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Serving Faribault, MN and surrounding areas. (507) 497-9188
Faribault Deck & Fence builds custom decks, fences, screened porches, and pergolas for Northfield homeowners - from the older streets near Carleton College to the newer subdivisions on the north side of town. Permits handled, footings set to Minnesota frost depth, and a written estimate before work begins.
Northfield has two distinct types of residential properties - older wood-frame homes near the college campuses and downtown, and newer construction on the growing north and west sides of the city. Each type calls for a different approach. Our custom deck design and build process starts with a site visit where we assess your specific yard, note any drainage or attachment concerns particular to your home's age and construction, and design footings to meet Northfield's frost depth requirements.
Northfield winters bring repeated freeze-thaw cycles that are especially punishing on natural wood surfaces. Composite and Trex boards resist that cycle - they do not absorb water, do not rot, and do not need sealing every two to three years. For Northfield homeowners who want an outdoor surface that looks good without annual maintenance, composite is the practical choice for this climate.
Pressure-treated wood remains the most affordable decking option in Northfield and works well when built with proper drainage and flashing. Cedar is a natural fit for the older, character-rich neighborhoods near the historic downtown - it looks at home alongside original wood siding and traditional architecture, and its natural oils provide better moisture resistance than standard pine.
Older Northfield decks often show the effects of clay-heavy soil shifting under footings, freeze-thaw damage to boards, or railings that have loosened over the years. We repair structural issues - joists, ledger connections, posts, and footings - and refinish surfaces so the deck is safe and weather-resistant heading into another Minnesota winter.
Northfield lots vary widely - tight in-town lots near the college campuses where privacy fencing matters, and larger lots in the newer outer subdivisions where a fence defines the yard without feeling cramped. Vinyl fencing is durable and nearly maintenance-free in Minnesota's climate; wood and cedar fencing suits homeowners who want a warmer, more traditional look that complements older home styles.
Northfield summers are warm and humid - ideal for being outside if you can keep the mosquitoes at bay. A screened-in porch or covered deck turns a pleasant evening into one you can actually enjoy without retreating inside. We build pergolas and patio covers that work with Northfield's range of architectural styles, from the historic streetscapes near the Cannon River to the newer homes on the city's edges.
Northfield's soil is largely clay-heavy glacial till - the same deposit that blankets much of southern Minnesota. Clay absorbs water, expands when it freezes, and contracts when it dries. That cycle creates frost heave on driveways, patios, and deck footings every single year. It also means drainage patterns around a house can work against a deck if the site is not properly assessed before construction begins. A contractor who has not worked in this soil type will often underestimate how much footings need to account for movement.
The Northfield housing stock is also unusually varied for a city its size. The older neighborhoods near Carleton College and the downtown area along the Cannon River include homes from the early 1900s with original wood framing, layered exterior materials, and older foundations. The newer subdivisions on the north and west sides of the city have standard modern construction with vinyl siding and attached garages. Each type calls for a different site assessment and a different approach to how the deck ties into the home's structure. Knowing the difference before the first board goes down is what keeps a deck solid for twenty years.
Our crew works throughout Northfield regularly, and we understand the local conditions that affect deck building here. Northfield is about 35 miles south of Minneapolis along Minnesota Highway 3 and sits in Rice County along the Cannon River. The older parts of town are directly along the river corridor, where soil moisture is higher and properties sometimes have drainage patterns that need to be accounted for when placing footings or planning deck run-off.
Northfield is a college town - home to both Carleton College and St. Olaf College - and the neighborhoods around both campuses carry a distinct character. The streets near the historic downtown have older homes with real architectural detail, while the areas away from campus are more typical Midwestern residential. We have worked in both parts of Northfield and know what each type of property tends to need.
Northfield is one of our core service areas, and we also cover the nearby communities around it. If you are in Farmington or the broader southern metro region, we serve those areas too - the full list is in the service area grid below.
Call or use our contact form and we will reply within one business day. We ask a few questions about what you have in mind - size, materials, how you plan to use the space - so we can arrive at the site visit with the right information rather than a blank notepad.
We come to your Northfield property, walk the yard, assess the soil and drainage, and look at how the deck will attach to your home. You receive a written, itemized estimate afterward - cost is addressed here, so there are no surprises at the end of the project.
After you approve the estimate and pay a deposit, we submit the building permit to the City of Northfield. Permit approval takes one to two weeks. Construction begins once the permit is issued - we dig and pour footings first, then frame, then finish with decking, stairs, and railing.
We schedule and attend the city inspection after construction is complete. Once it passes, we walk you through the finished deck, answer questions about maintenance, and hand you copies of the permit and sign-off documents - records you will want when you eventually sell your home.
We serve Northfield and the surrounding Rice County area. Free estimates, permits handled, written price before work begins.
(507) 497-9188Northfield is a city of about 20,000 people in Rice County, 35 miles south of Minneapolis along the Cannon River. It is best known as a college town - home to Carleton College and St. Olaf College - and its identity is shaped by both the academic institutions and a historic downtown that dates to the 1870s. The well-preserved brick storefronts and older buildings along the river reflect the age of much of the surrounding residential stock: a significant share of Northfield homes were built before 1960, with many of the oldest concentrated near the historic core.
The city is also widely recognized for the Defeat of Jesse James Days, an annual September festival that reenacts the famous 1876 bank raid and draws visitors from across the region. Northfield has grown outward in recent decades, with newer subdivisions on the north and west sides of the city joining the older in-town neighborhoods. That mix of housing eras - pre-war, postwar, and recent construction - means deck builders need to be comfortable working on properties with very different structural and material characteristics. We also serve nearby Faribault to the south and other communities throughout the region.
Durable pressure-treated wood decks at an affordable price.
Learn MoreProtect your deck from weather and wear with professional staining.
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Learn MoreStay shaded and dry with a professionally built covered deck.
Learn MoreWe build decks, fences, and outdoor structures for Northfield homeowners. Call or submit a request and we will respond within one business day.