Why composite
No staining, splinters, or rot — composite and PVC decks suit busy homeowners who want low upkeep.
- Capped composite resists fading
- PVC handles moisture and mold
- Higher upfront than pressure-treated wood
Installation details
Hidden clip systems leave clean surfaces. Proper joist spacing and ventilation prevent sagging.
- Follow manufacturer span charts
- Picture framing and breaker boards
- Allow for thermal expansion gaps
Warranties
Stain and fade warranties vary 25–50 years. Registration may be required.
- Transferable stain/fade coverage helps at resale
- Labor warranties are often much shorter than the board warranty
- Register the product; unregistered fade coverage is frequently weaker
Capped composite versus PVC in real weather
Capped boards resist stain better than old-school uncapped composite. They still get hot in full sun and can show melt marks from grills. PVC is lighter, often cooler, and better at the coast, but can look glossier and needs careful fastening in heat.
- Put sample boards on your actual deck location for a week
- Ask about approved joist spacing at a 45-degree board layout — it is often tighter
- Dark colors fade and heat more; that is physics, not a defect you can warranty away
The structure under the pretty boards
Composite does not make a rotten ledger legal. Inspect posts, joist hangers, and flashing to the house. Many “deck refreshes” should be structural repairs first. Picture-frame borders need extra blocking the old wood deck never had.
- Follow the brand’s blocking diagram for picture frames
- Ventilation under a low deck matters for the joists even if the boards will not rot
- Register the warranty; unregistered fade coverage is often weaker