Bear Point sits on a peninsula in east Orange Beach, at the end of Canal Road. It’s almost surrounded by water, including Arnica Bay, Terry Cove, Bay La Launch and Bayou St. John, all flowing to the Gulf through Perdido Pass. The neighborhood mixes classic beach cottages, new coastal builds and waterfront homes with docks, and it has a relaxed, golf-cart-friendly feel.

For most Bear Point homes, the deck is where life happens. This guide covers how to build one that makes the most of the water and holds up to it.

Elevated Decks for the View

Many Bear Point homes are raised, and a deck at the main living level puts you above the seawall, docks and vegetation with a clear view of the water. When designing an elevated deck, we plan:

deck height and size to line up with the main living space and the best sightlines
railings that keep the view open, such as aluminum pickets, cable or glass
stairs and landings that meet code and land where you actually walk, whether that’s toward the dock, the pool or the golf cart parking
a covered section for shade, with an open section for sun

For more design ideas, see maximizing your view with deck design in Orange Beach.

Built for Salt, Sun and Wind

A deck surrounded by water faces constant salt air, reflected sun and wind with nothing to block it. We build Bear Point decks with:

stainless steel fasteners and hardware that resist corrosion
capped composite decking that won’t splinter, rot or fade quickly in UV. Compare materials in our Orange Beach composite decking guide
hurricane ties, through-bolted connections and footings sized for wind loads

Red Branch is a FORTIFIED Gold provider, and we build to FORTIFIED methods where homeowners want the extra protection. Read more in FORTIFIED decks in Orange Beach.

Older Cottage Decks: Repair or Rebuild?

Bear Point has plenty of classic beach cottages, and some of their decks have seen decades of salt and storms. Signs a deck needs more than new boards:

rusted or stained hardware, especially at the ledger and post connections
soft spots in joists or posts, or wood that crumbles when probed
railings that move when you lean on them
a deck that bounces or slopes

If the framing is sound, new composite decking and railings can refresh the deck. If it isn’t, a rebuild on new footings is safer and lasts longer. We inspect before recommending either.

Make Use of the Space Below

An elevated deck creates shaded space underneath for golf cart parking, kayak storage, an outdoor shower area or a shady seating spot. An under-deck drainage system such as Trex RainEscape or DekDrain keeps that space dry.

Permits and Flood Zones

Waterfront lots in Orange Beach are often in flood zones, and that can affect how a deck is designed and permitted. We review your lot’s requirements and handle the city permit so the plan you approve is one that can be built.

Other Orange Beach Neighborhoods We Serve

We also build on Ono Island, in the Orange Beach Golf Center area and throughout the city. See our outdoor living services in Orange Beach and what to look for in a Gulf Coast deck builder.

Plan Your Bear Point Deck

Contact Red Branch Outdoor Living to plan a new deck or rebuild an older one. We’ll look at your home, your view and your exposure, and design a deck built to last on the water.

Adding a kitchen to your deck? Read our guide to choosing an outdoor kitchen builder in Orange Beach.

Building elsewhere on the island? See our guide to deck builders in Orange Beach.