Upkeep
No staining or sealing. A wash once or twice a year is usually enough.
Low-upkeep decks
Composite Decking Atlanta
Skip the yearly sanding and staining. Composite boards hold their color through humid summers with far less upkeep than wood.
Call (470) 427-9259
- No yearly staining
- Hidden fastener options
- Dozens of colors
Why Homeowners Switch to Composite
Wood decks here take a beating: long, humid summers, strong sun and close to 50 inches of rain a year. That's why many homeowners stop staining and switch to composite, which doesn't need sealing and won't rot like wood.
Most of the deck builders Atlanta homeowners reach through this line build with both composite and wood, so you can compare them on the same call.
Composite isn't maintenance-free. It still needs an occasional wash to keep pollen and mildew off, and darker colors can get hot in full sun. The builder can show you lighter colors and capped boards that hold up better.
Typical material costs run about $11 to $20 per square foot for composite boards, compared with $2 to $5 for pressure-treated lumber, before labor.
How It Compares to Wood
Upfront Cost
Higher than pressure-treated wood, but you skip the cost of refinishing every few years.
Heat in Full Sun
Darker boards get hot. Lighter colors or shade help on south- and west-facing decks.
Color and Grain
Many colors and wood-grain patterns, plus picture-frame borders in a contrasting shade.
What's Underneath
The frame is still wood, so footings, joists and flashing matter just as much.
Atlanta Composite Deck Installation
Composite boards go down differently than wood. Here's what the builder will talk through:
- Joist spacing. Many composite boards need joists closer together than wood, especially for diagonal patterns.
- Fasteners. Hidden clips give a clean surface; face screws are matched to the board color.
- Gapping. Composite expands and contracts with heat, so boards are spaced to allow for it.
- Airflow. Low decks need room underneath for air to move and water to drain.
- Railing. Matching composite or aluminum rails keep the whole deck low-upkeep.
Done with staining? Ask a builder about low-maintenance boards.
Call (470) 427-9259Questions Before You Switch
Does composite get hot?
Darker colors can get hot in direct sun. Lighter colors and shade help, and the builder can show you samples.
Can composite go on my existing frame?
Only if the frame is sound and spaced correctly for the boards. On older decks, most builders recommend a new frame.
Is composite more expensive?
Yes, upfront. Composite boards typically cost about $11 to $20 per square foot versus $2 to $5 for pressure-treated wood, before labor.
Does it need any maintenance?
An occasional wash with soap and water to remove pollen, dirt and mildew.
Talk Materials With a Builder
Compare composite and wood with a builder who installs both.