Key takeaways
Garden State Decks builds composite decks across South Jersey with Trex, TimberTech and Fiberon boards, framed and permitted by our own in-house crew out of Blackwood. We work in all seven southern counties, from the split-levels and colonials of Cherry Hill to raised shore homes in Avalon and Wildwood. Every job starts with a free on-site estimate and written pricing before any work begins.
Composite decking is a board made from wood fiber and plastic, wrapped in a polymer cap that blocks moisture, stains and fading. PVC decking looks similar on the surface but contains no wood, which changes how it behaves near water. Most of the decks we build in Camden and Gloucester counties use capped composite. Pool decks, low decks close to the ground and shore homes are where PVC earns its higher price.
Capped composite: a wood-fiber and recycled-plastic core with a protective polymer shell on three or four sides. Trex says its boards are 95 percent recycled material.
Capped PVC: a board made entirely of polymer. TimberTech describes its Advanced PVC line as 100 percent polymer with zero organic material, so there is nothing in the core to absorb water.
If you are still deciding between wood and composite, our composite vs. wood decking comparison walks through the trade-offs for South Jersey weather.
We install all three major brands, and the right line depends on sun exposure, how close the deck sits to water, and budget. The table lists each manufacturer's published residential warranty, which is the simplest way to compare tiers across brands.
| Line | Board type | Manufacturer warranty | Where it fits in South Jersey |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trex Enhance | Capped composite | 25-year limited | Replacing a worn pressure-treated deck on a tighter budget. |
| Trex Select | Capped composite | 35-year limited | Mid-range family decks behind colonials and ranches. |
| Trex Transcend and Transcend Lineage | Capped composite | 50-year limited | Full-sun yards where fade resistance and a longer warranty matter. |
| TimberTech Composite: Prime, Prime+, Premier | Composite, capped on three sides | 25-year limited | Raised decks with good airflow underneath. |
| TimberTech Composite: Terrain, Reserve, Legacy | Composite, capped on four sides | 30-year limited | Shaded and wooded lots where boards stay damp longer. |
| TimberTech Advanced PVC: Harvest, Landmark, Vintage | Capped PVC, no wood content | Limited lifetime product warranty, with fade and stain coverage up to 50 years depending on collection | Pool decks, low decks close to the ground, and shore homes. |
| Fiberon Good Life, Sanctuary, Concordia | Capped composite | 25 years to lifetime, depending on the line | A wide price ladder when matching an existing color. |
| Fiberon Promenade and Paramount | PVC | Lifetime performance, 50-year stain and fade | Bayside and waterfront decks. |
Warranty terms are the manufacturers' published residential terms, checked October 2026 at Trex, TimberTech and Fiberon. The registered warranty document for your collection governs.
Garden State Decks is TimberTech and AZEK Exterior Certified and a member of NADRA, the North American Deck and Railing Association. TimberTech's PVC boards were sold for years under the AZEK name and are now branded TimberTech Advanced PVC.
A composite deck lasts only as long as the frame under it, so most of the work that decides its lifespan happens before the first board goes down. The boards carry 25- to 50-year warranties, and the treated lumber frame has to be detailed to keep up with them.
Framing spans and ledger connections follow the American Wood Council's DCA 6 prescriptive deck guide alongside the state code. Railings are part of the same build, and our railing installation page covers composite, aluminum and cable options. For a layout built around your yard, see custom deck builds.
Where the deck sits changes which board makes sense. An inland yard in Washington Township and an oceanside lot in Avalon put very different loads on the same product.
We build in Cherry Hill, Washington Township, Avalon and Wildwood, and across the rest of Camden County, Gloucester County, Burlington County and Cape May County. Finished composite projects are in our project gallery.
Composite costs more up front than pressure-treated pine and returns nearly all of it at resale in this region. The 2025 Cost vs. Value report for the Middle Atlantic region, which includes New Jersey, is the most recent edition and gives a like-for-like comparison.
| Deck addition, Middle Atlantic 2025 | Average job cost | Resale value | Cost recouped |
|---|---|---|---|
| Composite deck | $28,209 | $27,587 | 97.8% |
| Wood deck | $22,717 | $21,348 | 94.0% |
Published 2026 national price guides from HomeGuide and Ergeon put installed composite decking at roughly $35 to $80 per square foot, with PVC at the top of that range and pressure-treated pine at $25 to $50. Those are national ranges, not our quote. Height, stairs, railing length and demolition of an old deck move the number more than the board brand does, which is why we price every deck in writing after seeing the yard. Our South Jersey deck cost guide breaks the budget down further, and financing is available.
A capped composite deck surface typically lasts 25 to 50 years, which is the range Trex publishes and the range the manufacturer warranties cover. Trex puts a pressure-treated wood surface at 10 to 15 years by comparison. The frame underneath is still treated lumber, so joist tape, ledger flashing and corrosion-resistant hardware decide whether the structure lasts as long as the boards.
For most South Jersey homeowners who plan to stay put, yes. In the 2025 Cost vs. Value report for the Middle Atlantic region, a composite deck addition returned 97.8 percent of its cost at resale and a wood deck returned 94 percent. Composite also removes the cleaning, sanding and re-staining cycle that a wood deck needs to survive New Jersey's freeze-thaw winters and humid summers.
Yes. Every composite and PVC board gets hot in direct afternoon sun, and Trex says so in its own FAQ. Board color matters most, so lighter colors, the heat-mitigating lines and PVC boards are the better picks for a south-facing or poolside deck. Our guide on choosing a lighter or darker deck color covers the trade-off.
Sometimes. Trex and TimberTech both allow new boards on an existing frame only when that frame is structurally sound, and both cap joist spacing at 16 inches on center. Frames built at 24 inches need added joists, and a rotted ledger or rusted hangers mean the frame gets replaced. Our deck replacement and resurfacing page explains how that call gets made.
Yes. New Jersey requires a construction permit to build a new deck or completely replace an existing one, whatever the decking material. Most South Jersey townships also want a zoning permit first. We file both and schedule the inspections. Our NJ deck permit guide lists the offices and published fees for 21 townships.
Neither wins on every lot. Both make capped composite boards with long warranties that vary by line. TimberTech also makes Advanced PVC boards with no wood content, which is the stronger choice for pool decks, low decks close to the ground and shore homes. We install both, along with Fiberon, and we are TimberTech and AZEK Exterior Certified.
Free on-site estimate, written pricing before we start, and same-day response on requests submitted before 4 PM.
Get a free quote →Or call (856) 818-8114Free on-site estimate, written pricing before any work begins, and same-day response on requests submitted before 4 PM.