Composite Decking in Massachusetts & Connecticut
Most of the decks we build are composite, from Trex, Azek, Fiberon and Deckorators, on a pressure-treated frame. No staining, no splinters, and the estimate's free and done at your house.
Most of the decks we quote are composite. On most lines the boards are a blend of wood fiber and plastic under a hard protective cap, so they don't need staining, won't splinter and hold their color far longer than wood does. Underneath, the frame is still pressure-treated lumber, with the joists spaced the way the boards require. Sustainable Decks installs Trex, Azek, Fiberon and Deckorators, usually finished with white vinyl railings and PVC trim, and the brand and color you choose are written into the quote.
What you choose on a composite deck
- Brand and line
- Trex, Azek, Fiberon or Deckorators, each with a few board lines from basic to premium.
- Color
- Lighter colors stay cooler in direct sun, which matters on a deck with no shade.
- Border
- A picture-frame border around the edge of the deck, often in a second color.
- Railings
- White vinyl with white or black balusters, or a cocktail rail wide enough to set a drink on.
- Stairs
- Composite treads, often with white PVC risers to match the railings.
- Lighting
- In-lite post and step lights, wired in while the deck is being built.
Get Your Free Estimate
Prefer to talk it through? Call (617) 913-4042.
How composite compares with PVC and wood
| Compare | Composite | PVC | Pressure-treated | Cedar |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Made of | Wood fiber and plastic under a protective cap, on most lines | Fully synthetic, with no wood fiber | Treated pine | Natural softwood |
| Upkeep | Washing, with no staining or sealing | Washing, with no staining or sealing | Sealing or staining every couple of years | Staining or sealing to keep its color |
| Over time | Holds its color for years | Won't absorb water, so it handles damp well | Grays and checks if left unfinished | Weathers to silver if left alone |
| Best for | Most decks, in sun or partial shade | Shaded, damp or waterfront yards | The lowest cost up front | A real wood look and feel |
- Made of
- Wood fiber and plastic under a protective cap, on most lines
- Upkeep
- Washing, with no staining or sealing
- Over time
- Holds its color for years
- Best for
- Most decks, in sun or partial shade
- Made of
- Fully synthetic, with no wood fiber
- Upkeep
- Washing, with no staining or sealing
- Over time
- Won't absorb water, so it handles damp well
- Best for
- Shaded, damp or waterfront yards
- Made of
- Treated pine
- Upkeep
- Sealing or staining every couple of years
- Over time
- Grays and checks if left unfinished
- Best for
- The lowest cost up front
- Made of
- Natural softwood
- Upkeep
- Staining or sealing to keep its color
- Over time
- Weathers to silver if left alone
- Best for
- A real wood look and feel
Composite brands and colors we install
We install Trex, Azek, Fiberon and Deckorators, and each makes its boards in a range of grays, browns and wood tones. Whichever you pick goes into your quote by name, so the boards that arrive are the ones you chose. These are a few from our recent quotes.
- Tide PoolTrex Enhanced
- MochaTimberTech
- Island MistLight gray
The details that make a composite deck look finished
Most of them are at the edges. A picture-frame border runs boards around the perimeter, often in a second color, and covers the cut ends of the boards inside it. A diagonal or inlaid section needs joists 12 inches apart instead of 16, and a border needs extra blocking to fasten to, so both get built into the frame before any boards go down. On the stairs, composite treads with white PVC risers tie in with white railings, and In-lite lights can go into the posts and steps.
Can composite go on my existing deck frame?
Often, yes. If the joists are sound and close enough together, we take the old boards off and reface the deck in composite without rebuilding the frame. A frame built wider than the boards allow gets extra joists first, and one that's failing means a replacement instead.
Deck repair and resurfacingComposite decks, built by our own crew
We're locally owned, with our own crew, and we work out of our offices in Braintree, Wellesley and Middletown, CT.
- TrexPro® Platinum Installer
- TimberTech Gold
- 5.0 Google rating
- 1000+ projects completed
- Licensed and insured
- Locally owned and operated
- Affordable pricing
- Financing available
- Free on-site estimates
What customers say on Google
Sustainable Decks did a great job replacing our rotting old deck with a bigger, beautiful Trex deck. The guys who did the work did a great job, and on schedule. Ben was great to work with on coordinating everything and working with us to design an improved layout.
Excellent experience from start to finish! The team was professional, on time, and did an amazing job building our deck. The craftsmanship is top-notch, and everything turned out even better than we expected. I highly recommend them to anyone looking for quality work and great customer service!
We recently had our deck rebuilt and couldn’t be happier with the results. The team was professional, punctual, and paid attention to every detail from start to finish. The quality of the workmanship is outstanding, and the finished deck looks absolutely amazing. They kept the work area clean, communicated clearly throughout the project, and completed everything on time. I highly recommend this decking company to anyone looking for top-quality work and excellent customer service. Five stars all the way!
Amazing work. Ben's been great to work with on our new deck and it turned out better than my wife and I hoped. We can't wait to move into our new space and start enjoying a bug free outdoor space! If you're thinking about building a screened in porch these guys are great!
We had Sustainable Decks replace our old dilapidated deck and add an extension so it encompassed the entire back of our house. We could not be more IMPRESSED with their work. Ben was hands on from the initial estimate to the completion and walk through. Nick and Chucky were the guys that did all the work and it looks amazing. Also we thought their pricing was incredible. We had several estimates and they came through with the best price and the craftsmanship is awesome. I will be including before and after photos. If you want to get a deck replacement or add a new one THESE ARE THE GUYS TO CALL. Thanks Ben and crew for taking such good care of us and our property. They finished in the time frame promised and their attention to detail is awesome. We will definitely be using them to put a farmers porch on the front of our house next year. You will not be disappointed when you have these guys do work for you.
Questions people ask about composite decking
Is composite worth it over pressure-treated wood?
It costs more up front and much less to keep up. Pressure-treated wood needs sealing or staining every couple of years to stay protected, while composite needs washing. Over the life of a deck, that upkeep is usually what decides it.
Does composite decking get hot?
It can, especially darker colors in full summer sun. Lighter colors stay noticeably cooler, so color is worth thinking about on a deck that faces south or has no shade.
Will the color fade?
Capped composite holds its color far better than wood, and each manufacturer backs its boards against fading and staining with its own warranty. The terms vary by brand and line, so we'll point you to the one for the boards you choose.
How do you clean composite decking?
Warm soapy water and a soft brush handle most of it. Some brands allow a pressure washer at low pressure and others don't, so check your board's care guide before using one.
Can I shovel snow off a composite deck?
Yes, with a plastic shovel, since a metal edge can scratch the boards. Most brands also allow calcium chloride ice melt, but it's worth checking your board's care guide first.
Does composite scratch?
The cap stands up to everyday wear, but dragging furniture or a grill across it can still leave a mark. Felt pads under furniture and a mat under the grill prevent most of it.
Let's pick your composite
Tell us about the deck you have in mind and the colors you like, and we'll come out for a free on-site estimate.