Decking · 25 cities

How a composite deck ages across the US

Same material, different weather. In our model, a composite deck lasts 22–28 years in Phoenix, AZ and 25–33 years in Buffalo, NY; the national typical range is 25–30 yrs.

Simulated composite deck in Seattle, WA after 10 years
Year 10Slight early fade
MODEL SIMULATION
Seattle, WA · capped composite boards, south-facing, full sun
Color lossModerate
Surface wearMinimal
Mildew / rotModerate
Fails first hereShaded boards (surface mildew)

Every city

Expected life by city

Sorted shortest-lived first. Capped composite, washed yearly.

CityYear 10Expected lifeMain threatClimate profileDecay index
Phoenix, AZ22–28 yrsSun & UVHot & dry7.2
Las Vegas, NV22–29 yrsSun & UVHot & dry0.4
Albuquerque, NM22–29 yrsSun & UVDry & sunny22.2
Austin, TX22–29 yrsSun & UVMixed53.9
Miami, FL22–29 yrsSun & UVHot & humid155.8
Tampa, FL22–29 yrsSun & UVHot & humid103.6
New Orleans, LA23–29 yrsSun & UVHot & humid100.9
Los Angeles, CA23–30 yrsSun & UVHot & dry8.5
Denver, CO23–30 yrsSun & UVCold, hard freeze–thaw34.2
Salt Lake City, UT23–30 yrsSun & UVCold, hard freeze–thaw23.3
Dallas, TX23–30 yrsSun & UVMixed47.4
Houston, TX23–30 yrsSun & UVHot & humid84.5
Mobile, AL23–30 yrsMoisture & decayHot & humid110.2
San Francisco, CA24–31 yrsSun & UVCool & damp26.7
San Diego, CA24–31 yrsSun & UVHot & dry12
Atlanta, GA24–31 yrsMoisture & decayMixed79.5
Charleston, SC24–31 yrsSun & UVHot & humid73.7
Nashville, TN24–31 yrsMoisture & decayMixed70.7
Portland, OR25–32 yrsMoisture & decayCool & damp56.6
Chicago, IL25–32 yrsMoisture & decayMixed55.3
Minneapolis, MN25–32 yrsMoisture & decayMixed47.2
New York, NY25–32 yrsMoisture & decayCool & damp59.5
Boston, MA25–32 yrsMoisture & decayMixed48.3
Seattle, WA25–33 yrsMoisture & decayCool & damp52.6
Buffalo, NY25–33 yrsMoisture & decayMixed52.8

Model estimates from 1991–2020 climate normals. Methodology.

Other materials

Cedar deck →Wood fence →