Owner-operated · Homeowner guide
Making Your Deck Safer for Kids and PetsHomeowner guide · Georgia decks
Making Your Deck Safer for Kids and Pets A safe deck starts with tight railings, secure gates and boards that do not splinter or turn slick when wet. Breno walks the property with you and points out every spot where a small foot or paw could slip through or get hurt.
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- Crews with 10+ years of combined experience
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Homeowner guide
Making Your Deck Safer for Kids and Pets
Children and animals see a deck as an extension of the yard, so it helps to look closely at gaps, edges, stairs and surfaces from their low, curious point of view.
- The owner comes to the visit and writes the estimate himself
- Crews with 10+ years of combined experience
- Insured (general liability)
- Rated 5.0 on Google across 31 reviews as of Nov 2026
- Photos from our own jobs, not stock images
Guide
Railing Gaps and Climbing Hazards
The space between balusters is the first place a curious child or dog tests. If a fist can slide through, a head or torso might follow, and horizontal cables or lattice can become a ladder in seconds. We check every run from the front steps near Canton Street to the rear porch overlooking the woods, making sure the infill is vertical, spaced tight and fastened so it cannot be pushed out. A quick shove test on each section tells us more than a tape measure ever could.
On older homes around Steeplechase the original rails were often built with wider gaps or decorative cutouts that look nice but invite climbing. We replace those sections with solid vertical pickets that match the style of the house while removing the footholds. If the top rail is wide enough to walk on, we add a secondary cap or a plant shelf that breaks the stride without blocking the view of the Chattahoochee treeline.
Guide
Gates at the Stairs
Stairs are the fastest route off the deck for a toddler or a darting pet, so a gate that latches on its own is not optional. We build the gate frame from the same joist material as the deck so it feels like part of the structure, not an afterthought. The hinge post gets a through-bolt into the newel, and the latch side catches on a solid strike plate that will not bend when the gate swings shut hard.
Homes along Holcomb Bridge Road often have a landing that turns toward the driveway, which means the gate has to swing uphill or clear a sloped threshold. We set the hinge height and swing direction during the walk-through so the gate closes by gravity and the latch engages every time. A simple pull test with one hand confirms it holds, and we show you how to adjust the tension when the wood swells in summer humidity.
How it works
Five steps. No surprises.
Call, text, or send the form
Tell us what is going on: a new deck, a repair, or “not sure yet.” We reply the same day.
Free on-site visit
Breno looks at the deck or the yard himself, measures, and goes over your options with you.
Written estimate
Scope, materials and price come in writing, so you know the plan before anything starts.
Schedule and permits
We agree on a start date and confirm any city, county or HOA requirement for your address first.
Build and final walk-through
Breno is on the job, and we go over the finished work with you before we call it done.
Real B&T work
Photos from real jobs
Real photos from B&T projects in North Georgia.
Guide
Slick Wet Boards and Surface Traction
Shade and moisture are the two main things that age decks here, and a film of algae on smooth boards turns a morning dew into an ice rink. We walk every tread and floor board after rain to feel where the grip disappears, especially on the north-facing runs that never see full sun. A stiff broom and a deck cleaner formulated for mildew removal usually restore bite without damaging the wood fibers.
If the boards are worn smooth from years of foot traffic, we can rout a shallow groove pattern or apply a non-slip coating that keeps the natural look. On a recent job near Alpharetta Highway the homeowner wanted to keep the original cedar color, so we used a clear grit additive in the stain that feels like fine sandpaper under bare feet. The difference is immediate, and the surface still accepts a fresh coat next season without stripping.
Guide
Splinters, Hot Surfaces and Loose Fasteners
Bare feet find every raised grain and popped nail head, and dark stain in July can burn a child's soles in seconds. We run a palm sander over the high spots and drive every protruding fastener below the surface, then fill the dimples with a matching wood plug so there is nothing to catch a toe. On composite decks we check the clip system for loose boards that flex and create pinch points at the joints.
Heat builds fastest on the stair treads that face the afternoon sun, particularly on lots west of GA-400 where the tree canopy thins out. We often suggest a lighter stain tone or a runner made from outdoor-rated mesh that rolls up for cleaning. A quick hand test at two o'clock tells you if the surface is safe for paws and feet, and the mesh adds traction without trapping moisture against the boards.
Guide
Walk-Around Checklist and Supervision Habits
Start at the house connection and work your way out: wiggle the ledger, feel for soft spots in the joists, push on every rail post, and run your hand along each baluster. Check the gate latch with one finger, then step on the bottom tread and bounce. If anything moves more than a hair, mark it with tape and call us. We bring a level, a probe and a flashlight to the same spots you just checked and give you a written list of what needs repair before the weekend.
