole backyard feel intentional. Everything working together instead of a deck just sitting in the middle of an unfinished yard.

The upper deck itself has a lot going for it - wide open surface area, a built-in gate at the stair landing, and string lights already running across the space. The covered area underneath the deck adds a second usable zone that stays shaded no matter what the weather is doing. Two distinct outdoor spaces coming off one well-built structure.

Cedar is a great choice for Minnesota. It handles the freeze-thaw cycle better than a lot of wood options, and when you stain it properly, it holds up and keeps that warm, natural color for years. The key is timing the stain right and making sure the wood is ready to accept it - something we pay close attention to on every job we do.

Projects like this one are a good reminder that the build is only part of the equation. The landscaping, the concrete work, the finishing details - those are what make a backyard actually usable. If your yard is sitting somewhere in that in-between stage, we know exactly how to get it across the finish line.