Homeowners in Madison and across Dane County are being urged to inspect the hidden structural connections of their decks this fall, after local research revealed those joints may be more vulnerable to moisture and decay than previously understood. The finding comes from a federal laboratory in the same city where the problem is likely occurring.
A 2018 study published by the U.S. Forest Service's Forest Products Laboratory in Madison compared standard wood durability test specimens with a simulated post-and-beam connection recommended for residential deck construction. The specimens were cut from Southern Pine timbers and exposed above ground at a test site near Madison. Researchers found that the post-and-beam connection specimens held higher moisture levels and dried out less between wet periods than any of the standardized test specimens. The authors concluded that frequent drying can inhibit decay, and that small test pieces may underestimate the decay hazard present in larger members of aboveground structures.
The implication for homeowners is direct: the parts of a deck that stay wet longest are often the joints and connections that are hardest to see from the deck surface. As snow and freeze-thaw cycles approach, those concealed areas can deteriorate without obvious signs from above. Local builder Quigley Decks is encouraging residents to inspect posts, beams, and framing before winter arrives, pointing to the study as evidence that the risk is concentrated in the connections rather than the visible boards.
Tim Quigley owns Quigley Decks, a family-owned company that has worked among deck contractors madison wi for more than 25 years. He said the findings match what he sees on older decks around Dane County. "The boards are what people look at, but the trouble usually starts underneath, where the post meets the beam and water sits," Quigley said. "By the time a homeowner notices it from the top, it's often been going on for a few seasons."
Much of the company's deck repair madison wi work involves replacing framing and boards where moisture has caused damage, according to Quigley. Railings belong in the same inspection. The company's Railing Installation in Madison, WI service covers aluminum and stainless steel cable systems for new and existing decks.
"Fall is a good time to get under the deck with a flashlight," Quigley said. "Look at the posts, the beams and where the deck meets the house, and press on anything that looks dark or soft. If something gives, have it looked at before snow sits on it all winter."
For new construction, the company's deck installation madison wi service builds every deck on a steel frame topped with composite decking. Homeowners planning a larger outdoor space can work with the company's deck builders madison wi team on custom layouts and materials.
The Forest Products Laboratory also publishes homeowner guidance that explains why wood decays, identifies conditions that can lead to decay in buildings, and describes measures to prevent moisture-related damage. That guidance, combined with the 2018 connection study, suggests that routine inspections focused on post-and-beam joints could help homeowners avoid costly structural repairs.
Quigley Decks is a family-owned deck builder based in Madison, Wisconsin, serving homeowners since 1999. The company designs and builds steel-framed decks with composite decking, and installs aluminum and stainless steel cable railing systems. Quigley Decks serves Madison and surrounding Dane County communities, including Cottage Grove, Fitchburg, Middleton, Sun Prairie, and Verona.
