Summer evenings in central Maryland are what we spend the winters dreaming about. And what better way to fully enjoy them than to spend them in the company of friends and family, entertaining outside on a deck?
If this year’s the year you’ve decided to get started on a deck for your home, we’re glad to have you here. As Johnson Lumber, we’ve been supplying materials for decks and home construction projects since 1921, and we’ve picked up a few tips along the way.
What we’ll say first is this: for most homeowners, the hardest part isn’t the build. It’s knowing where to start.
We’ve put together this guide to give you both our favorite fundamentals for building a deck in Maryland, as well as some of the most recent updates, from materials and colors to Maryland’s specific code requirements, so you can walk into the process confident, not overwhelmed.
Before You Do Anything: Define How You’ll Use It
The single biggest mistake first-time deck builders make is jumping straight to materials without thinking through how the space will actually function.
Spend 20 minutes answering a few questions before you price anything:
- Will this mainly be for quiet use or entertaining?
- Do you want dining space, lounge space, or both?
- How much shade does the area get? South- and west-facing decks in Maryland summers get punishing afternoon sun.
- Is there a door you want to connect to? Flow from interior to deck matters more than most people expect.
- Do you want built-in features like seating, lighting, a fire pit, or an outdoor kitchen? These need to be planned from the start, not added later.
Your answers drive every decision that follows: size, layout, materials, and budget.
What’s New in 2026: Design Trends Worth Knowing
Deck design has changed significantly in the past five years. Here’s what’s leading the market right now.
The gray era is over. For years, cool gray composite was the default choice. In 2026, the trend has firmly shifted to warm, earthy tones: honey, walnut, driftwood, warm taupe, and rich mahogany.
Major manufacturers, including Trex, TimberTech, and Deckorators, all launched new warm-toned palettes this year. The practical advice is to choose a tone that complements your home’s brick, siding, and landscaping across all four seasons.
Multi-level and zoned layouts. The most popular configurations in 2026 separate functions into distinct zones rather than one flat platform with furniture scattered around it. Multi-level designs create visual interest and make a modest-sized deck feel far more intentional.
Outdoor rooms, not just platforms. Homeowners want their deck to feel like an extension of the house, with matching flooring tones, covered overhead structure, integrated lighting, and built-in seating.
Planning for electrical outlets and smart lighting during the design phase costs far less than adding them later.
Mixed board patterns. Contrasting picture-frame borders, herringbone accents in seating areas, and multi-tonal boards within a single deck are all gaining traction.
These details add visual richness without adding complexity to the build.
Open railings. Cable railing has become the mainstream choice for decks with views or good sightlines. Glass panel systems are growing in the premium segment.
Both replace the visual heaviness of traditional wood or composite balusters with something lighter and more contemporary.
Choosing Your Decking Material: The 2026 Landscape
Here’s a straightforward breakdown of your main decking material options and who each one is right for.
Pressure-treated lumber remains the most affordable starting point ($2–$5/sq ft materials). It’s structurally sound and widely available, but it requires annual maintenance. In Maryland’s humidity, untreated wood deteriorates faster than in drier climates. Good for DIY builders on a budget who are committed to upkeep.
Cedar offers natural rot and insect resistance with a warm, classic look ($3–$7/sq ft materials). It’s more forgiving than pressure-treated in Maryland’s climate, but still needs regular finishing to maintain its color and protect against moisture.
Capped composite (Trex, TimberTech, Fiberon) is the default choice for most new decks in 2026. A polymer cap encases the board on all four sides, making it highly resistant to staining, fading, moisture, and mold. No sanding, no staining, no annual sealing. Warranties typically run 25 to 50 years. Installed costs run $32–$60/sq ft for mid-range products.
PVC decking (TimberTech AZEK being the leading example) contains no wood fiber at all, making it genuinely impervious to moisture. In Maryland, where humidity regularly approaches 85% in summer, this matters. PVC is the strongest performer in waterfront or high-moisture applications. Installed costs typically run $40–$65+/sq ft.
Ipe (Brazilian Walnut) is the premium natural hardwood option. Extraordinarily dense, naturally rot-resistant, and capable of lasting 50+ years. The right choice for high-end builds and waterfront properties near the Chesapeake Bay. Installed costs typically run $50–$80/sq ft.
What You Need to Know About Permits in Maryland
Skipping this section is the most expensive mistake you can make. In Anne Arundel County, which covers both Edgewater and Millersville, a building permit is required for virtually all deck construction attached to your home.
