Premium composite (Trex, Sunwood) installed correctly — the boards can't be cut on a standard saw without burning the edge, and the framing isn't 16-on-center like dimensional lumber. We know the difference. Most contractors don't, and the work shows it.
A Pacific Northwest deck has to last decades in conditions that destroy lesser construction in under ten years. Cedar, ipe, and premium composite (Trex, Sunwood) all have a place in that conversation, but each demands a specific installation discipline that lower-end contractors don't follow. Composite specifically — Trex and Sunwood — cannot be cut on a standard saw without burning the edge, and the framing cannot be 16-on-center like dimensional lumber expects. Get the framing wrong, the boards bow. Get the cuts wrong, the edges show. Get the fasteners wrong, the warranty is voided. We get all three right.
Composite boards need specialty saws to avoid edge burn. Joist spacing for Trex Transcend is 16" on center for perpendicular installation but 12" on center for diagonal — a detail most contractors miss. Hidden fastener systems require precise gap spacing for thermal expansion. We install to manufacturer spec, which preserves the warranty.
For clients who want the look of natural wood with the longevity of composite, Sunwood is our specified product. PNW-climate-tested, lower maintenance than cedar, lasts 25+ years.
The boards on top are what you see. The framing underneath is what fails. We use pressure-treated lumber rated for ground contact, joist hangers throughout, and post bases that elevate posts off concrete to prevent rot. The deck on your Bellevue home should outlast the home. We build it that way.
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Every project starts with an on-site consultation. Book yours on Calendly — $300 up front, applied to your project if you book with us, $200 credit if you don't.