Composite and low-maintenance decking in Rochester
For Rochester-area homeowners who are done with power washing and staining every other summer.
Low-maintenance decking means boards made from composite, PVC or aluminum that don't need sealing. If you're in Rochester or a nearby town and want to put these on a new deck or resurface an existing one, we connect you with an independent contractor who installs them.
What are the main choices?
| Material | What it is | Worth knowing |
|---|---|---|
| Capped composite | Wood fiber and plastic with a tougher outer shell | Most common; looks and feels closest to wood |
| PVC | All-plastic cellular board | Light and moisture-proof; usually priced higher |
| Aluminum | Metal deck planks | Won't rot or burn; a different look and sound underfoot |
Is it worth it in Minnesota?
Rochester gets roughly 35 inches of precipitation and more than 50 inches of snow in an average year, and its January mean temperature is under 15°F. Wood decks here take on water, freeze, thaw and dry again many times a year, which is hard on stain and opens up checks in the boards. Composite and PVC don't soak up water the same way, so freeze-thaw doesn't split them. They do still move with temperature, so installers gap board ends according to the maker's chart.
Can my current deck be resurfaced?
Only if the structure is in good shape and set up for the new boards. Things to check first:
- Joist spacing: many composite boards call for joists closer together than older wood decks used, especially for diagonal patterns
- The ledger: is it bolted, flashed and free of rot?
- Footings: do they reach the 42-inch frost depth, or are posts on shallow pads that heave?
- Joist tops: crowned or twisted joists telegraph through new boards
If the frame is mostly sound, adding joists or blocking is common. If the ledger or footings are failing, a rebuild is usually the better use of money. See deck repair and rebuilding.
Winter care
Shoveling a composite deck is usually fine with a plastic blade. Many manufacturers list which ice melt products their boards tolerate, and some warn against certain products. Read the care guide for your board line before the first snowfall.
What changes the cost?
- Board line and color
- Hidden fasteners versus face screws
- Borders, inlays and angled layouts
- New framing versus reinforcing the old frame
- Matching railing systems
Where we connect homeowners
Common questions
Does composite decking need a different frame?
Often the joists need to be closer together than on an older wood deck, particularly for boards laid on an angle. The board manufacturer sets the spacing.
Will composite boards crack in a Minnesota winter?
Composite and PVC do not absorb water the way wood does, so freezing is less of a problem. They still expand and contract, so installers leave gaps per the manufacturer.
Does resurfacing a deck need a permit in Rochester?
Ask the city before you start. Structural work generally needs a permit; a straight board swap may not. The builder can check with Building Safety.
Related services
More background: Rochester deck guide.
Ready to plan a deck before the frost comes out?
Call and we will connect you with an independent deck contractor who works in the Rochester area.