Quigley Decks Shares What 25 Years of Building in Wisconsin's Climate Teaches You About Deck Materials

The Madison-based deck builder explains how Wisconsin's freeze-thaw cycles, humidity, and seasonal extremes should drive material and railing decisions — before a single board gets laid.

MADISON, WI, April 21, 2026 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Wisconsin puts outdoor structures through more seasonal stress than most homeowners account for when planning a deck. The same surface that bakes in July humidity gets buried under snow in January, then goes through weeks of freeze-thaw cycling in between. Over 25 years of building custom decks across southern Wisconsin, Tim Quigley has seen what holds up and what doesn't.

"Every material makes promises," said Quigley. "Wisconsin is where those promises get tested. What looks great in a showroom and what survives ten winters here are two different conversations."

The core material decision — pressure-treated wood, composite, or PVC — carries long-term consequences that most homeowners don't fully weigh at the planning stage. Pressure-treated lumber remains the most common choice for structural framing due to its load-bearing reliability, but above-deck surfaces tell a different story. Composite and PVC decking have largely displaced wood for surface boards in Wisconsin's climate because they don't absorb moisture, won't warp through freeze-thaw cycles, and don't require the annual sealing and staining that wood demands to stay protected.

Railing selection is where Quigley says homeowners most often make decisions they later reconsider. Cable railing offers unobstructed sightlines and has grown in popularity across Madison's lakefront and suburban properties, but cable tension requires periodic adjustment in climates with significant temperature variance. Aluminum railing holds up well structurally and requires minimal maintenance, while composite options match decking materials for a unified finish.

Footings are the part of the project nobody photographs but everybody depends on. In Wisconsin, deck footings must extend below the frost line — typically 48 inches — to prevent the seasonal ground movement that shifts and cracks above-grade structures over time. A deck that moves is a deck that fails prematurely regardless of what was built on top of it.

Quigley Decks serves residential clients throughout Madison and southern Wisconsin. More information is available at quigleydecks.com or by calling (608) 577-4277.

Quigley Decks is a Madison, Wisconsin-based custom deck building company with 25 years of experience serving residential clients across southern Wisconsin. Founded by Tim Quigley, the company specializes in custom decks, cable, aluminum, and composite railing systems, and both interior and exterior projects.

Contact:
Tim Quigley, Owner
Quigley Decks
(608) 577-4277
Tim@quigleydecks.com
quigleydecks.com

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