When a wood deck starts to rot and the stain flakes off in sheets, patching it is throwing good money after bad. Joanne reached out to us for exactly that reason, and as her cedar deck builder in Georgetown, we tore out the old deck and built her a brand new one from the frame up. The new deck is real cedar, wrapped in a custom metal railing, with two staircases down to the yard and two full coats of stain to seal it all in. This is the story of that rebuild at her home in Georgetown, TX 78628.
Cedar Deck Builder in Georgetown: Project Overview
Joanne’s old deck had served its years and then some. The boards were soft in spots, the finish had peeled down to bare gray wood, and the railing was no longer something you wanted to lean on. Rather than patch a deck that was already failing, we planned a full replacement in cedar, a wood that holds up beautifully in the Texas Hill Country. Here is the project at a glance.
| Project Detail | Specification |
| Location | Georgetown, TX 78628 |
| Scope | Full tear out of the old wood deck and a new cedar deck build |
| Railing | Custom black metal railing with stainless cable infill |
| Access | Two cedar staircases down to the yard |
| Finish | Two coats of stain |
| Client | Joanne |
Before: A Rotten Wood Deck That Had to Go
There was no saving the old deck. Years of Texas sun and rain had left the boards splintered and soft, and the finish was flaking off in patches across the whole surface. As a cedar deck builder in Georgetown, we started by demolishing and hauling away the entire structure, right down to the posts. If your deck is in the same shape, our deck demolition crew handles the tear out and cleanup so you begin with a clean, safe base for the new build.
Before: the original wood deck was rotten and peeling, well past repair.A New Cedar Deck, Built From the Frame Up
With the old deck gone, we framed and built a new one in cedar. Cedar is a favorite of ours for Hill Country decks because it naturally resists rot and insects, it stays cooler underfoot than many materials, and the grain looks warm and rich once it is stained. We ran long cedar boards the full length of Joanne’s home so the new deck reads as one clean, continuous surface, the kind of result a seasoned cedar deck builder in Georgetown is after. You can learn more about the wood itself from the Western Red Cedar association, and if you are weighing your options, our guide to composite decking in Austin lays out cedar against composite. You can also see more of our deck building work and the best deck materials for Texas weather.
The new cedar deck runs the full length of the home.Custom Metal Railing and Two Staircases
The railing is where this deck really comes together. We installed a custom metal railing with black powder coated posts and horizontal stainless cable infill, so the view of the yard stays wide open instead of being chopped up by bulky wood balusters. A metal deck railing like this is low maintenance and holds its finish for years, even in full Texas sun. We also built two cedar staircases, one at each end of the deck, so getting down to the yard is easy from either side.
Black metal posts and cable infill frame the new staircase.Finished With Two Coats of Stain
To protect all that new cedar, we sealed the deck with two full coats of stain. The first coat soaks in and feeds the wood, and the second builds the rich honey tone and the weather barrier that keeps Texas sun and rain from drying the boards out. Two coats also means the finish lasts longer before it needs a refresh, which is exactly what you want on a deck this size. Two coats is standard on every project we take on as a cedar deck builder in Georgetown.
Two coats of stain give the cedar a warm, protected finish.Why Georgetown Homeowners Choose Brentwood Homecraft
With more than 4,000 completed projects and over twelve years serving Georgetown, Austin, Round Rock, Cedar Park, Pflugerville, and the surrounding Hill Country, we build outdoor spaces that fit your home and stand up to the Texas climate. As a cedar deck builder in Georgetown, we handle everything from tear out to the final coat of stain in house. From cedar decks and custom railings to our recent Trex deck installation in Austin and full exterior remodeling, every project gets the same hands on attention you see here. You can read what neighbors are saying in our client reviews.
Ready to replace your old deck?
Tell us about your deck and your yard, and we will put a cedar deck builder in Georgetown to work on a new deck that lasts for years.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is cedar a good choice for a deck in the Texas Hill Country?
Yes. Cedar naturally resists rot and insects, it stays cooler on bare feet than many materials, and it takes stain beautifully. With two coats of stain up front and a refresh every few years, a cedar deck holds up very well in the Georgetown and Austin climate. It is the kind of build a local cedar deck builder in Georgetown handles best.
How long does a custom metal railing last?
A custom metal railing with powder coated posts and stainless cable infill resists rust and fading, so it stays looking sharp for decades with almost no upkeep. It also keeps sightlines open, which is why so many of our deck clients choose it over wood balusters.
Should a new cedar deck get one coat of stain or two?
We recommend two. The first coat feeds the fresh wood and the second seals it, builds the color, and adds UV protection. Two coats simply last longer before the deck needs to be refreshed, which saves you time and money down the road.
