Backyard deck with railing and outdoor seating
Backyard Refresh

Deck Resurfacing & Railing Replacement in the Twin Cities

New boards, new railing, and a deck that's done asking for your weekends every spring. A refreshed deck without the cost or timeline of a full rebuild.

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What Is Deck Resurfacing?

Deck resurfacing means replacing the deck boards and railing on your existing deck while keeping as much of your existing frame in place as possible. If the structure underneath is sound but the surface is worn out, resurfacing gets you a deck that looks and feels brand new in days, not weeks, for less than a full rebuild, and it's your chance to move to a board that doesn't need yearly upkeep.

Some composite decking designs call for adjustments to the joist spacing underneath. When that's the case, we reuse your existing joists wherever the wood is in good condition, so you're not paying to replace framing that doesn't need it.

This is different from a full deck rebuild, which tears out the frame and starts over, and different from new deck construction, which builds a deck where one doesn't exist. Resurfacing is specifically for homeowners whose deck structure still has good bones but whose boards and railing don't.

Is Your Deck a Candidate for Resurfacing?

Most decks are good candidates for resurfacing if the frame is structurally sound. Here's what we look for:

  • Boards are graying, splintering, or cupping, but don't feel soft or spongy underfoot.
  • Railing is loose, wobbly, or visibly aged compared to the rest of the structure.
  • Nails or screws are backing out of the deck surface.
  • You're done with the yearly cycle of sanding, staining, and sealing, and want a deck you can just enjoy instead.

If boards feel soft, spongy, or spring underfoot, that can point to rot in the frame itself, not just the surface. We'll tell you honestly during your free inspection whether resurfacing is the right fit or whether the structure needs attention first.

Cupping deck boards Worn deck railing Nails backing out of deck boards Deck needing sanding and staining
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Low Maintenance Is the Whole Point

Wood decking looks great for a season and then the upkeep starts: sanding, staining, sealing, and doing it all again next year. Composite decking and aluminum railing end that cycle. Once it's installed, there's no annual refinishing, no re-staining before summer, and no repainting rusted railing. You get your weekends back, and the deck still looks like it did on install day for years afterward.

Materials: Trex, TimberTech, and Westbury

We install Trex and TimberTech composite decking for resurfacing projects, plus Westbury aluminum railing for railing replacement. All three are built for Minnesota's swings between hot summers and freezing winters, and all three are built to be maintenance-free: no sanding, no staining, no sealing, no repainting.

Trex logo Westbury logo TimberTech logo
Material What It's Good For
Trex composite decking Fade and stain resistant board with a range of color options, available with Trex's SunComfortable Technology to help keep the surface cooler underfoot, and backed by a manufacturer warranty against splintering, rotting, and insect damage.
TimberTech composite decking Premium capped composite with realistic wood-grain finishes, available with TimberTech's Cool Touch technology, built for low maintenance and long-term color retention.
Westbury aluminum railing Maintenance-free aluminum railing built to hold up through Minnesota winters without rusting, warping, or needing to be repainted.

We'll walk you through color, board profile, and railing style options during your design consultation based on your home's exterior and your budget.

Planning other exterior work while you're at it? We also handle siding, windows, gutters, and roofing.

What Affects the Cost of Deck Resurfacing

Every deck is different, so there isn't one price for resurfacing. These are the things that move the number, so you know what you're looking at when you compare estimates.

Deck Size

More square footage means more boards, more fasteners, and more labor time.

Board Line and Color

Trex and TimberTech each offer more than one product line, and cost varies from line to line. Color and features like heat-mitigating technology can also change the price.

Railing Length and Style

Railing is measured by length, so a long or wrapping railing costs more than a short one. Style and finish choices also affect the total.

Stairs

The number of steps, their width, and any stair railing all add to the scope of a resurfacing project.

Frame Condition

We reuse your existing frame wherever it's in good shape. If the inspection finds damage, or your joists need adjusting to fit composite boards, that work is added to the project. We flag it before anything starts and go over your options.

Layout and Access

Picture-frame borders and diagonal patterns take more cuts and more time than a straight layout. So does working on a high deck or in tight spaces.

We look at all of this during your free inspection, so you know the full scope before you decide.

