Get matched with top deck and porch pros in Brierfield, AL

Building codes vary by location, and you should always consult local codes before planning construction. Generally speaking, however, railing requirements stipulate that decks more than 30 inches off the ground need railings for safety purposes. These railings usually need to be at least 36 inches tall, although California and Washington require rails to be 42 inches or taller.

A screened-in porch requires maintenance to keep the screens clean and in good shape, and you may have to do some screen repair or replacement from time to time. A screen porch isn’t an all-season porch, so the weather can get in, including wind and rain.

Your porch could be crumbling due to poor installation, freeze and thaw cycles, or intense pressure washing or sandblasting. If your concrete was poured and cured improperly, moisture can seep into the concrete. When the water freezes and thaws, it causes stress to the structure, leading to cracks and crumbling. If you pressure wash concrete on too high of a setting or sandblast the surface, the concrete can also crumble. 

There are several methods of supporting a balcony. Very small balconies, such as Juliet balconies that don't include any usable floor space and don't need to support human weight, may simply require supporting bolts drilled into the home's structure. Cantilevering is a method that requires no additional exterior supports, and larger balconies typically need posts and footings to carry the weight from below.