Rooftop Decks in Washington, DC: A Beginner's Guide

Posted in: Deck Permits, Deck Tips, Deck Design, roof building tips, deck topics, deck boards, decks in Washington, D.C., rooftop decks

James Moylan

Wednesday, March 11, 2026

So, you live in the District and you're thinking about a rooftop deck...

(Please note as of January 2021, Design Builders no longer operates in the District of Columbia. This article is for information purposes only )

If you’re interested in a rooftop deck project within the limits of Washington, DC, there are several things to keep in mind. Some of those considerations relate to rooftop deck projects in general, and some are special rules and regulations due to building in Washington, DC, itself. Regardless, make sure you and your design and build team take the following factors under advisement before launching into a rooftop project.

What's the difference in cost between a screened porch and a Deck?

Posted in: Decks in Maryland, Screen Porch, Screen Porch Questions, Deck Screens, Decks in Virginia, Deck Tips, Screen Porch in Maryland, porch topics, deck boards, decks in Washington, D.C., Screened Porch in Virginia

James Moylan

Tuesday, March 03, 2020

How to budget for a screened porch addition and keep your costs down

Fact: Screened rooms cost roughly twice the amount of money to build than decks. If you're given a $30,000 estimate to construct a backyard deck in Maryland, you can safely double that to $60,000 for a realistic glimpse at what adding a screened-in porch would look like in the same area.

What is the Process for Getting Materials up to a Rooftop Deck ?

Posted in: deck boards, decks in Washington, D.C., rooftop decks, Tile Decks, rooftop decks in Washington, DC, building a rooftop deck, historic deck building

James Moylan

Friday, January 24, 2020

low-maintenance rooftop deck design in Fells Point, Baltimore, Maryland

Why Cranes Are a Necessity for Rooftop Deck Builders and Deck Projects

If you’re considering a rooftop deck addition, you might be wondering about the logistics of how your build firm will get all those materials to the roof itself. If you’re curious about how this process works, you’re not alone. Rooftop decks present some very unique challenges for builders. it’s important to understand the logistical and financial ramifications of hauling all those heavy materials to your roof.

History of Trex Composite Decking

Posted in: Screen Porch in Northern Virginia, Decks in Maryland, Deck Products, Deck Design, Screen Porch in Maryland, Deck Maintenance, deck boards, decking questions, decks in Washington, D.C., Trex Decking, Screened Porch in Virginia, home improvement, building a deck, Screen Room, Georgetown, screened porch in Washington, DC, Screened Porch, Screened-in Porch, Three-season rooms, rooftop deck design, custom deck, screen room addition, screen room ideas, screen room design, screen porch design

James Moylan

Tuesday, January 21, 2020

ElmwoodRdFultonMDHouse_0136-741691-edited

Curious about the History of Trex Decking? Here's What You Need to Know

When you’re looking to create the perfect outdoor space, it’s understandable to want to work with gold-standard products and companies. If Trex composite decking is on your list, here's a brief history of Trex decking to give you insight and context into this decking and outdoor accessories brand.

All About The Archatrak Porcelain Paver Color Selection

Posted in: deck builders, roof building tips, outdoor living, outdoor living spaces, deck add-ons, high-end deck features, low-maintenance decking, deck topics, decking questions, deck contractors, decks in Washington, D.C., Porch and Deck Care, outdoor accessories, home improvement, rooftop decks, Tile Decks, rooftop decks in Washington, DC, building a rooftop deck, Archatrak, porcelain pavers, Deck tiles, custom deck

James Moylan

Tuesday, January 14, 2020

Even though porcelain paver tiles have been in the home construction arena for a while now, they continue to grow in popularity. As more and more people discover the benefits of working with porcelain for exterior living spaces (everything from rooftop decks to patios to walkways), this material becomes more prevalent across residential and commercial jobs with each passing year.

archatrak porelain paver

Among companies that provide this material, Archatrak is one of the leading industry names. They’ve been in the business since 2001 and were instrumental in bringing Italian-made porcelain pavers into the US construction market.