Composite decking · Atlanta, Georgia
Get a finished deck without the yearly staining. We build composite and PVC decks on framing sized and spaced for the boards you choose, installed the way the manufacturer requires.
Less upkeep, same structure
Composite decking is a surface product. The boards you walk on are made from a blend of wood fiber and plastic, or from PVC with no wood at all, and most current lines wrap the core in a protective cap that resists stains and fading. Under those boards, the frame is still pressure-treated lumber: posts, beams, joists, and a ledger at the house. A composite deck needs the same structural care as a wood one.
What changes is the upkeep. There is no sanding, staining, or sealing. An occasional wash with soap and water handles pollen, leaves, and the mildew film that shaded Atlanta yards tend to grow. In exchange, the boards cost more up front, expand and contract along their length as the temperature changes, and can run hot under bare feet in full afternoon sun, especially in darker colors.
We help you weigh that trade plainly. If your deck sits in deep shade under hardwoods, low maintenance may matter most. If it faces west with no cover, color and board type matter more than brand. As local deck contractors, we build in both wood and composite, so the recommendation follows your yard.
Built for the product
Composite flexes more than lumber. Most manufacturers call for joists no more than 16 inches apart on straight runs, closer for diagonal layouts, and closer stringer spacing on stairs. We frame to the installation guide for the line you pick.
Boards grow and shrink with temperature. We set end and side gaps for the conditions on install day, and use breaker boards or picture-frame borders to control where seams fall on long runs.
Grooved boards take hidden clips for a clean surface with no visible screw heads. Square-edge boards, borders, and stair treads get color-matched screws or plugs.
Many composite lines carry warranties of 25 years or longer, so the lumber under them has to last too. We use posts rated for ground contact, corrosion-resistant hardware, proper ledger flashing, and joist tape where water would otherwise sit.
Low decks need ventilation so moisture does not stay trapped under the boards. We check the minimum clearance to grade for your product and leave open paths for air where the layout allows.
Fascia, risers, and railing are chosen to work with the decking color so the deck reads as one piece, with fascia fastened to allow for movement.
Choosing boards
Brand matters less than the tier within a brand. Most manufacturers sell a good, better, and best line, and the differences show up in the cap, the color blending, and the warranty.
Things worth comparing when you look at samples:
Bring home full-length sample boards if you can. Leave them outside for a few sunny days and walk on them barefoot before you choose.
Planning your budget
Composite adds cost in the boards themselves and often in the framing, because closer joist spacing uses more lumber. Most deck builds in Atlanta fall between about $6,000 and $25,000+, and composite projects usually land in the middle or upper part of that range for the same footprint.
The price moves most with square footage, height off the ground, railing length and type, stair count, and the product line you choose. Resurfacing an existing frame with composite costs less than a full rebuild, but only if the frame passes inspection and its joist spacing suits the new boards. The exact cost is confirmed after a site visit and a written scope.
Step by step
We measure, check sun exposure and clearance to grade, look at the existing frame if there is one, and go through board samples with you.
You get the footprint, framing plan, product line and color, fastener type, railing, and stairs in writing, with anything optional priced separately.
We set footings and build the frame flat and square to the spacing the decking requires. Any permit inspections are scheduled around this stage.
Boards go down with consistent gaps and planned seams, followed by fascia, stairs, and railing.
We walk the deck with you, cover cleaning and what not to use on the surface, and hand over the product and warranty information.
Resurface the old frame or start over? We check the framing first.
Call (470) 279-4199Common questions
Sometimes. The frame has to be sound, flat, and spaced for composite, which usually means joists no more than 16 inches apart. We check the ledger, joist ends, beams, and posts first. If the frame is older or has rot at the connections, new boards would outlast what is holding them up, and a rebuild is the better use of the money.
It can. Any decking gets hot in direct summer sun, and dark composite gets hotter than light composite or most wood. If the deck faces south or west with no shade, choose a lighter color and plan for shade from an umbrella or a covered section.
Sweep it, then wash with soap, water, and a soft brush a couple of times a year. In shaded Atlanta yards, pollen and leaf debris feed mildew on the surface, so spring and fall cleanings matter. Avoid pressure washing at close range, which can damage the cap, and follow the care guide for your product.
It depends on how long you plan to stay and how much upkeep you will actually do. Wood costs less to build and needs cleaning and re-staining every few years. Composite costs more on day one and far less in time and materials after that.
The permit depends on the structure, not the surface. A new or rebuilt deck that is attached to the house or raised off the ground typically needs a permit and inspections. Replacing boards alone on a sound frame is usually treated as maintenance, but confirm with the building office for your address before work starts.
Service area
We take on this work throughout Atlanta and in nearby cities, including Sandy Springs, Brookhaven, Dunwoody, Vinings, and Marietta.
Start with samples
Tell us where the deck will sit, how much sun it gets, and how you want to use it. We will bring samples, check the site, and give you a written scope with clear product choices.
