The Story Behind Our Craft

At Distinctive Deck Designs, we believe your outdoor space should be just as inviting and functional as the inside of your home. For over 25 years we've specialized in creating custom decks, covered living areas, and outdoor features in Northern Virginia that reflect our clients lifestyles, tastes, and dreams. We are proud to be a highly rated contractor serving Fairfax, Loudoun, and Prince William counties.

Proudly family-owned and serving Northern Virginia with craftsmanship and care since 2000.

Why Choose Us

Expertise & Commitment
You Can Trust

At Distinctive Deck Designs, we take pride in being a small, family-owned business that treats every project like it’s happening in our own backyard. Our lead carpenter and project manager, Dave, has been with us since we opened in 2000, and he’s the same trusted expert you’ll meet during your first on-site consultation.

His years of experience, steady leadership, and attention to detail help make our process smooth, thoughtful, and built on trust. That kind of consistency, experience, and personal investment is rare, and it’s what sets us apart.

When you work with us, you’re not just hiring a contractor, you’re partnering with a tight-knit team that truly cares about bringing your vision to life with honesty, craftsmanship, and pride.

Our Story

Rooted in Craft, Built for Life

Our story began with a shared passion for craftsmanship, community, and creating outdoor spaces that feel like home. In 2000, best friends Mark Shriner and Dave Tingle combined their talents to form Distinctive Deck Designs, a company rooted in quality work and genuine relationships.

For over two decades, they built a reputation across Northern Virginia for thoughtful design, expert carpentry, and customer care that feels personal. After Mark’s passing in 2024, his daughter Mackenzie stepped in as Director of Operations, continuing her father’s legacy with the same dedication and family-driven values.

Today, the company remains proudly family-owned, with Dave leading all sales while continuing his hands-on role as lead carpenter, crew chief, and project manager. Together, we’re honored to keep building the kind of spaces and customer experiences that Distinctive Deck Designs was founded on.

Our Build Process

From your first conversation with us to the final walkthrough, we’ve designed a process that’s clear, collaborative, and easy to follow. We take the time to listen, offer guidance at every step, and keep things moving smoothly, so you always know what to expect and feel confident along the way.

  • Free on-site consultation followed by design and a line-item quote;
  • Straightforward design approval and signed proposal to lock in next steps;
  • Permitting, HOA coordination, and project scheduling and construction;
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Our Experts

Mackenzie Shriner

Owner and Director of Operations

Mackenzie Shriner grew up immersed in the world of construction, spending summers, winters, and school breaks working alongside her father, Mark Shriner, the founder of Distinctive Deck Designs. With his guidance and encouragement, she developed a strong foundation in the values that still shape the company today – work ethic, clear communication, and pride in a job well done.

After earning her degree from Virginia Tech, Mackenzie built a career supporting individuals with disabilities and their families, before returning home to carry on the family business. Now serving as Director of Operations, she leads with a people-first approach and a commitment to environmentally conscious practices – a nod to her degree studies in psychology and sustainability. Mackenzie carries on with the same integrity and commitment her father was known for, blending hands-on experience with a deep appreciation for people, process, and purpose.

David Tingle

Lead Designer, Carpenter, & Project Manager

David Tingle, our Master Designer and Lead Carpenter, has been building decks and porches across Northern Virginia for over 35 years. Before merging with Mark Shriner in 2000 to form Distinctive Deck Designs, Dave was Mark’s go-to deck contractor for several of the region’s premier new home communities, including Balmoral of Clifton, Fairfax National, and the Estates of Great Falls.

With a background in architecture and drafting, Dave brings both artistic vision and technical precision to every project. Today, he leads all sales and continues to serve as lead carpenter, crew chief, and project manager – guiding each build with steady leadership, deep expertise, and a genuine passion for the craft.

Areas We Service

We bring expert design-build solutions to homeowners across Northern Virginia. We build decks, porches, and patios in Fairfax County, Prince William county, and Loudoun County. Explore the map to further view the locations we serve.

