Perhaps unsurprisingly, decks remain one of the top value-enhancing improvements you can make to your property. In fact, the 2025 Cost vs. Value Report by the Journal of Light Construction found that decks can deliver a 95% return on investment. Beyond the numbers, though, decks and outdoor spaces can serve as a natural extension of our living areas.
One local man is helping clients across the Triad create the outdoor space of their dreams. Zachary Grist does more than just build decks. He’s building a business rooted in instinct, ambition, and a lifelong familiarity with construction. “It’s in my blood,” he says, recalling his childhood days in Akron, Ohio, where he grew up around a family construction business. Photos from those early years show him already at work, learning the trade long before he could have imagined where it would take him.
After moving to North Carolina in 2021, Zachary launched Piedmont Decks and Outdoor Living in 2023. What began as a general contracting effort, taking on everything from siding to decks, quickly evolved into a focused specialty. “I really enjoyed outdoor spaces,” he says. Today, his young and ambitious team of 10 concentrates exclusively on creating layered, functional backyard environments, serving communities across Greensboro, Winston-Salem, and surrounding areas, with a second location and showroom now open in Mooresville.
You don’t need a clear vision for your project before contacting Piedmont Decks. In fact, Zachary says the majority of his clients come to him with little idea of what they want and that’s exactly why they reach out. He prides himself and his team on their ability to truly serve clients. “We guide people. We’re niche and educated,” Zachary says, “and we use the best products.”
The team works to help clients understand the full potential of their spaces and the range of materials available. In many ways, they act more as consultants and designers than salespeople. Piedmont Decks also follows a detailed, tailored process that aligns with each client’s budget, including a planning and design phase with 3D renderings.
What sets Piedmont Decks apart, Zachary believes, is the guidance they provide, paired with a deep specialization. They have a commitment to intentional design. Rather than offering one-off features, Piedmont Decks approaches each project as a cohesive outdoor living experience, from multi-tiered layouts to integrated lighting systems. The result is a backyard that feels less like an afterthought and more like a seamless continuation of the home.
“Outdoor spaces are extensions of our living area,” Zachary says. Too often, those spaces go underused — too hot, too dark, too buggy. Thoughtful design solves those problems. A covered roof or pergola creates relief from the heat. Screened porches make evenings more comfortable. Gas or wood-burning fireplaces extend usability into cooler months. Multi-level decks and patios carve out distinct zones for gathering, dining, or relaxing.
Ultimately, the transformation is what Zachary enjoys most. Many of his projects begin with worn, underutilized spaces. Weeks later, they’ve become places where families gather, entertain, and unwind. “We’re taking something that’s not being used and turning it into something functional,” he says. Along the way, relationships are built. “We’re in someone’s backyard for two weeks to three months. It’s more than just a job.”
Outside of work, Zachary and his fiancée enjoy exploring the Triad, whether it’s catching a minor league baseball game or heading to nearby natural escapes like Pilot Mountain and Hanging Rock State Park. It’s a fitting parallel to the work he does each day: creating spaces that invite people to step outside, slow down, and discover what’s right in front of them.
About Piedmont Decks
Since 2023, Zachary Grist has grown his company from a small, local business into a trusted name in outdoor living throughout the Triad area. Your dream outdoor space is brought to life with a three-step process:
- Consultation and design
- Planning and permitting
- Construction and completion
Each deck, porch, and outdoor living space they create is a testament to their commitment to quality and attention to detail.
How can Piedmont Decks and Outdoor Living help create the backyard retreat or entertaining space of your dreams?
Contact them today:
336-551-9351
www.piedmontdecks.com