The only exemption is a freestanding deck under 200 square feet, under 30 inches above grade, and not attached to the house. That exemption disappears entirely if your property falls within the Chesapeake Bay Critical Area, meaning any land within 1,000 feet of tidal waters or wetlands.
Here’s what the permit process looks like in practice:
- Call Miss Utility (1-800-257-7777) at least two business days before digging. Required by Maryland law.
- Prepare your plans: a scaled construction plan and a site plan showing property lines, setbacks, and deck location.
- Submit to the Anne Arundel County Permit Center at 2664 Riva Road, Annapolis (410-222-7730). Outside the Critical Area with public water/sewer, same-day review is often possible. Within the Critical Area or on a well/septic, expect 10 working days.
- Plan for three inspections: footings, framing, and final. Don’t frame over your footings until the footing inspection passes.
Also, check with your HOA before finalizing your design. Many Anne Arundel County subdivisions have deed restrictions on materials, colors, or height that go beyond county code.
The Build Process: 7 Steps From Ground to Finished Deck
Whether you’re doing this yourself or hiring a contractor, here’s the sequence every deck follows:
- Plan the layout. Mark the footprint on your yard. Think about traffic flow from the door, furniture placement, and how the sun hits the space at different times of day.
- Pull your permit. Start here before ordering materials. The permit process shapes your timeline.
- Dig and pour footings. In Maryland, footings must extend at least 30 inches below grade to get below the frost line. Helical screw piles are an increasingly popular alternative with no curing time, and they work well in the high water tables common near the Chesapeake Bay.
- Attach the ledger board. This is the most safety-critical connection on the whole deck. It must be through-bolted directly to your home’s structural framing with proper metal flashing to prevent water intrusion. This is not the place to cut corners.
- Frame the substructure. Install beams, posts, and joists. Apply self-adhesive joist tape across the tops of joists. It’s inexpensive insurance against moisture damage in Maryland’s humidity.
- Install decking boards. Hidden clip fasteners are now the standard for composite and PVC: no visible screw holes, consistent spacing, cleaner look. Always use corrosion-resistant hardware with pressure-treated lumber.
- Install railings, stairs, and lighting. Guardrails are required when your deck surface is more than 30 inches above grade. Maximum baluster spacing is 4 inches. Railing posts must be through-bolted to framing, never lag-bolted.
DIY or Hire a Contractor?
The honest answer depends on the scope of your project.
A straightforward, single-level, ground-level deck in pressure-treated lumber is within reach for a skilled DIYer with the right tools and patience. Multi-level decks, elevated structures, ledger board attachment, and any electrical work should involve a licensed professional.
In Maryland, any contractor performing deck work must hold an MHIC (Maryland Home Improvement Commission) license. Verify any contractor at labor.maryland.gov before signing anything. Maryland law limits the deposit at contract signing to one-third of the total project cost. Get at least three written, itemized quotes.
A professional crew typically completes a single-level deck in 2 to 5 days of construction. Factor in 4 to 8 weeks total from permit submission to final inspection.
What Does It Cost?
For a complete installed deck in the Maryland market, here are realistic 2026 ranges per square foot:
- Pressure-treated wood: $16–$30/sq ft installed
- Cedar: $22–$47/sq ft installed
- Mid-range composite: $32–$60/sq ft installed
- Premium composite or PVC: $45–$70+/sq ft installed
- Ipe hardwood: $50–$80/sq ft installed
For a typical 16×20 foot deck (320 sq ft), that translates to roughly $5,100–$9,600 for a pressure-treated build, or $10,000–$19,000 for mid-range composite. Premium railings, multi-level layouts, and built-in features all add to those numbers. Building in the off-season, from fall through early spring, can save up to 20% on labor.
On the value side, a new wood deck recoups approximately 83% of its cost at resale nationally. More importantly, 74% of homeowners report spending more time at home after completing a deck project.
Ready to Get Started?
At Johnson Lumber, we’ve been supplying decks across central Maryland since 1921, from simple weekend builds to complex waterfront projects. Whether you’re figuring out which composite board is right for your yard or loading up a full material list for your contractor, our yards in Edgewater and Millersville are stocked and ready.
Stop in, give us a call, send us a message, or bring your plans. We’re happy to walk through your options and help you build something that lasts.