Supervision is still the best safety device, but the deck should not fight you. Keep furniture away from the rail so it cannot be used as a step stool, store grill tools and chemicals in a latched box, and teach kids that the gate stays closed unless an adult opens it. On a recent visit to a home in historic Roswell the family added a bench with built-in storage right inside the gate, so the habit of closing it became the habit of sitting down together.
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Local notes
Around Roswell and Alpharetta and nearby
Roswell. Roswell pairs a historic downtown and the Chattahoochee River with large residential areas such as Brookfield West, Willow Springs and Steeplechase. Many homes west of GA-400 date from the 1970s and 1980s, while newer subdivisions sit in other parts of the city. Communities in the area include Brookfield West, Willow Springs, Steeplechase, historic Roswell.
Alpharetta. Alpharetta combines a busy GA-400 business corridor with established neighborhoods such as Windward and Broadlands. Housing includes single-family homes, townhomes and newer construction, and many of the single-family decks have been in place for years. Communities in the area include Windward, Broadlands, downtown Alpharetta.
Milton. Milton's lots are generally larger than typical suburban parcels, with rolling ground, mature trees and room for long decks, multi-level layouts and outdoor living spaces. Communities in the area include Crabapple, Birmingham, Deerfield, Atlanta National.
Straight answers
Common questions
How do I know if my railing gaps are too wide without measuring?
Make a fist and try to push it through the space between pickets. If your knuckles pass, a small head or pet can too. We tighten or replace the infill so nothing larger than a golf ball fits.
My gate swings open downhill and will not latch. Can you fix the swing?
Yes. We remount the hinges on the uphill post and add a gravity closer so the gate shuts and catches on its own. The latch height gets set so adults reach it easily but kids do not.
The boards get slimy in spring and my dog slides. What works best?
We clean with a mildew remover, then add a clear grit additive to the next stain coat. The surface feels like fine sandpaper and stays grippy when wet without looking rough.
Are composite boards cooler than wood in summer?
Some lighter composites run cooler, but dark colors still absorb heat. We test samples on your site at midday so you feel the difference before choosing.
A nail popped up on the top step. Can I just hammer it down?
Hammering usually pops it again. We pull the fastener, drive a coated screw into fresh wood, and set the head flush so it holds for the long term.
My HOA in Brookfield West reviews rail changes. Do you handle that?
We prepare the drawings and material specs your association asks for and submit them as part of the package. You confirm the process with the board and we keep the schedule moving.
The stairs have open risers and my toddler tries to climb through. What do you suggest?
We close the risers with a matching board or a tight mesh panel that blocks the gap but lets light and air through. The fix blends with the existing stair stringers.
Can you add a gate to an existing stair opening without rebuilding the rails?
Usually yes. We attach a newel to the side stringer, hang a gate that matches your rail style, and reinforce the post so the gate feels solid from day one.
Verified Google reviews
What the neighbors are saying
These are verified Google reviews from B&T customers.
★★★★★
“Breno F. is an incredible man. He helped my aging mother when no one else would and went the extra mile with a complex home repair. His work is meticulous and his follow through is commendable. He is a good man with a great heart. Highly recommended!”
★★★★★
“Outstanding service! Breno is knowledgeable, honest, and takes pride in his work. It's hard to find a company this reliable these days.”
Who’s doing the work
About B&T Properties
B&T Properties is run by Breno, who visits the job, writes the estimate and stays involved until the work is done. The crew has 10+ years of combined deck experience, and the company carries General Liability insurance. We work in Roswell and across Fulton County.
Upgrades
Make it yours: popular upgrades
Thinking beyond the basics? Mention any of these at your free estimate and Breno will go over what makes sense for your home.
Cover or screens
Shade, rain cover or screens, planned in from the start.
Railing styles
Railing is what you see first, so we go over the options before the estimate is final.
Composite decking
A surface with no sanding, sealing or yearly staining to keep up with.
Lighting
Soft LED lighting along the steps and rail, so the deck is usable after dark.
Written warranty
1-year workmanship warranty
B&T Properties warrants our workmanship for one year from completion and fixes failures caused by our work at no charge. Not covered: material defects (manufacturer warranty), normal wear, weather, misuse, lack of maintenance, or work by others. Claims in writing.
Free written estimate
Ask Breno about your deck — free and in writing.
No call center, no sales rep — the person who answers is the person who does the work.