What Every Homeowner Should Know Before Building a Luxury Deck

Choosing the right material for your deck is more than just a style decision—it affects the lifespan, maintenance, aesthetics, and even how you experience your outdoor space. At Design Builders, we help homeowners across Northern Virginia and Maryland make confident, informed choices based on lifestyle, climate, and long-term value.

When you hear “screened porch,” what comes to mind? For some, it’s a humble add-on—just mesh and framing. But for our clients in Northern Virginia and Maryland, a screened porch is so much more. It’s a place to relax, entertain, and connect with nature—without sacrificing comfort or style.

Why Design Builders Trusts This Modern Foundation Solution

When most homeowners think about building a deck or screened porch, they picture the finish—the composite decking, the stylish railings, the inviting furniture. But what lies beneath the surface matters just as much—if not more. That’s where helical piers come in.

At Design Builders, we pride ourselves on delivering not just beautiful outdoor spaces, but structures that are built to last. That’s why we rely on helical pier foundations for many of our elevated decks and porches. Let’s break down what they are, how they work, and why they’ve become one of the unsung heroes of high-end outdoor construction.

Helical piers, also known as screw piles, have an intriguing history that dates back to the early 1800s. The concept was pioneered by Alexander Mitchell, an Irish engineer who, despite being blind, revolutionized construction techniques. Mitchell initially used helical piers to stabilize lighthouses and docks in weak, marshy soils where traditional digging was impractical. Over the years, the use of helical piers waned but experienced a resurgence in the last two decades, driven by advancements in technology and machinery.