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How Deck Resurfacing Works

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Free Inspection

We check the frame, posts, and footings to confirm your deck is a good candidate for resurfacing.

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Material Selection

Choose your Trex or TimberTech board color and Westbury railing style.

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Board & Railing Removal

We remove the old decking and railing down to the existing frame.

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Install & Walkthrough

New boards and railing go in, and we walk the finished deck with you before we call it done. From here, maintenance is basically a hose and a broom.

Why Homeowners Choose Honest Exteriors

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Locally Licensed

Minnesota License #BC784168, based in Eden Prairie and serving the Twin Cities metro.

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Straight Answers

We'll tell you if resurfacing is the right call for your deck, or if it isn't, before any work starts.

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One Crew, Start to Finish

The team that inspects your deck is the team that installs it.

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Built to Be Low Maintenance

Every material option we install is chosen to cut your yearly upkeep, not add to it.

What Homeowners Are Saying

★★★★★

"Honest Exteriors did a great job cleaning our gutters and adding a gutter screen system! Their professionals recommended the right product for our home and offered exceptional communication. The follow-up was great!"

Julie M.

★★★★★

"We had a really good experience with our gutter repairs and updates. Quick response, and worked with our scheduling needs. The work was well done with an extremely polite and skilled team."

Kimberly N.

★★★★★

"Thank you Honest Exteriors for doing a great job on my siding and roofing project. I appreciated your patience with the product selection process. The end product looks great and was done well!"

John S.

Deck Resurfacing FAQs

What does "deck resurfacing" mean?
Deck resurfacing means replacing the deck boards and railing on your existing deck while keeping as much of your existing frame in place as possible. It's a surface-level replacement, not a full rebuild.
How is resurfacing different from a full deck rebuild?
A full rebuild tears out the frame, posts, and footings and starts over. Resurfacing keeps most of the structure and replaces the boards and railing, which is why it costs less and takes less time, as long as the frame is sound.
How much does deck resurfacing cost?
It depends on your deck. The biggest factors are the size of the deck, the board line and color you choose, how much railing and how many stairs you have, and the condition of the existing frame. Design details like picture-frame borders and deck height matter too. After a free inspection, we scope your project and give you an estimate, so you know the full cost before you decide.
Why do deck resurfacing estimates vary so much from one contractor to the next?
Estimates often cover different scopes. One might include railing, stairs, and removal of the old material while another covers boards only, and frame repairs can be handled differently too. When you compare estimates, ask what's included for railing, stairs, old material removal, and any frame repairs.
Will resurfacing require changes to my deck's framing?
Sometimes. Certain composite decking layouts call for adjusted joist spacing underneath. When that's the case, we reuse your existing joists wherever the wood is in good condition, so you're not paying to rebuild framing that doesn't need it.
Can you resurface a wood deck with composite decking?
Yes. Switching from wood boards to Trex or TimberTech composite decking, and from wood railing to Westbury aluminum railing, during a resurfacing project is one of the most common upgrades we do, and it's usually the main reason homeowners resurface in the first place: they're done maintaining wood.
How much maintenance does a resurfaced deck actually need?
Composite decking and aluminum railing don't need sanding, staining, sealing, or repainting. Routine cleaning with soap and water is typically all that's required to keep it looking new.
How long does deck board and railing replacement take?
Most resurfacing projects take a few days from removal to final walkthrough, depending on deck size and railing scope. We'll give you a specific timeline after your free inspection.
What if my deck's railing needs replacing but the boards are fine, or vice versa?
Resurfacing can cover boards, railing, or both. We'll scope the estimate to what your deck actually needs rather than a one-size package.

Deck Resurfacing Across the Twin Cities

Honest Exteriors resurfaces decks and replaces railing throughout the Twin Cities metro, including Eden Prairie, Bloomington, Minnetonka, Chanhassen, Chaska, Shakopee, Savage, Prior Lake, Burnsville, Lakeville, Eagan, and Apple Valley. See our full service area.

Want to learn more before you call? Our homeowner guides cover roofing, siding, storm damage, and more.

Honest Exteriors · 6566 Edenvale Blvd Ste B, Eden Prairie, MN 55346 · (612) 800-6580 · License BC784168

Ready for a Backyard Refresh?

Schedule your free deck inspection and get a written estimate for maintenance-free board and railing replacement.

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