Decks by Schmillen LLC

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Decks by Schmillen LLC "Details Make the Difference"
We are a family-owned and operated deck building company.

We built our business on integrity, values, and putting our clients first. We are a family-owned and operated deck building company that has been built on integrity and values. DBS has been serving the Colorado Springs / El Paso County area for over 20 years. We can help you design and build the outdoor living space of your dreams!

🍂☕A crisp fall morning. A warm cup of coffee. A favorite spot outside. Your deck can be more than a place to step outsid...
10/10/2026

🍂☕A crisp fall morning. A warm cup of coffee. A favorite spot outside.

Your deck can be more than a place to step outside—it can be a place you look forward to spending time.

Dreaming of an outdoor space that fits your home and the way you live? Let’s talk about your custom deck, deck cover, or pergola.
What’s your perfect deck moment: morning coffee or sunset relaxation?

Decks by Schmillen
719-440-6966

🎥 1-Minute Build Tip: Privacy Screens for Decks - How to Add Comfort Without Closing In the SpacePrivacy screens can mak...
10/08/2026

🎥 1-Minute Build Tip: Privacy Screens for Decks - How to Add Comfort Without Closing In the Space

Privacy screens can make a huge difference in how comfortable your outdoor living space feels — but they work best when they are placed intentionally.

The goal is not to wall off the entire deck or make the space feel closed in. The goal is to create privacy exactly where you need it most.

That might be near a hot tub, around a seating area, beside a dining space, or along a specific neighbor sightline. When privacy screens are designed strategically, they give you more comfort without taking away the open feeling that makes outdoor living so enjoyable.

A good privacy screen should:

✅ Block the right view
✅ Preserve airflow and natural light
✅ Match the style of the deck and home
✅ Feel like part of the design — not an afterthought
✅ Create comfort without making the space feel boxed-in

When placed correctly, privacy screens can make the deck feel more peaceful without taking away the open, outdoor feel.

They can also become a beautiful design feature. With the right materials, spacing, height, and layout, a privacy screen can add texture, shade, and style while still serving a very practical purpose.
The key is balance.

Enough privacy to feel comfortable.
Enough openness to still enjoy the outdoors.
We design privacy to feel intentional, not boxed-in.

📞 Call 719-440-6966
Serving El Paso County, Colorado

Big outdoor living dreams are taking shape! Our clients came to Decks by Schmillen ready to create the space they’ve alw...
10/03/2026

Big outdoor living dreams are taking shape!

Our clients came to Decks by Schmillen ready to create the space they’ve always wanted. Together, we designed a multi-deck outdoor living retreat with a ground level patio and thoughtful features to make every level more inviting.

The plans include:

• A 502-square-foot upper deck with black steel railing.

• A 718-square-foot lower composite deck with steel railing.

• Trex RainEscape systems beneath both decks, paired with tongue-and-groove ceilings, to help keep the spaces below dry.

• A 39′ × 15′ stamped concrete patio beneath the lower deck, creating another place to relax and gather.

• Two Bromic Tungsten SmartHeat overhead patio heaters for comfort on cooler fall evenings.

• A custom-built, powder-coated steel spiral staircase connecting the lower deck to the patio below.

From relaxing upstairs to gathering on the patio, this design will give our clients more ways to enjoy their outdoor space.

With multiple subcontractors involved, this project will take time to bring to life. Follow our page for progress updates as we turn these plans into a backyard built around our clients’ dreams!

From Small Builder-Grade Deck to a Beautiful Outdoor Living Retreat!Last week, we shared the Before and During photos of...
09/30/2026

From Small Builder-Grade Deck to a Beautiful Outdoor Living Retreat!

Last week, we shared the Before and During photos of our Fountain Valley project. Today, we're excited to reveal the finished transformation!

What began as a small, original redwood deck is now a beautiful 360 SF composite deck with a custom shed-roof cover and an additional 260 SF of concrete patio space. Our clients finally have room to relax, entertain, and enjoy their backyard!

The homeowners selected Deckorators Voyage Sedona decking, featuring single end boards and strategically placed divider boards for a clean, finished appearance. A Fortress Fe26 powder-coated steel railing adds a sleek, modern touch.

