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Building a deck near the Rhode Island coast

From Westerly to Newport to Warwick, a lot of RI homes sit in salt air. That changes the materials, the hardware and sometimes the permits.

Hardware matters as much as boards

Salt speeds up corrosion of steel fasteners and connectors. Near the water, builders commonly spec stainless steel or heavier-galvanized hangers, screws and bolts, following the hardware maker's guidance for coastal exposure. Ask every bidder what they plan to use; it's an easy place for quotes to differ.

Materials

• Composite and PVC decking hold up to moisture with less upkeep (see materials comparison).
• The frame is usually still pressure-treated lumber, so ground clearance, drainage and ledger flashing are key.
• Wind exposure on open shorelines makes railing and post attachment details important.

CRMC: the 200-foot rule

If any part of your project is on a coastal shoreline feature (beach, dune, coastal wetland, bluff, rocky shore, manmade shoreline) or within 200 feet of one, a CRMC Council Assent is generally required in addition to your town permit. CRMC lists a 50-foot minimum setback from shoreline features, larger in eroding areas (source). CRMC staff can verify which features apply to your lot.

Flood zones

In FEMA flood zones, especially coastal V and Coastal A zones, towns may require a registered design professional's documentation (Charlestown's published requirements are an example). Build in extra time for this.

Coastal towns we cover