Complete Alvarado, TX

Keith's Covered Deck in Alvarado, TX

Keith reached out about turning an empty stretch of backyard into a shaded outdoor living space his family could actually use through a Texas summer. The plan: a solid pressure-treated frame, composite decking, and a full timber-framed pavilion overhead tied cleanly into the back of the house.

Keith's backyard in Alvarado before deck construction began, built by BenchMark Decks in Alvarado, Texas — Day one — bare yard along the back of the house.

Materials staged in the backyard before framing, built by BenchMark Decks in Alvarado, Texas — Materials staged and the layout squared off.

Step 1 — Framing it right

Everything starts underneath. We set the posts in concrete, ran prime pressure-treated beams, and kept joists tight on center so the deck feels solid underfoot — no bounce, no squeaks. Keith's deck also got the optional joist butyl tape to keep water off the framing at every fastener.

Pressure treated deck framing laid out in Keith's backyard, built by BenchMark Decks in Alvarado, Texas — Beams and joists going down over set posts.

Completed deck substructure framing before decking is installed, built by BenchMark Decks in Alvarado, Texas — Substructure squared, leveled, and ready for decking.

Step 2 — Decking and the pavilion

Composite decking went down next, followed by the timber posts, beams, and bracing for the covered pavilion. The gable end and metal roof were framed to match the pitch of the home's roofline so the whole thing reads like it was always part of the house.

Crew installing composite decking under the new timber pavilion, built by BenchMark Decks in Alvarado, Texas — Decking in, pavilion framed and roofed.

Finished covered composite deck with timber gable pavilion, built by BenchMark Decks in Alvarado, Texas — Pavilion complete and decking finished.

Step 3 — Railings in and finished

With the black aluminum railings and cocktail rail caps installed, Keith's covered deck is officially complete — a shaded outdoor living space that looks like it was part of the house from day one.

Completed covered composite deck with timber pavilion, built by BenchMark Decks in Alvarado, Texas — Finished deck and timber pavilion from the yard.

Finished timber pavilion with metal roof over composite deck, built by BenchMark Decks in Alvarado, Texas — Metal roof and stained timber posts wrapped up.

View from the finished deck stairs out to the backyard, built by BenchMark Decks in Alvarado, Texas — Stairs and railing looking out over the yard.

Composite deck boards with black aluminum railing and post caps, built by BenchMark Decks in Alvarado, Texas — Composite boards, black railing, and post caps.

Grilling area on the finished covered composite deck, built by BenchMark Decks in Alvarado, Texas — Ready to use — grill area under the cover.

How it was built

Joist spacing:

16 inches on center

Post construction:

Ground-contact rated pressure treated 4x4 posts, made for direct soil and concrete contact

Fasteners:

3-inch exterior-coated decking screws, no nails or staples

Deck board material:

Composite

Railing:

Black aluminum with cocktail rail caps

Composite installation:

Face-screwed with color-matched screws, no hidden clips

Warranty:

2-year BenchMark Decks workmanship warranty