When you run a business, free time is precious, and home projects need to be done right, on schedule, and without endless back-and-forth. For Caleb, a busy commercial business owner in Ramsey, Minnesota, his vision for his backyard was ambitious: a sleek, low-maintenance custom deck integrated with a paver walkway extension and a driveway addition.
However, turning that vision into reality meant tackling two major engineering puzzles—spanning a 22-foot deck length without unsightly board seams, and working around tight utility lines and HVAC exhaust vents right along the house foundation. He turned to Rock Solid Services to execute a seamless, multi-service transformation overflowing with quality craftsmanship.
Key Takeaways
- THE CHALLENGESpanning 22 feet without board seams while navigating tight utility lines and house vents.
- THE INSTALLA triple picture frame Trex deck with two-tone colors, helical pile footings, and matching paver pathways.
- THE RESULTCompleted deck build in two days with full structural and workmanship warranty coverage.
After we assessed the project needs, we established a design that combined a two-tone composite deck with hardscape elements, accompanied by a triple picture frame pattern, which solved the board length limitation across the 22-foot span.
Project Summary
| Client Profile: | Caleb / Commercial Business Owner |
| Project Location: | Ramsey, MN |
| Primary Objective: | Build a low-maintenance deck and hardscaping with a paver walkway installation. |
| System Installed: | Trex coconut husk and dark cocoa decking with Westberry black railings and helical piles. |
| Key Outcome: | Completed deck in two days and full site work in 1.5 weeks. |
Overcoming Engineering Challenges & Utility Obstacles
Designing a wide, high-end composite deck comes with unique material challenges. Standard composite deck boards max out at 20 feet long. Across a 22-foot span, many builders simply butt boards together or put an awkward seam down the middle. But at Rock Solid Services, we believe every detail should be executed with precision.
The site layout also contained tight clearances near air conditioning units and furnace exhaust vents, requiring us to install a precise footing placement close to the foundation. Near that foundation, the site presented tight clearances around AC units, furnace exhaust vents, and buried utilities, including:
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Helical Pile Footings: We installed heavy-duty helical piles for rock-solid foundation support, carefully notched framing around vents and HVAC equipment, and maintained proper airflow.
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Swift Problem-Solving: During excavation, an incorrectly marked underground power line was struck. True to our commitment to clear communication and fast action, our crew contacted the utility company immediately, and power was safely restored within two hours without delaying the project schedule.
Full-Service Craftsmanship: Connecting Deck to Driveway
By designing a triple picture frame pattern, we used contrasting accent boards to run perpendicular to the main decking. This eliminated mid-deck seams entirely, creating a continuous, high-end look using Trex Coconut Husk boards framed in rich Dark Cocoa.
"We ended up doing a triple picture frame because it was 22 feet long, (because) either we would have to split it down the middle or we keep everything continuous like we wound up doing." - (Avery Metzger, Rock Solid Services)
Because Rock Solid Services is a full-service licensed general contractor specializing in both construction and landscaping, Caleb didn't have to hire multiple companies to complete his yard. Our crews completed the deck structure in just two days. Then, our hardscaping team stepped in to install matching paver pathways that smoothly connected the new deck to a driveway extension.
The warm, two-tone decking paired effortlessly with the stone pavers and natural surroundings, transforming the property into a unified outdoor living retreat. The final permit inspection confirmed full code compliance, and the entire project was backed by our 5-year workmanship warranty alongside standard Minnesota structural coverage.
Custom two-tone composite deck with a triple picture frame layout and Westberry black railings in Ramsey. The Result: A High-End Transformation in Under Two Weeks
In just a week and a half, Caleb went from a constrained backyard to a fully integrated, low-maintenance outdoor space. The custom triple picture frame deck, black aluminum railings, and paver walkways gave his Ramsey home a modern, sophisticated look that requires zero seasonal staining, giving him his weekends back!
Upgrade Your Ramsey Deck Today With Rock Solid Services!
Rock Solid Services provides full-service exterior construction, deck building, and hardscaping throughout Ramsey and surrounding Twin Cities areas.
Do you need help with a similar deck and hardscaping project in Ramsey? Reach out to our team to start planning your dream outdoor living space!
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you cover a 22-foot deck span without board seams?
A triple picture frame pattern uses perpendicular accent boards to frame the main deck surface, allowing standard 20-foot composite boards to span longer dimensions without awkward middle seams.
What footings are used when building decks near house vents and utilities?
Helical piles are installed using specialized equipment to achieve deep soil support in tight spaces, allowing precise placement near foundation walls, HVAC units, and utility corridors.
What warranties cover composite deck builds in Minnesota?
Projects include a five-year workmanship warranty from the contractor, long-term manufacturer material warranties, and coverage for major structural defects under Minnesota state guidelines.