
Bartow Deck & Fence serves Lakeland homeowners with custom decks, pool decks, composite decking, and fences. Whether your home backs up to one of Lakeland's 38 lakes or sits in a newer North Lakeland subdivision, we build outdoor structures that hold up to Polk County's climate.

Lakeland's mix of lakefront lots, older ranch homes, and newer subdivisions means every yard is different. Our custom deck design and build service is built around what your specific property needs - not a catalog package - so the deck fits the lot, the home, and the way you actually use your outdoor space.
Lakeland has a high share of homes with in-ground pools, and pool deck work is one of our most common requests here. Slip-resistant surfaces, proper drainage away from the pool edge, and materials that handle full sun and daily water exposure are all things we design into every pool deck we build.
Lakeland's humidity stays above 70% for most of the year, and that constant moisture accelerates rot in untreated wood. Composite decking resists moisture, UV fading, and the kind of mold growth that plagues unprotected wood in this climate - making it a smart choice for lakefront and shaded properties especially.
Lakeland's afternoon thunderstorm season and year-round mosquito pressure make screened enclosures one of the most practical upgrades a homeowner can make. A well-built screened porch lets you enjoy the outdoors through the long hot months without fighting insects or sitting through every storm.
In Lakeland's climate, an unprotected wood deck can start showing visible weathering within a single season. Annual staining and sealing stops moisture from penetrating the wood, slows UV fading, and keeps the deck surface safe and splinter-free - extending the life of your investment by years.
Lakeland's summer sun is intense from late April through October. A solid patio cover gives you a shaded outdoor space you can actually use during the hottest part of the day, and it keeps deck surfaces and outdoor furniture from taking the full heat load every afternoon.
Lakeland has 38 lakes spread across the city, and a significant portion of its residential lots are near or adjacent to water. Lakefront properties deal with higher ground moisture, reflected UV from the water surface, and drainage that flows toward the lake rather than away from the home. A deck built on a lakefront lot needs footings that account for the higher water table and materials that can handle constant ambient moisture. Builders who work mostly on inland lots in drier parts of Florida may underestimate how quickly wood breaks down when it is 30 feet from open water year-round.
Beyond the lakefront, Lakeland's housing stock presents a range of conditions. The older ranch homes built from the 1950s through the 1970s - which make up a large share of Lakeland's established neighborhoods - use concrete block construction with slab foundations. Attaching a deck to one of these homes requires the right hardware and proper waterproofing at the ledger connection to prevent moisture from migrating into the block wall. Newer subdivisions in North Lakeland and near the Polk Parkway use wood-frame construction with stucco exteriors, which requires a different approach. Lakeland sits on soil that can be sandy and unstable in some spots, particularly former grove land and fill lots, so footing depth and diameter matter more than in areas with stable native soil.
Our crew works throughout Lakeland regularly, and we understand the local conditions that affect deck and fence work here. We are familiar with the City of Lakeland Building Services Division's permit process and what inspectors look for on both attached and freestanding structures. Lakeland is the largest city in Polk County and has distinct neighborhoods - the established streets near Lake Mirror and Florida Southern College, the older residential areas closer to downtown, and the growing subdivisions further north and south all have different property types and different challenges.
Lakeland earned its reputation as one of the most lightning-prone cities in North America, and the summer afternoon storms that come through from June through September are something every Lakeland contractor works around. We schedule work to avoid the typical storm window and plan material staging so nothing gets damaged sitting in a driveway overnight. The neighborhoods near Joker Marchant Stadium and Lake Hollingsworth are some of the most established in the city, and the homes there reflect decades of careful upkeep by long-term owners who expect the same from the contractors they hire.
We also serve the communities adjacent to Lakeland. Homeowners in Plant City and Mulberry are part of our regular coverage area and receive the same service.
Call or fill out our contact form and we will follow up within one business day. A quick description of what you want to build helps us come prepared to give you a useful estimate.
We visit your property, assess the site, and provide a written estimate at no cost. We include permit costs in the estimate so there are no surprise fees after you sign.
We file with the City of Lakeland Building Services Division and schedule your project start once permits are approved. Most permits for standard residential decks are approved within a few weeks.
Our crew builds the project, the city inspector signs off, and we walk through the finished work with you. Nothing is closed out until you are satisfied with what was built.
We serve Lakeland and all of Polk County. Free estimates, no obligation.
(863) 535-4265Lakeland is the largest city in Polk County and home to roughly 120,000 residents spread across about 75 square miles. The city takes its name from the 38 lakes scattered throughout its boundaries, and the neighborhoods built along the water give Lakeland a distinctive character that sets it apart from other central Florida cities of similar size. The area around Lake Mirror in the heart of downtown is one of the most photographed spots in the city, and Florida Southern College, with its Frank Lloyd Wright campus near Lake Hollingsworth, draws visitors from across the country.
The housing stock ranges from pre-1960 ranch homes in the established neighborhoods around downtown to newer subdivisions built in the 2000s and 2010s along the northern and southern edges of the city. Lakeland's position on Interstate 4, halfway between Tampa and Orlando, has made it one of Florida's consistently growing mid-size cities, bringing both new construction and a steady demand for improvements to the existing housing stock. Homeowners in nearby Auburndale and Plant City are also part of our service area and we work regularly in both communities.
Durable pressure-treated lumber decks at an affordable price.
Learn MoreNaturally beautiful cedar decks with excellent weather resistance.
Learn MoreProtect and refresh your deck with professional staining and sealing.
Learn MoreClassic wood privacy fences that define your yard beautifully.
Learn MoreEnjoy the outdoors bug-free with a custom screened enclosure.
Learn MoreGet a free on-site estimate from a local deck builder. We serve Lakeland and all of Polk County, and we respond within one business day.