Overhead, the new shed-roof cover features a gorgeous WoodTone tongue-and-groove ceiling in Texas Honey Brown. We carefully matched the soffit and fascia to the home's existing colors, creating a seamless addition that looks like it was always part of the house.
Even the stairs received special attention! We upgraded to PWT-treated LVL stringers instead of traditional 2x12 lumber for added strength and stability.

The result? A thoughtfully designed outdoor living space that combines beauty, functionality, and lasting craftsmanship.

Our clients are thrilled with their new backyard retreat and can't wait to entertain family and friends!

Decks by Schmillen | Custom Outdoor Living in Colorado Springs
719-440-6966

BEFORE ➡️ AFTER: From Wide Open to Private Outdoor RetreatBefore this project, our clients’ patio was completely open—op...
09/25/2026

BEFORE ➡️ AFTER: From Wide Open to Private Outdoor Retreat

Before this project, our clients’ patio was completely open—open to the sun, open to neighboring views, and offering very little privacy when they wanted to relax outside.

They had a vision for something much different.

Working together, we designed and built a custom pergola that completely changed how this backyard feels and functions. The new structure provides much-needed shade over the patio, while multiple integrated privacy screens help create separation from the surrounding properties.

The result is a backyard that feels far more comfortable, secluded, and inviting—without making the space feel closed in.

This is what we love about custom outdoor living projects. Sometimes the biggest transformation isn’t adding more square footage—it’s taking the space you already have and making it work better for the way you want to live.

Before: An exposed patio with little shade or privacy.

After: A custom pergola with shade, multiple privacy screens, and a backyard that finally feels like their own private retreat.

Thinking about transforming your backyard in Colorado Springs?

📞 Call Decks by Schmillen at 719-440-6966 and let’s start designing an outdoor space around you.

BEFORE ➡️ DURING ➡️ Stay tuned for the AFTER! 🏡What started as a small 8'x  12' redwood deck is quickly becoming a compl...
09/22/2026

BEFORE ➡️ DURING ➡️ Stay tuned for the AFTER! 🏡

What started as a small 8'x 12' redwood deck is quickly becoming a completely different outdoor living experience for these Fountain Valley homeowners.

BEFORE: The original 96 SF deck was built with the house and simply didn't provide enough room for comfortable seating, entertaining, or spending time outside with family and friends. The homeowners were ready to think bigger.

After exploring the different projects, styles, and options on our website, they worked with us to design a new outdoor living retreat that better fits their lifestyle.

DURING: Our crew removed the old deck, making way for a 360 SF composite deck - nearly four times the size of the original! We're also adding a shed-roof style deck cover with a closed, vaulted ceiling to help turn the expanded deck into a more comfortable and usable outdoor living area.

The project will include thirteen 4'-wide closed stairs, built with PWT-treated LVL stringers for added strength and stability. Our clients also decided to extend their concrete patio to match the footprint of the new deck, creating even more usable space below.

This isn't simply a deck replacement. It is a complete transformation of how these homeowners will be able to use and enjoy their backyard.

When everything comes together, they'll have a spacious outdoor living retreat designed for relaxing, entertaining and spending time with family and friends for decades to come.

Now comes the fun part - watching the transformation take shape. Stay tuned for the AFTER photos!

Decks by Schmillen
719-440-6966

This outdoor living transformation is really starting to take shape! When we first introduced this project, our crew had...
09/19/2026

This outdoor living transformation is really starting to take shape!

When we first introduced this project, our crew had just removed the homeowners’ outdated deck and started the framing for their new outdoor living space. Now, you can really begin to see the difference!

The new 520 SF composite deck provides significantly more modern and usable space than the original deck, giving these homeowners plenty of room to relax, entertain, and enjoy their backyard.

Framing is now underway for the 16' x 20' shed-roof deck cover, which will create a large protected area and help make this space comfortable throughout more of Colorado’s changing seasons.

One of the features we’re especially excited about is also beginning to take shape—the gas fireplace. The fireplace and mantel have now been framed in, creating what will become a beautiful focal point for the covered outdoor living area. 🔥

Once complete, the covered space will also feature two Bromic Tungsten overhead patio heaters, making those cooler Colorado evenings much more enjoyable.

