Composite Deck Building in Aurora, CO

Composite deck building is a common next step for Aurora homeowners who have owned a wood deck through a few summers. At over 5,400 feet the sun is noticeably stronger than at sea level, and a stained pine deck can look tired within a couple of seasons. Capped composite boards carry a protective outer shell that resists fading and staining, so the job after the build is mostly sweeping and an occasional wash.

Capped composite, uncapped composite and PVC

Not all composite is the same product. First-generation uncapped boards mix sawdust and recycled plastic with nothing over the top, so spills and mildew can soak in. Capped boards add a hard polymer skin over that core on three or four faces. PVC skips the wood content entirely, weighs less, and usually sits at the top of the price list. Forbes Home lists rough per-square-foot ranges of $20 to $40 per square foot for uncapped, $30 to $60 for capped and $40 to $70 for PVC. Physical samples come to the estimate so you can compare color, texture and grain before choosing.

Heat, color and the high-altitude sun

Darker composite boards can get hot underfoot on a July afternoon, and Aurora averages highs near 89 degrees that month. Lighter colors and a pergola or partial cover help. If your deck faces the afternoon sun, we can point you toward the shades that stay cooler underfoot.

The framing still matters

The boards are only the skin; the joists and beams beneath them do the structural work. Aurora's engineering design criteria call for a 34 psf ground snow load and 36-inch frost depth, and the city's handbook lists a 40 psf deck load. Many composite products also call for closer joist spacing than wood decking, commonly 12 or 16 inches apart, with angled layouts needing even less. We design the joists, beams, posts and footings to the decking maker's instructions and the city's loads, then use the fastening system the manufacturer specifies so the board warranty stays valid.

What composite does not fix

Composite is not hail-proof. A big storm can scuff or dent boards, and an insurance adjuster will judge the damage the same way they would on any other surface. Composite also expands and contracts with temperature, so gapping at ends and edges has to follow the manufacturer's chart for the temperature on install day. We follow those charts instead of guessing.

Manufacturer warranties, explained

Most major composite brands offer long limited residential warranties on their boards. As one example, Trex's warranty page lists limited residential coverage of 25 to 50 years on its decking and railing, varying by line. These are the manufacturer's terms, not ours, and coverage typically depends on the boards being installed the way the brand specifies. We give you the product line and warranty paperwork with your quote so you can read the actual terms.

HOA and permit steps

Many Aurora subdivisions require architectural approval for decks, including board color and railing style. We put together the drawings, product names and color samples your HOA asks for, and prepare the City of Aurora permit package for any attached deck or one standing over 30 inches tall.