Decks & Fences
Composite Decking in Charleston, SC
No rot, no refinishing, and two things people are not told.
No rot, no refinishing, and two things people are not told.
Quick answer: Composite decking does not rot, splinter or need yearly sanding and sealing, which is why it suits Lowcountry humidity. Two catches: it gets hotter than wood in direct sun, and it usually needs joists closer together than wood, so an existing frame may need work first. A 2021 Charleston reference put installed composite decks at $31–$33 per sq ft (HomeBlue, historical; cost guide; not our quote). Licensed SC general contractor CLG.127339. Call (843) 718-8177.
Related: Why Are My Deck Posts Rotting at the Base (and Why Did the Termite Inspector Flag It)? · New decks and patios.
It does not rot, does not splinter and does not need sanding and sealing every year, which in a place with this humidity is most of why people choose it.
The first thing people are not told is heat. Composite gets hotter underfoot in direct sun than timber does, and darker colors get hotter still. On a south-facing deck with no shade that is worth thinking about before choosing a color.
The second is joist spacing. Composite is less stiff than timber and typically needs joists closer together than a timber deck of the same span. Laying composite over framing built for timber produces a deck that feels bouncy, and the fix is under the boards.
We take this work across greater Charleston, from Summerville and Goose Creek to Mount Pleasant, West Ashley and the sea islands, and on the York County side around Rock Hill, Fort Mill, Tega Cay and Lake Wylie. More on our deck and fence services.
Hotter than timber in direct sun, and darker colors hotter still. On a shaded deck it is a non-issue; on a south-facing one with no cover it is worth factoring into the color choice.
Only if the joist spacing suits it. Composite is less stiff than timber and usually needs joists closer together — laid over framing built for timber it feels bouncy, and the remedy is under the boards rather than on top.
Maintenance reduced, not free. It does not need sanding or sealing, but it still grows mildew in this climate and still needs washing.