Multi-Level Deck Builders in Austin, TX
Austin Deck Builders – Design & Installation builds multi-level and second-story decks for Austin homes on sloped lots and homes with more than one floor. A single flat deck doesn’t always fit a yard that drops away from the house, so we build levels that follow the ground and connect with stairs and landings.
Call (512) 354-7633 or ask for a free multi-level deck estimate. We’ll walk the yard with you, check the slope and the soil, and talk through where each level should sit.
Request For Free Quote
A multi-level deck is the right call when one flat platform would leave you with a tall, wasted drop or a deck that’s too high off the yard. It’s worth a look if:
- Your yard slopes down from the back door, so a single deck would sit high above the far end
- You have a second-floor door or living area and want an upper deck with stairs down to the yard
- You want separate spaces, like a cooking level near the kitchen and a sitting level closer to the grass
- You have a pool, patio or hot tub below and want a deck that steps down to it
If your lot’s level, a single deck is usually simpler, and our single-level deck installation page covers those builds. For a deck that steps down to a pool, see our pool deck builds.
Two-Story and Second-Story Decks
We build second-story decks off upstairs doors and two-story decks that connect an upper level to a lower one. An upper deck needs a strong connection to the house, posts and footings sized for the height, and a stair that’s comfortable to use every day. We’ll check how the house is built where the deck attaches, since a brick veneer wall or an older rim board changes how the deck is fastened.
How We Plan the Levels on Site
We see the yard before we quote the deck. On a multi-level job, that visit matters even more. We measure the drop across the yard, note where the doors and windows sit, and look at the trees, drainage and the views you want to keep.
From there, we work out how many levels the yard needs, how big each one should be and where the stairs land. Our deck design service covers the planning side, and we’ll walk you through the plan before any posts go in.
Footings and Framing on Uneven Ground
On a slope, the posts on the low side are taller than the ones near the house, and each footing has to reach solid ground. Many west Austin yards, including sloped lots in Maple Run, have limestone a few inches down, so pier holes need the right equipment. Clay soil in other parts of town swells when it’s wet and shrinks when it’s dry, so footings need to sit below that movement.
Taller posts also need bracing so the deck doesn’t sway. We size the posts, beams and footings for each level’s height, so the whole deck feels solid underfoot.
Stairs, Landings and Railings
Stairs, landings and railings are part of every multi-level build. We size the stairs so they’re easy to climb, add landings where a long run needs a break, and put railings where people need them.
- The residential code calls for a guardrail on any deck surface more than 30 inches above the ground below it
- Stairs with four or more risers need a handrail
- Long stair runs between levels can use a landing so they don’t feel steep
Our deck stair building codes guide covers the rules in more detail. We’ll build the railings to match the deck.
Materials for Each Level
Every level can use the same decking, or you can mix materials where it makes sense. There’s no rule that says they have to match. We install:
- Composite: Trex, TimberTech and Fiberon
- PVC and vinyl decking
- Wood: cedar, redwood, pressure-treated pine, ipe and other hardwoods, and modified wood
- Aluminum railings and decking
Composite and PVC hold up well on upper levels where boards get full sun. If you’d rather have wood underfoot, our real wood decking page covers the woods we build with. We’ll pick the decking with you at the estimate.
Permits for Multi-Level Decks
Second-story decks and most multi-level decks sit more than 30 inches above the ground or attach to the house, so they usually need a City of Austin building permit. We coordinate permits through third-party permit partners, and our multi-level deck permits guide explains when a permit applies.
Already Have a Multi-Level Deck?
Older multi-level decks take more strain than flat ones: tall posts, long stairs and railings that people lean on. If yours wobbles, has soft stair treads or loose railings, an raised deck inspection is free. When the framing is past saving, we also handle multi-level deck replacement.
Built for Austin Yards
Our own crew has built decks in Austin since 2011, with more than a thousand residential and commercial projects. We don’t subcontract the work. We’re fully insured, and every deck carries a 1-year craftsmanship warranty. It’s a deck built for every Austin season, on whatever slope your yard has.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do multi-level decks handle a sloped yard?
The levels step down with the ground, with taller posts and footings on the low side of the yard. That way, no part of the deck sits higher than it needs to.
Do you build second-story decks?
Yes. We build second-story decks off upstairs doors, with stairs down to the yard or to a lower deck.
Do multi-level decks need railings?
Any deck surface more than 30 inches above the ground needs a guardrail, and stairs with four or more risers need a handrail. We build both as part of the deck.
Can each level use a different material?
Yes. You can use one decking material throughout or mix them, such as composite on the upper level and wood on a lower one.
Does a multi-level deck need a permit in Austin?
Usually, yes. Most multi-level and second-story decks are more than 30 inches above the ground or attached to the house. We coordinate permits through third-party permit partners.
Book a Site Visit
Tell us about your yard and how you’d like to use it, and we’ll set a time to come out. Call (512) 354-7633, Monday to Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM, see our multi-level deck photos, or send our site visit request form. Every estimate is free.