Loudoun County
  • Aldie
  • Ashburn
  • Brambleton
  • Broadlands
  • Hamilton
  • Hillsboro
  • Lansdowne
  • Leesburg
  • Purcellville
  • South Riding
  • Sterling
  • Stone Ridge
Fairfax County
  •  Alexandria (Fairfax County portion)
  • Annandale
  • Burke
  • Centreville
  • Chantilly
  • Clifton
  • Fairfax (City of Fairfax)
  • Fairfax Station
  • Falls Church (Fairfax County portion)
  • Great Falls
  • Herndon
  • Lorton
  • McLean
  • Oakton
  • Reston
  • Springfield
  • Tysons
  • Vienna
Prince William County
  • Bristow
  • Dumfries
  • Gainesville
  • Haymarket
  • Lake Ridge
  • Manassas (City of Manassas)
  • Manassas Park
  • Montclair
  • Nokesville
  • Occoquan
  • Quantico
  • Woodbridge

Frequently Asked Questions

Find commonly asked questions & answers about our deck building services.

What services do you offer?

We design and build custom decks, screened and open porches, patios, under‑deck ceilings, outdoor fireplaces & firepits, gazebos, cabanas, 3 season rooms, pavers, flagstone, landscape lighting, and more.

What materials do you use?

We use top-quality materials to ensure your outdoor space is built to last and look great doing it. We offer Trex decking, Trex composite railings, and Trex aluminum rail systems, as well as Techo Bloc pavers and beautiful natural stones sourced from trusted local stone yards. We’re also happy to work with other top brands by request - your preference is our priority!

Are you licensed and insured?

Yes, we’re fully licensed, bonded, and insured—so you can be confident you’re working with trusted professionals.

How does your build process work?

Our process starts with a free consultation, leads to a detailed design and quote, goes through permitting and HOA approvals, and finishes with expert build-out—keeping communication clear each step of the way.

How much does composite decking cost?

Costs vary by project size and material choice. We offer free on-site consultations to recommend what fits your budget and style.

Where do you work?

Based in Clifton, VA, we serve Fairfax, Loudoun, and Prince William Counties in Northern Virginia.

Do you handle permits and HOA approvals?

Absolutely. We take care of all required county/city permits and provide documentation for HOA submissions. We only need a copy of your house location survey (plat) to get started.

What kind of warranty do you offer?

Distinctive Deck Designs provides a 3-year workmanship warranty beginning at the completion of your project. As a TrexPro Platinum contractor, we also offer extended labor warranties through Trex—5 years when using either Trex decking or railing, and 10 years when using both. In addition, Trex offers limited material warranties that range from 25 to 50 years, depending on the specific product used. Manufacturer warranties are separate from our workmanship coverage, and any material-related concerns are handled directly through the manufacturer.

Are you sustainable or environmentally friendly?

Yes. We make sustainability a priority throughout our design and build process. Many of the composite products we use, including Trex decking, are made from up to 95% recycled materials. We also partner with Terra Blue for responsibly sourced and recycled natural stone products. From reducing material waste on job sites to choosing long-lasting, low-maintenance materials, we’re committed to building beautiful outdoor spaces that are better for the environment too.

We design and build custom decks, screened and open porches, patios, under‑deck ceilings, outdoor fireplaces & firepits, gazebos, cabanas, 3 season rooms, pavers, flagstone, landscape lighting, and more.

We use top-quality materials to ensure your outdoor space is built to last and look great doing it. We offer Trex decking, Trex composite railings, and Trex aluminum rail systems, as well as Techo Bloc pavers and beautiful natural stones sourced from trusted local stone yards. We’re also happy to work with other top brands by request – your preference is our priority!

Yes, we’re fully licensed, bonded, and insured—so you can be confident you’re working with trusted professionals.

Our process starts with a free consultation, leads to a detailed design and quote, goes through permitting and HOA approvals, and finishes with expert build-out—keeping communication clear each step of the way.

Costs vary by project size and material choice. We offer free on-site consultations to recommend what fits your budget and style.

Based in Clifton, VA, we serve Fairfax, Loudoun, and Prince William Counties in Northern Virginia.

Absolutely. We take care of all required county/city permits and provide documentation for HOA submissions. We only need a copy of your house location survey (plat) to get started.

Distinctive Deck Designs provides a 3-year workmanship warranty beginning at the completion of your project. As a TrexPro Platinum contractor, we also offer extended labor warranties through Trex—5 years when using either Trex decking or railing, and 10 years when using both. In addition, Trex offers limited material warranties that range from 25 to 50 years, depending on the specific product used. Manufacturer warranties are separate from our workmanship coverage, and any material-related concerns are handled directly through the manufacturer.

