Custom Composite Deck Builder
Woodcraft Design & Build is a custom composite deck builder serving Southeast Michigan since 1984. We install three of the major composite decking systems: Trex (as a TrexPro Platinum certified installer), TimberTech, and Deckorators. Custom composite deck projects typically range from $20,000 to $45,000 depending on size, product line, and integrated features.
Why Composite Decking?
Composite decking changed the residential deck industry for one core reason: it eliminates the maintenance cycle that traditional wood decks require. No annual staining. No sealing. No board replacement from rot or split damage. Modern composite materials carry manufacturer warranties of 25 to 50 years and routinely exceed those expectations with basic care.
The upfront cost is higher than pressure-treated wood – typically 30 to 50% more at installation. But across the 20 to 30 year ownership window of a Southeast Michigan home, composite delivers substantially better lifetime value because there’s no recurring maintenance spend and no replacement boards to source and install.
Trex Composite Decking – Our Primary System
Trex is our primary composite system, and we’re a TrexPro Platinum certified installer (a designation held by approximately 5% of contractors nationally). Trex offers three product lines: Transcend (top-tier with 50-year warranty), Enhance (mid-tier value option), and Select (entry-level with 25-year warranty). Trex has the broadest color and texture catalog and the strongest manufacturer support network among composite brands.
For most homeowners, Trex is our recommended composite system. Detailed Trex information is available on our Trex decking page.
TimberTech Composite Decking
TimberTech is a strong alternative to Trex, particularly for homeowners seeking specific aesthetic styles that TimberTech executes well – especially the wood-grain reclaimed and weathered looks. TimberTech composite carries warranties comparable to Trex (25 to 30 years on most lines) and is engineered for similar long-term performance.
Deckorators Composite Decking
Deckorators rounds out our composite offerings. Deckorators tends to be a strong fit for homeowners seeking specific price points or color options not available in the Trex or TimberTech lines. Like the other composite manufacturers, Deckorators carries solid manufacturer warranties and engineered durability.
How to Choose Between Composite Brands
For most projects, the brand decision comes down to color and texture availability, price point, and warranty terms. We bring physical samples of multiple options to every estimate consultation. Comparing samples in person under your home’s actual daylight conditions is essential – online color tools and photographs routinely misrepresent how the boards will look on your property.
Trex is our most commonly recommended composite given the TrexPro Platinum certification, manufacturer support network, and product range. But the right system depends on your specific aesthetic preferences and project requirements, and we’ll walk through the tradeoffs honestly.
Composite Deck Pricing
Custom composite decks built by Woodcraft Design & Build typically range from $20,000 to $45,000. Variables driving cost include square footage, composite product line and color selection, railing system (cable and glass railings cost more than traditional balusters), foundation type, and any integrated features like built-in benches, lighting, planters, or outdoor kitchen footprints.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which composite brand is best?
For most projects, Trex offers the strongest combination of product quality, color and texture options, manufacturer warranty support, and certified installer network access. Our TrexPro Platinum certification gives us direct manufacturer support that benefits our customers throughout the project lifecycle. That said, TimberTech and Deckorators are both excellent products with specific aesthetic and pricing advantages.
Are composite decks worth the higher upfront cost?
For homeowners planning to stay in their home long-term, yes. The maintenance savings, board longevity, and consistent appearance across the deck’s lifespan generally deliver better lifetime value than wood despite the higher upfront investment.
How long do composite decks last?
Composite decks are designed to last 25 to 50 years depending on product line and manufacturer. With basic cleaning, well-installed composite decks routinely reach those lifespans without significant aging or structural issues.
Can I install composite decking myself?
Composite installation looks straightforward but has technical requirements – proper gapping for thermal expansion, hidden fastener systems, framing specifications that differ from wood, and warranty registration requirements that vary by manufacturer. We’ve seen DIY composite installations that produced premature failure and voided warranties. For warranty-eligible installation, certified contractors are typically required by the manufacturer.
Service Area
We build custom composite decks throughout Southeast Michigan with dedicated service area expertise in Brighton, Howell, Royal Oak, Birmingham, Northville, Novi, Livonia, Canton, Rochester Hills, West Bloomfield, Farmington, Southfield, Belleville, and surrounding communities.
Woodcraft Design & Build typically responds to quote requests by the next business day.
