Composite Decking in Macomb Township, MI
Capped composite installs and re-decking over sound frames, from Waldenburg to Macomb Corners. Boards gapped to their actual temperature, one fastening system, joist tape on the frame, township inspections handled. Call (586) 334-6488 for a no-obligation quote.
What makes a composite install last in Michigan?
Composite fails from installation, not from the boards. The material expands and contracts with temperature, so the install is a gapping and fastening discipline. Here is what that discipline looks like on our jobs.
One fastening system
We pick hidden clips or approved composite screws and run the whole deck on it. Mixed systems mean uneven, creeping boards.
Board-temp gapping
Gaps get set off the board's surface temperature, not the forecast. A hot board is already at full stretch.
Frame checked first
A brand-new surface over a tired frame is the classic mistake. We probe every existing frame before boards go down.
Joist tape standard
Every re-deck gets tape on the joist tops. The framing is the expensive half of a deck, so we seal it.
Instructions on site
Manufacturer install sheets stay on the job, right next to the approved plans the township already requires for inspections.
No stain cycle
Capped boards skip the May-September staining scramble that wood needs in Michigan's short dry windows.
Composite specs at a glance
| Spec | What we install to |
|---|---|
| Side gap between boards | 1/8 to 3/16 in, set by board surface temperature |
| Gap at structures | 3/16 in minimum at the house, posts, and rail posts |
| Joist spacing | 16 in on center; 12 in for diagonal layouts |
| Fasteners | Hidden clips or approved composite screws, one system per deck, never mixed |
| Substructure protection | Joist tape on joist, beam, and ledger tops |
| Code recognition | ASTM D7032 boards; ask for the ICC-ES evaluation report |
| New footings | 42 in below grade on undisturbed soil, township-inspected before concrete |
Why does composite need different gapping in Macomb Township?
Because composite moves the opposite way from wood. Wet pressure-treated lumber shrinks, so it goes down nearly tight; composite expands as it heats, so boards need 1/8 to 3/16 inch side gaps and at least 3/16 inch wherever a board meets the house or a post. On a July afternoon in Sheffield Forest we read the board's surface temperature, not the forecast, because a hot board is already stretched. Get the gaps wrong and the manufacturer's instructions, which govern the warranty, are out the window. We handle full composite installs and re-decking over sound existing frames anywhere in Macomb Township. Capped boards also drop the stain cycle Michigan's short May-September dry window makes painful.
- ✓ Side gaps set at 1/8 to 3/16 inch off the board's surface temperature
- ✓ Minimum 3/16 inch gap where boards meet the house or posts
- ✓ One fastening system per deck: hidden clips or approved composite screws
- ✓ Joist tape on joist, beam, and ledger tops before decking
- ✓ Existing frames probe-tested with an awl before any re-deck
- ✓ Manufacturer install instructions followed line by line, on site
The numbers a composite install lives by
What happens between your call and the final inspection?
Most composite jobs in Macomb Township are either a full new build or a re-deck over an existing frame. Same discipline either way. Four steps from first call to final inspection.
Site visit and frame check
We measure, look at the ledger and footings, and probe any existing frame with an awl. Soft, spongy wood gives. A frame that fails the probe test gets rebuilt, not covered.
Written quote and board selection
You get a written quote that costs nothing, itemized by board tier, railing, and stairs. We pull up each board's ICC-ES evaluation report so you can check it yourself.
Permit and open inspections
New footings mean a township permit: holes open to 42 inches for the post-hole inspection before any concrete goes in, with the approved plans kept on site.
Install and walkthrough
Tape goes on the joist tops, then boards go down gapped to their surface temperature, one fastening system throughout. After the final inspection, we walk the deck with you.
Deck work we handle across Macomb Township
New builds, resurfacing, repairs, staining and covered structures, all run by one local crew.
New Deck Construction
Design, permits and a code-first build, from open footing holes to final inspection.
Learn more →Composite Decking
Capped composite installed to the letter of the manufacturer's gapping and fastening specs.
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Deck Resurfacing
New boards and rails on your sound existing frame, the budget path to a fresh deck.
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Deck Repair
Soft boards, loose rails, rusted hardware and shaky stairs, diagnosed and fixed honestly.
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Deck Staining
Cleaning, brightening and finish applied only after the wood passes the moisture test.
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Covered Decks
Covered decks, porch roofs and screened conversions, engineered before they are sold.
Learn more →Deck builders across Macomb County
Based in Macomb Township, covering both township ZIP codes and the towns around it, from Romeo and Washington Township down to Mount Clemens and out to New Baltimore. Same crew, same written quote, no out-of-area surcharge inside the county.
Composite decking questions from Macomb Township homeowners
Ready when the ground thaws
Build slots for the April to October season book up through spring. Call now or send the form and we will walk your deck with you, then put a quote in writing.