Composite and PVC decks in Sioux Falls
Low-maintenance deck boards for homeowners who would rather spend summer weekends on the deck than refinishing it.
Composite and PVC decking replaces the wood boards on a deck with manufactured boards that don't need stain. For Sioux Falls-area homeowners tired of sanding and sealing, we connect you with an independent builder who installs these boards on a new frame or, when it's still solid, on the frame you already have.
Composite or PVC: what's the difference?
- Capped composite. A core of wood fiber and plastic with a harder plastic shell. It feels a little more like wood and is the most common choice.
- PVC (cellular vinyl). No wood fiber at all, so it's lighter and shrugs off moisture. It often costs more and can feel slicker or warmer in direct sun, depending on the product and color.
Both still sit on a treated wood frame in most homes, so the footings, ledger and joists matter as much as with a wood deck.
Signs composite makes sense for you
- You're refinishing the deck every year or two
- The deck faces south or west and boards keep checking and splintering
- You want a deck you can hose off instead of sanding
- Kids or pets go barefoot on it all summer
- You plan to stay in the house long enough to come out ahead on the cost
Can new boards go on my old frame?
Sometimes. Composite manufacturers usually require closer joist spacing than many older wood decks have, especially for boards laid at an angle. The builder should check the ledger connection, the joists and the footings first. Re-decking a frame that's near the end of its life means paying again in a few years to tear everything off. If the frame is mostly good, it can often be reinforced or have a few joists added.
How do Sioux Falls winters treat composite?
Composite and PVC don't absorb water the way wood does, so freeze-thaw cycles don't split them. They do expand and contract with temperature, and Sioux Falls has seen 110°F in summer and −42°F in winter. Installers leave gaps at board ends and follow the manufacturer's spacing for the temperature on install day. Ask about shoveling too: most makers allow a plastic shovel, and some limit which ice melt products you can use.
What drives the cost?
- The board line and color, and whether you want hidden fasteners
- Picture-frame borders, inlays or angled patterns
- Whether the frame is new, reinforced or reused
- Railing style, which can add as much as the boards themselves
Prices come from the builder after a site visit. Ask to see full-size samples in daylight before you choose a color.
Towns we cover
Common questions
Does composite decking get hot in the sun?
It can, especially darker colors on a south- or west-facing deck in July. Lighter colors and some newer board formulas stay cooler. Ask to see samples that have sat in the sun.
How long does composite decking last?
Manufacturers often warranty boards against fading and staining for many years. The frame underneath is usually treated wood, so its condition matters just as much.
Can I shovel snow off a composite deck?
Most manufacturers allow a plastic shovel. Check your board maker’s care guide for which ice melt products are allowed.
Related services
More background: Sioux Falls deck permit and footing guide.
Planning a deck, or worried about the one out back?
Call and we will connect you with an independent builder who works in the Sioux Falls area.