Decking · Hot & humid
How a composite deck ages in New Orleans, LA
In New Orleans, sun is the main stress on a composite deck: UV ranks #9 of 25 cities we cover and there are about 106 days above 90 °F. Capped boards lighten noticeably in the first two years, then stabilize; dark colors also get hot underfoot. Model estimate: 23–29 years of service.
Storyboard
20 years in New Orleans, washed yearly
New Orleans’s wear fingerprint
Each bar is scaled to the highest of the 25 cities we cover; the black line marks the median.
NOAA station NEW ORLEANS AUDUBON (USW00012930, 6.9 km away), 1991–2020 normals · humidity & UV: NASA POWER.
What fails first here
- 1Surface mildewComposite does not rot, but pollen and dirt on shaded boards feed mildew — common in New Orleans’s damp climate. A wash in spring and fall prevents it.
- 2Heat underfootAbout 106 days a year top 90 °F; dark composite can get uncomfortably hot in full sun. Lighter colors help.
- 3Early color fadeCapped boards lighten in the first 1–2 years, then level off. Stronger here than average: UV rank #9 of 25.
- 4Gaps & fastenersBoards expand and contract with temperature; check hidden clips and end gaps every few years.
Upkeep
New Orleans maintenance calendar
Built from local normals: bar width is the share of days with rain; composite mainly needs washing.
Same city, other materials
How the alternatives age in New Orleans
Pin-ready
Save it for when you build.
The 20-year storyboard as a tall pin, linking back to this page.
Composite decks in similar climates
Houston, TX
Tampa, FL
Miami, FL
Mobile, AL
Austin, TX…and in very different ones
Denver, CO
Las Vegas, NV
Albuquerque, NMQuestions New Orleans owners ask
How long does a composite deck last in New Orleans?
Our model puts a capped composite deck at 23–29 years in New Orleans, close to typical warranty terms. The boards outlast the look: expect some early fading and surface mildew in shade.
How often should you clean a composite deck in New Orleans?
Twice a year — in spring and fall. New Orleans’s damp climate makes mildew on shaded boards the most common complaint.
Is composite worth it over cedar in New Orleans?
In New Orleans our model gives untreated cedar 10–13 years and composite 23–29. The gap is smaller where rot is slow, so upkeep preference decides.
Why does wood turn white or pale in New Orleans?
UV breaks down lignin at the surface; rain and wind wash the loose fibers away, leaving a bleached, silvery layer. It is cosmetic until checks open up.
Model simulation, not a guarantee: south-facing, full sun, no shade or ground-contact surprises. How it works.