Yes. We make sustainability a priority throughout our design and build process. Many of the composite products we use, including Trex decking, are made from up to 95% recycled materials. We also partner with Terra Blue for responsibly sourced and recycled natural stone products. From reducing material waste on job sites to choosing long-lasting, low-maintenance materials, we’re committed to building beautiful outdoor spaces that are better for the environment too.

See what others are saying about us!

Our commitment to quality, craftsmanship, and exceptional service is reflected in the words of our satisfied clients. Here’s what they have to say:

Trish C.Porch, Patio, and Walkway

We can’t thank Distinctive Deck Design enough for the great job they did from beginning to end! We absolutely LOVE our new outdoor space- from the new front walkway to the roofed trex deck and patio! They were prompt, reliable and always receptive to any questions we had. Even after initial plans were drawn up, and we wanted to make some changes, they were so patient with accommodating all our questions to make sure it was what we wanted. What impressed us even more was when we realized our travel plans overlapped a good portion of the work effort- they sent pictures of daily progress and coordinated communication to make sure we were in sync every step of the way. Knowing that they took such care in their workmanship really put our mind at ease. We are hoping they can fit us in in the spring to do some additional work as well!

Erin R.Deck, Porch, Patio, & Fireplace

The amazing team at this company completed our deck project this past summer 2024. From getting the initial quote to completing the final cleanup and reseeding the lawn, this team was absolutely amazing. They were fast and efficient, even creating a makeshift overhead tarp one weekend to continue working on the patio stonework in the rain! Emails were handled promptly. When we needed to make a few changes on the fly, they worked to source exactly what we needed and make it happen! The final project is such high quality and we have received numerous compliments from friends and neighbors. It is our new favorite room of our house! I recommend Distinctive Deck Designs without hesitation. Great company! Great product! Great service!

Linda H.Deck and Porch Remodel

WOW! This company is amazing to work with. Dave came out to give us an estimate and had some great ideas about our new deck. Mackenzie in the office is QUICK to respond to any questions. The guys came and worked hard, the work area was left clean every night and they were very meticulous on their craftmanship. They rescreened our porch. We could not be happier. We have and will continue to refer them to friends and family.

Robert U.Trex Deck

Mark and his team replaced a large 30+ year old wood deck with a new Trex deck with lighting. They moved an existing hot tub to a new location and constructed the new deck to accommodate it. We selected Mark’s company because we liked his design concept better than other proposals we got, his price was reasonable, and he had a well-established track record of good reviews. Once work began, his team worked steadily to completion and finished in about a week. His team very good to work with, answered our questions as work progressed, and kept the worksite orderly. We have thoroughly enjoyed our new deck.

Thomas H.Deck Remodel with Trex

Excellent work. Everyone was very nice. Dave was especially nice and patient with us. Very important, Dave listened to us.The crew that came in were very professional. You could tell they take pride in their work. We put them all through a challenge with our deck. They were replacing an existing deck. That deck had a five sided bench. We needed the replacement to be exactly the same as we have custom cushions made for it. They came through like gang busters. Would I have them come back? Yes. Would we do anything different? No.

Jennifer K.Composite Deck

Mackenzie, Dave and crew were responsive, reliable and very competitively priced. They were communicative and so easy to work with. Our deck is beautiful!!

Katherine A.Deck and Patio

We were very impressed with the responsiveness and the professionalism of this company. After receiving several competing deck designs and estimates, Mark’s was the best value by far. Distinctive Deck Designs does one project at a time, so you know the team is tight and well supervised. No subcontractor middlemen to raise the price. The only drawback is the waiting list for them to complete your project is very long, but this is a testament to the demand for their services.

Helen M.Deck Resurface with Trex

professional, efficient, superior workmanship and nicely priced. One of the best contractors I have dealt with in the Northern Virginia area in the past 40 years. I highly recommend this company without any hesitation.

Ready to Start? Let’s Talk

Have a question or ready to start your project? We’d love to hear from you! Contact us today to discuss your vision, get a quote, or schedule a consultation.

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