There’s still plenty of work ahead, but this project is already showing just how dramatically the right design can transform an ordinary deck into a true extension of the home.

We can’t wait to show you the next stage!

Thinking bigger than just a new deck? Let’s design an outdoor living space around the way you want to use it.

📞 Call Decks by Schmillen at 719-440-6966.

🎥 1-Minute Build Tip: Post Cap LightingPost cap lights may be small, but they can completely change the way a deck looks...
09/16/2026

🎥 1-Minute Build Tip: Post Cap Lighting

Post cap lights may be small, but they can completely change the way a deck looks and feels after dark.

Instead of relying on harsh floodlights or bright overhead lighting, post cap lights add a soft glow around the perimeter of the deck. They highlight the railing, help define the edges, and make the entire outdoor living space feel more finished and welcoming.
This is one of those upgrades homeowners often don’t think about until they start using their deck in the evening. Whether you’re grilling dinner, entertaining friends, letting the dog out, or simply enjoying a quiet night outside, good lighting makes the space more comfortable and easier to use.

What you get with post cap lighting:

✅ Subtle, upscale glow
A soft lighting effect that adds warmth without overpowering the space.

✅ Safer edges and corners
Lighting along the railing helps people better understand the deck layout after sunset.

✅ Better nighttime curb appeal
A well-lit deck looks polished, intentional, and inviting from the yard.

✅ More usable outdoor living space
If your deck disappears after dark, the right lighting can help bring it back to life.

The best deck lighting feels planned — not added as an afterthought. That’s why we like to discuss lighting options during the design phase, so the layout, railing, stairs, and electrical details all work together.

If you use your deck after 5pm, post cap lights are worth considering.

📞 Call 719-440-6966
Serving El Paso County, Colorado

Today marks 25 years since September 11, 2001.Twenty-five years have passed, but we will never forget the lives lost, th...
09/11/2026

Today marks 25 years since September 11, 2001.

Twenty-five years have passed, but we will never forget the lives lost, the families whose lives were forever changed, and the courage shown by first responders, service members, and ordinary Americans who stepped forward in an unimaginable moment.

We remember the firefighters, police officers, paramedics, and other first responders who ran toward danger to help others. We remember those who went to work, boarded a plane, or began what seemed like an ordinary Tuesday morning and never made it home.

We also remember what followed—the strength, compassion, and unity shown by people across our country. Neighbors helped neighbors. Strangers helped strangers. Communities came together.

On this 25th anniversary, we pause to honor the nearly 3,000 lives lost and all those who continue to carry the impact of that day.
May we never forget their names, their stories, their families, and the sacrifices made on September 11, 2001.

We remember. We honor. We will never forget.

September — Su***de Prevention Month 💜🩵September is Su***de Prevention Month, a time to raise awareness, encourage conve...
09/10/2026

September — Su***de Prevention Month 💜🩵

September is Su***de Prevention Month, a time to raise awareness, encourage conversation, and remind the people around us that no one should have to struggle alone. And today, September 10th, is World Su***de Prevention Day.

Sometimes the people who seem the strongest are carrying burdens we know nothing about. A simple conversation, a phone call, a text, or taking the time to truly listen can mean more than we realize.

This month, we encourage everyone in our community to check in on the people you care about. Ask how they’re doing—and take the time to hear the answer.

If you are struggling, please know that help is available. In the United States, you can call or text 988 to reach the Su***de & Crisis Lifeline and connect with trained crisis counselors 24 hours a day.
And if you're worried about someone in your life, don't be afraid to reach out. You don't need to have all the right words. Sometimes simply saying, “I’m here. You matter to me. How can I help?” can open an important conversation.

From all of us at Decks by Schmillen, we hope this month serves as a reminder to look out for one another, listen without judgment, and never underestimate the difference kindness and connection can make.

You matter. Your story matters. And asking for help is a sign of strength.

***dePreventionMonth ***dePrevention

Address

4010 S Peyton Highway
Colorado Springs, CO
80930

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm

Telephone

+17194406966

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