Decks and porches for houses in Litchfield, Bantam, and Northfield, from the historic center to lake houses near Bantam Lake.
Decks in Litchfield
Litchfield has a lot of older and larger homes, and plenty of second homes. The center of town around the green is full of 18th and 19th century houses. Out on the back roads there are farmhouses, colonials on several acres, and newer houses with long views. Bantam and the roads around Bantam Lake add lake cottages and year-round lake houses, and Northfield has its own village of older homes.
Deck work in Litchfield leans toward quality and looks. People want a deck that suits an older house: painted or natural wood railings, simple lines, and trim that matches the house. Screened porches and covered decks are popular for summer evenings.
Deck jobs we see in Litchfield
- Decks on older houses. Old houses often have uneven or rotted sills and rim joists. Before a ledger goes on, the builder needs to check what it’s bolting to. Sometimes a freestanding deck is the better choice.
- Screened porches and covered decks. Shade and bug protection near the woods and the lake.
- Lake decks around Bantam Lake. Decks facing the water, often on slopes, with cable or aluminum railing to keep the view open.
- Composite and PVC on second homes. Owners who aren’t around every weekend don’t want to stain.
- Rebuilding failing decks on 1970s through 1990s houses.
Permits, historic districts, and the lake
Most decks in Litchfield need a building permit from the town’s Building Department, with footing and framing inspections.
Two extra things come up here. Litchfield has a local historic district around the center of town, and work visible from the street there may need approval from the Historic District Commission before a building permit is issued. And properties near Bantam Lake, the Bantam River, or wetlands may need an inland wetlands review. Your builder should check both before giving you a start date.
Building on older houses
A deck on a 150-year-old house is different from one on a 1990s colonial. Old rim joists may be oversized timbers, undersized, or partly rotted, and walls can be out of plumb. Good builders open up the area where the ledger will go and check it, or design the deck to stand on its own next to the house. Flashing matters even more on old houses, because water that gets behind a ledger can rot a sill that’s been sound for two centuries.
Costs in Litchfield
Simple pressure-treated decks run about $35 to $55 per square foot. Cedar, composite, and PVC with upgraded railings run higher, and screened porches are a separate budget. See the deck cost guide and covered decks and porches.
Deck services in Litchfield
- New decks in Litchfield
- Deck replacement in Litchfield
- Deck repair in Litchfield
- Composite and PVC decking in Litchfield
- Railings and stairs in Litchfield
- Covered decks and porches in Litchfield
Nearby towns
We also take calls from Torrington, Goshen, Washington, Harwinton, Thomaston, and the rest of Litchfield County.
Common questions
Do I need historic district approval for a deck in Litchfield?
If your house is in the local historic district and the deck can be seen from a public street, probably yes. Decks hidden behind the house often aren’t an issue, but check with the town first.
Can you build a deck on a house near Bantam Lake?
Yes. Lots near the lake and the river may need a wetlands review, and setbacks from the water can apply. Plan a little extra time.
What railing works best for a lake view?
Cable and aluminum picket railings block the least view. Glass blocks the least of all but costs more and needs cleaning.
Tell us about your deck.
Size, what’s wrong with it now, or what you’d like to build. Photos help.