Composite decking has become the default choice for a lot of Alpharetta homeowners who want a deck that looks like wood without babysitting it every spring. We install capped composite boards from Trex, TimberTech, and Fiberon, and we build the frame underneath to hold up just as long as the decking itself does — a composite deck is only as good as what's holding it up.
If you've had a wood deck before and got tired of the annual sanding-and-staining routine, or you're planning a new build from scratch near Johns Creek or Windward, composite is worth a real look before you default to pressure-treated pine out of habit.
Capped vs. Uncapped, and Why It Actually Matters Here
Not all composite decking is built the same, and the difference shows up fast in a humid climate like North Georgia's. Capped boards wrap the wood-plastic core in a polymer shell that resists staining, fading, and moisture absorption. Uncapped composite is less expensive but its exposed core can still take on mildew discoloration and doesn't shed pollen film quite as cleanly. We install capped boards almost exclusively for that reason.
Within capped composite, Trex, TimberTech, and Fiberon each have their own tiers — entry, mid, and premium lines with different color depth and grain texture. We'll bring physical samples to your house so you can see how a color actually looks against your siding in Alpharetta daylight, not under a showroom light.
Heat Underfoot and Choosing the Right Color
One tradeoff worth knowing about upfront: composite decking, especially darker colors, can get warmer underfoot than wood on a full-sun Georgia afternoon. If your deck faces south or west and gets hammered by direct sun most of the day, we'll usually steer you toward a lighter or streaked-tone board rather than a solid dark one — it stays noticeably cooler barefoot without giving up the low-maintenance benefit that got you looking at composite in the first place.
Hidden-fastener clip systems are standard on our composite installs. Each board locks into the joist from the side with a clip instead of a screw straight through the face, so there's no visible hardware on the walking surface and no gap around a screw head for pollen and moisture to collect in over time.
Warranties, Cost, and Permits
Manufacturer warranties on capped composite decking typically run 25 to 50 years against fading, staining, and structural defects — a coverage window that simply doesn't exist for a wood deck. Most composite projects in the Alpharetta area run $10,000 to $24,000 depending on square footage, brand tier, railing style, and any stairs or lighting you add.
The permit requirement doesn't change based on decking material — any deck attached to your house or elevated more than a step in the City of Alpharetta or unincorporated Fulton County needs a permit and, in most cases, engineered plans built to Georgia's code. We handle the drawings, the filing, and every inspection so that part never lands on your plate.
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Composite & Trex Decks FAQs — Alpharetta, GA
Capped composite boards have a protective polymer shell wrapped around a wood-plastic core, which is what actually stops staining, fading, and moisture absorption. Uncapped composite is cheaper but the exposed core can still pick up mildew and discoloration over time. We install almost exclusively capped boards from brands like Trex, TimberTech, and Fiberon because they hold up so much better in a humid Georgia climate.
We work with all three regularly and can install whichever fits your budget and style. Trex and TimberTech tend to lead on color selection and warranty length, while Fiberon often comes in a bit lower on price for a similar capped-composite build. We'll show you real board samples side by side before you decide.
Well, compared to wood. Capped composite doesn't absorb moisture the way wood fibers do, so it isn't prone to the swelling, cupping, or mildew staining that humid North Georgia summers cause in untreated lumber. Spring pollen still coats every outdoor surface here, but it rinses off composite boards with a hose instead of soaking into the grain.
Darker composite boards can get noticeably warm underfoot on a full-sun July afternoon, more so than wood. If your deck gets strong afternoon exposure, we'll usually steer you toward a lighter or streaked color from the manufacturer's lineup, which stays cooler than a solid dark tone, and we'll talk through your specific site orientation before you pick a color.
Hidden fasteners are clips that secure each composite board from the side into the joist, so there are no visible screw heads on the walking surface. It gives the deck a cleaner, more finished look and removes the small gap around each screw head where water and debris would otherwise collect.
Manufacturer warranties on capped composite boards typically run 25 to 50 years against staining, fading, and structural defects, and in practice a well-built composite deck can outlast several generations of stain jobs on a comparable wood deck. The framing underneath still needs to be built right, which is where our part of the job matters as much as the decking brand.
Most composite deck projects in the Alpharetta area run from about $10,000 to $24,000, depending on square footage, decking tier, railing choice, and any stairs or lighting. Premium Trex or TimberTech lines land toward the higher end; Fiberon and entry-tier composite lines come in lower. Every estimate is itemized and free.
Yes, in nearly every case. The permit requirement is based on the structure — attachment to the house and elevation — not the decking material, so a composite deck needs the same City of Alpharetta or Fulton County permit and engineered plans that a wood deck would. We prepare the drawings, file everything, and handle every inspection.
Often, yes, if the existing joists and ledger are structurally sound. We inspect the frame first, replace anything that's soft or undersized, and then install composite decking over a frame that passes inspection. If the substructure isn't solid, we'll tell you honestly rather than build a nice deck surface on a bad foundation.
Less than wood by a wide margin, but not zero. A seasonal rinse and an occasional soap-and-water scrub handles pollen film and mildew spots. There's no sanding, staining, or sealing on your calendar, which is the main reason homeowners upgrade from wood in the first place.
Yes. Trex, TimberTech, and Fiberon all offer multi-tone color lines meant to mimic natural wood grain, and we'll bring physical samples out to your house so you can see how a color actually reads against your siding and trim in real Alpharetta daylight before you commit.
Yes, every composite deck estimate is free and comes with no obligation, anywhere in Alpharetta and the surrounding North Fulton County communities we serve. We'll measure your space in person and walk you through decking tiers and pricing before you decide anything.