April 2025 – Evergreen Decks LLC

The Pros and Cons of Choosing Composite Materials for Decks

When it comes to building or upgrading a deck in the Triangle area, one of the most important decisions homeowners face is the choice of material. Composite decking has become very popular over the years as an alternative to traditional wood. But is it the right choice for your outdoor space? Here are some pros and cons of choosing composite materials for decks.

Pros of Composite Decking

Low Maintenance
A significant advantage of composite decking is its low maintenance requirements. Unlike wood, composite boards don’t need staining, sealing, or sanding. Occasional cleaning with soap and water is usually enough to keep it looking great year-round.
Durability
Composite materials resist fading, warping, splintering, and insect damage. Many high-quality composite decking products come with a 25-year or more warranty, making them a long-term investment for your home.
Eco-Friendly
Many composite decking boards are made using recycled materials, such as plastic and reclaimed wood. This makes composite decking a more environmentally conscious choice than traditional hardwood options.
Aesthetic Versatility
Composite decking is available in various colors, textures, and styles that mimic the natural look of wood. Whether you prefer a rustic look or a contemporary finish, there’s likely a composite option that suits your taste.
Safety Features
Composite decking is often slip-resistant and splinter-free, making it a safer surface for families with children and pets.

Cons of Composite Decking

Higher Initial Cost
One of the biggest drawbacks of composite materials is the upfront cost. Generally, composite decking is more expensive than pressure-treated wood, which may be a deciding factor for homeowners with a lower budget.
Heat Retention
Composite decks can become quite hot under direct sunlight, making it uncomfortable to walk barefoot during summer. Some brands offer heat-resistant options & lighter colors are generally less of an issue. This is something to consider however based on the Triangle area climate, and how you plan to use your deck.
Surface Scratching
While composite decks are very durable, they are not entirely immune to scratches and scuffs. Heavy furniture or dragged objects, especially with lower-grade products, may leave marks on the surface.
Limited Repair Options
Wood allows for sanding and refinishing, whereas a damaged composite board must often be replaced entirely. We have not had this experience with a customer (or with our own decks) yet, but this is something to keep in mind.
Synthetic Appearance (in some cases)
Although composite decking has made great strides in mimicking real wood, some products still have a synthetic look and feel that some people do not like.

Is Composite Decking Right for You?

Choosing composite materials for your deck depends on your priorities. Composite decking could be ideal if you’re looking for a low-maintenance, durable, and eco-friendly option. However, if cost and natural aesthetics are more important, you may prefer traditional wood.

When deciding, consider the Raleigh area climate, your lifestyle, and your long-term goals. Composite decking offers many benefits, but weighing both the pros and cons is essential to determine what works best for your home and budget.

If you want a quote for a project, click here for a no-strings-attached estimate or email me at evergreendecksllc@gmail.com

Landscaping Tips for Underneath Your Deck

Once you have your new or improved deck, you may be contemplating how to beautify or maximize the space beneath. We have seen many of our customers transform this shady, empty space into a functional area. Here are some of the best ideas we’ve seen.

Storage Space

Do you have garden tools, outdoor furniture, or bicycles that need to be protected from the elements? Weatherproof storage bins, shelving units, or pegboards are great additions to the space below your deck for organizing items that need a safe outdoor home. Some customers with taller decks have even invested in custom-built storage sheds to house larger items.

Enclosing an under-deck storage area with skirting or lattice can enhance the aesthetics of your deck and offer additional protection for your belongings.

With any of these options, easy accessibility is important. Be sure to think through the location and openings of any storage solutions before making a purchase.

Plants

Depending on your soil and lighting, shade-tolerant plants can be a beautiful addition to the space surrounding or underneath your deck. Hostas, astilbes, and ferns do well in shaded areas. Creeping Jenny or other attractive ground covers are another excellent option since they can handle shadier areas and will continue to spread into a carpet of warm-weather greenery over time.

For a low-maintenance option, consider rock, gravel, or mulch. Potted plants along the edges would allow you to move things around on the covered area as you discover where the best sunlight is for each plant.

