Composite decking is the fastest-growing material choice we see quoted in the Jonesboro area, and the reason isn't cosmetic. It's upkeep. A pressure-treated or cedar deck needs restaining every two to three years to hold up, and Jonesboro's humid summers and heavy seasonal rain put real strain on any finish sitting on exposed wood. Composite trades a higher material cost for skipping that maintenance cycle almost entirely.
What composite actually is
Composite decking (Trex, TimberTech, Fiberon, AZEK are the brands we install most) is a manufactured board, typically a blend of wood fibers and recycled plastic, capped with a protective outer layer on most current product lines. It's not solid plastic and it's not treated wood, it behaves differently from both: no splintering, no staining, but it does expand and contract with temperature more than lumber, which changes how gapping and fastening get handled at install.
Why it's a genuinely different fit for this climate
Jonesboro sits in a humid subtropical climate with hot, humid summers. That combination is exactly where wood decking's maintenance burden shows up hardest, mildew and mold on a shaded deck surface, finish breakdown from UV and moisture cycling, and for ground-contact framing members, the kind of sustained moisture exposure that matters in a state Orkin rates as moderate-to-heavy termite pressure (TIP Zone 2), with Jonesboro specifically named among affected Arkansas cities. Composite decking doesn't solve the framing underneath, joists and posts are still typically pressure-treated lumber or need to be, but the walking surface itself stops being a yearly maintenance item.
Cost
Composite installs run $35-70 per square foot, and often higher for premium lines on a full-service job, versus $25-50 for pressure-treated. The 2025 Cost vs Value report puts a typical composite deck addition project at roughly $25,096 nationally, recouping about 88.5% of that cost at resale, real money back, just a smaller percentage return than wood's 94.9% because the upfront cost is higher. Full comparison on our cost guide page.
What doesn't change with composite
Footings, posts, beams, and ledger attachment follow the same code requirements regardless of decking material, composite is a surface product, not a structural one. Guardrail and stair requirements are identical too. If anything, the fastener spec matters more with composite, hidden-fastener clip systems are common and need to match what the specific board manufacturer requires to keep the warranty valid.
Capping and warranty, brand by brand
Not all composite boards are built the same way underneath the surface. Trex wraps its boards in a 3-sided cap, top and sides protected, bottom left open so trapped moisture can escape. TimberTech typically uses a 4-sided cap, sealing the board completely for extra moisture protection, a real difference worth asking about given how much rain Jonesboro sees in a typical year. Warranty length varies by product line: Trex's fade-and-stain warranty runs 25 years on its capped composite lines, TimberTech's runs 30 years on capped composite and up to 50 years on its premium AZEK line. Read what's actually excluded before assuming full coverage, most composite warranties cover structural defects and fading past a defined threshold, but commonly exclude labor to remove and replace failed boards, damage to cut ends and undersides, and any installation that deviates from the manufacturer's published fastening pattern.
Color and heat
Darker composite boards run noticeably hotter underfoot in direct summer sun than lighter colors or real wood, worth factoring in for a deck that gets afternoon sun and sees a lot of bare feet. Newer product lines from most manufacturers include heat-mitigating color technology, ask specifically if that matters for your project rather than assuming every composite board performs the same.
Structural framing follows the same process regardless of decking material, see our new deck construction page for the full footing-to-guardrail breakdown, or cedar decking if you're still weighing a natural-wood option.
FAQ
Does composite decking get hot to walk on barefoot in summer?
Yes, more than lighter-colored wood, dark composite boards absorb more heat. Lighter color options and boards with newer heat-reflective technology reduce this, worth asking about specifically if you plan to walk on it barefoot through a Jonesboro summer.
Is composite actually maintenance-free?
Not entirely, it still needs occasional washing to prevent mildew buildup on a shaded or low-airflow deck, which is a real factor in this humidity. It just doesn't need staining, sealing, or sanding the way wood does.
Can composite decking be installed over an existing deck frame?
Sometimes, if the existing frame passes inspection and meets current span tables for the new decking's weight and fastening pattern. That has to be checked case by case, not assumed.
Get a Free Quote
Get a Free Quote