Deck Board Replacement in Charlotte, NC

When deck boards need replacing

Boards that are cracked, splintered or soft underfoot make a deck uncomfortable and, over time, unsafe. Loose fasteners and boards that stay dark and wet long after the rain are also worth a closer look.

Why boards wear out

Deck boards take more weather than any other part of a deck. Sun dries out and cracks the surface, water soaks into the ends of the boards and around the fasteners, and boards that stay wet under planters or rugs soften and rot. Boards close to the ground or in the shade dry out slowly and usually go first.

New boards on a sound frame

If the frame under the deck is solid, you don’t need a whole new deck. We remove the old decking and install new pressure-treated or composite boards on the existing frame. It is also a chance to change the look of the deck without rebuilding it.

What’s under the boards

With the old decking off, the joists, beams and posts are in plain view. Damaged framing is repaired or replaced with corrosion-resistant hardware before the new boards go on, so the new surface sits on a solid base.

Pressure-treated or composite?

Pressure-treated wood

A traditional wood surface. It usually costs less up front and can be stained and sealed. Plan on cleaning and refinishing it every so often to keep it looking good.

Composite boards

Composite boards are low-maintenance: no sanding or staining. They cost more to install, and they give an existing deck a new surface that needs less upkeep.

Matching the rest of the deck

New wood boards look lighter than old ones at first. A stain can bring the colors closer, but the most even look comes from replacing whole sections or the whole surface rather than single boards here and there. Composite boards come in set colors that won’t match weathered wood, so when you switch to composite, it usually makes sense to replace all of the decking.

Fasteners and spacing

New boards go down with corrosion-resistant fasteners and a small gap between them, so water drains off and the boards can move with the seasons. Composite boards are installed with the spacing and fasteners their maker calls for.

How the estimate works

We come out, look at the boards and the framing, and measure the deck. You get a written, line-item quote with no hidden fees, so you can see what the new boards and any framing repairs involve before work starts.