If you like lawn ornaments or statues, a few well-placed favorites would look nice peeking into the yard from among the plants.

Lighting

This is one of our favorites for a low-maintenance, beautiful addition to any deck. LED recessed lights can be added on the deck ceiling for a soft glow to enjoy from the yard on warm summer evenings. For a simpler option, hang string lights along the posts or along the edges of the deck. Solar lights along the outside are also an easy, eco-friendly addition to the outside of the deck. Just be sure to install them in locations that get enough sunlight.

Conclusion

Putting some thought into the aesthetic appeal of the area under your deck not only enhances the usability of the space, but it also adds value to your investment.

Here at Evergreen Decks LLC, we are more than happy to help you implement some of these ideas to enjoy your outdoor living space to the fullest.

If you want a quote for a project, click here for a no-strings-attached estimate or email me at evergreendecksllc@gmail.com.

Choosing the Right Stain for Your Deck or Fence

Your selection of a stain should reflect both your aesthetic vision and protect your deck or fence.

After constructing our backyard fence in 2021, we understood that the next task was to select the proper stain. Our excitement about selecting a color that matched our outdoor vision was matched by our concerns about protecting our investment properly.

Our customers work to strike this same balance, so we’ve created this guide to assist you in selecting the right stain option for your wood type and maintenance objectives while achieving your preferred style.

Wood Types

Selecting the right wood for your project impacts the absorption of stain, which is why it should be your first consideration.

Cedar and Redwood: Semi-transparent stains are ideal for showing off the natural grain of these types of wood.
Pressure-Treated Lumber: Pressure-treated wood projects typically require a few months to dry out after installation. The time frame varies significantly in the Triangle area depending on the current climate and season. This type of deck can handle any of the stains listed below.

Opacity

The opacity of your stain will affect how much of the natural wood still shows through. The age of your deck or fence, as well as your maintenance goals, should affect your choice. Transparent and semi-transparent stains are absorbed into the wood to prevent water intrusion. Semi-solid and solid stains act like a protective shell on top of the wood. It’s important to note that once you’ve covered your deck or fence with a solid stain, it’s challenging and time-consuming to revert to a transparent or semi-transparent stain.

Transparent: You can expect lighter protection with clear coverage. However, the appeal of this option is that it fully highlights the natural grain. Transparent stains have the shortest protection lifespan.
Semi-Transparent: This is a popular choice for newly built fences or decks. The fresh, previously unstained surface can show off its wood texture while offering some color and more protection than a fully transparent stain.
Semi-Solid: Since a semi-solid stain is a stronger color option, it hides more imperfections and the wood grain. This is a great choice for aging wood.
Solid: Now we’ve moved on to full coverage stain. Solid stain is the best option for older decks and fences that have started to break down and/or require sanding and repairs. The grain does not show, but as it ages, your deck will benefit from maximum UV protection and coverage of imperfections. Solid stain fills cracks and crevices that would otherwise allow water to enter and contribute to rot.

Choose a Stain that Complements Your Surroundings

Your choice of stain can and should fit how you want your outdoor living space to look. Consider your current or future goals for your home’s exterior and landscaping. Here are some examples of how different shades may affect the vibe of your yard:

Warm tones: (cedar, redwood) – Traditional and cozy
Cool tones: (gray, slate) – Sleek and modern
Neutral tones: (taupe, driftwood) – Versatile, beachy, timeless

Think Long Term: Durability and Maintenance

The stain you choose should strike a balance between the look you want and the frequency of maintenance. Most of our customers prefer enjoying a stain that shows off the wood grain for the first few years after a new build.

Transparent and semi-transparent stains: Recoat approximately every 1-3 years.
Semi-solid and solid stains: Last 3-5 years or more.

These time frames will vary depending on sun and rain exposure, as well as leaf accumulation. Remember to sweep your deck regularly.

Final Thoughts

If you’re unsure of the type and shade of stain you’d like for your project, we are well-equipped to help you decide. We have a great working relationship with local businesses, including a custom stain company here in Raleigh for customers who want to match a specific color. We’d be happy to share pictures of the decks we’ve stained and offer suggestions based on your needs and preferences.