Composite Deck Installation - Paterson Two-Story
Project Overview
A Paterson homeowner had a rear deck that had reached the end of its usable life. The original pressure-treated lumber deck had been built in the mid-2000s and had never been properly sealed or maintained. The boards had gone silver-gray, split along the grain in multiple places, and several had warped so badly the deck surface was visibly uneven. One board had broken through completely, creating a safety hazard. The railing posts were wobbly, the balusters had gaps from missing members, and the ledger board where the deck attached to the house was showing early signs of rot where water had pooled behind the flashing. The homeowner had two young children and wanted a deck that was safe, low-maintenance, and looked good for years without annual sealing or staining. Exterior Solutions LLC demolished the existing deck entirely, installed new pressure-treated framing on the original footings, and built a full composite deck system using Trex Transcend boards with a white aluminum railing and built-in corner bench seating.
Analysis
Inspection of the existing structure revealed the concrete footings were in sound condition — they were poured correctly, had not heaved, and were adequate to support the new framing loads. The ledger board was a different story: the original lag bolt pattern did not meet current IRC standards, and the flashing behind the ledger had failed, allowing water infiltration into the rim joist of the house. We removed the ledger, inspected the rim joist — it had surface rot approximately 1/2 inch deep but was structurally sound. We treated the rim joist with a penetrating wood hardener, installed new AZEK PVC blocking over the affected area, and re-flashed the ledger connection with self-adhering flashing tape before installing the new pressure-treated ledger with properly spaced structural screws. Post bases were inspected and all were found to be in good condition with solid concrete anchoring.
Process
Day one: full deck demolition with all material removed from site by end of day. Footing inspection completed, post bases confirmed sound. Ledger removal, rim joist assessment and repair, new ledger installed with Vycor flashing. Day two: framing installation — posts, beams, and 2x10 joists at 12-inch spacing. Butyl joist tape applied to all framing tops. Day three: deck board installation began with picture frame border course, then field boards with Hideaway fasteners. Cut work around post sleeves. Day four: railing post sleeves anchored through decking, railing infill and top rail assembly, solar post caps. Built-in bench framing and surface. Day five: stair stringers, composite treads, stair railing. Final inspection, cleanup, and composite cleaner wash-down.
Outcome
The finished composite deck is a complete transformation from the rotted lumber structure that preceded it. The Trex Transcend boards in Spiced Rum with the contrasting Vintage Lantern picture frame border give the deck a finished, designed look rather than a standard builder-grade appearance. The white aluminum railing with black balusters is clean, modern, and fully code-compliant. The built-in corner bench eliminated the need for bulky freestanding chairs in the corner and made the space feel intentionally designed. The homeowner noted that within one weekend of completion, the deck had become the primary outdoor gathering space for the family. The Trex product carries a 25-year fade and stain warranty, making the maintenance-free promise one the homeowner can hold us to.
Project Details
Materials Used
Framing: new pressure-treated 2x10 joists at 12 inches on center, new pressure-treated 4x4 posts on existing post bases, ACQ-rated hardware throughout. Decking: Trex Transcend 1-inch grooved-edge boards, Spiced Rum color, installed with Trex Hideaway hidden fastener system. Border: contrasting Trex Transcend board in Vintage Lantern for picture frame border detail. Railing: Trex Transcend white aluminum post sleeve system with black aluminum balusters and white top rail. Post caps: Trex Signature round solar post caps. Bench: built-in corner bench using Trex decking surface over pressure-treated framing, with 2x4 Trex fascia sides. Steps: new composite stair treads on pressure-treated stringers. Flashing: Vycor Plus self-adhering ledger flashing tape. Joist tape: Trex Protect butyl joist tape on all framing members below decking.
Methods & Techniques
Full existing deck demolition including boards, framing, and posts. Footing inspection and verification of structural adequacy. Ledger removal, rim joist treatment and AZEK PVC repair, new ledger installation with Vycor flashing and IRC-compliant lag pattern. New pressure-treated framing at 12-inch on-center joist spacing. Butyl joist tape on all framing before deck board installation. Trex Hideaway hidden fastener installation on grooved-edge boards. Picture frame border with face-fastened contrasting board. Aluminum railing post sleeve system anchored through decking to framing. Railing assembly with black balusters and white top rail. Solar post cap installation. Built-in corner bench framing and Trex surface installation. Composite stair tread and railing system.
Key Highlights
Full deck demolition and rebuild on existing footings. Ledger board replacement with Vycor self-adhering flashing and IRC-compliant lag pattern. New PT framing at 12-inch on-center joist spacing with butyl joist tape. Trex Transcend composite boards in Spiced Rum with Vintage Lantern picture frame border. Trex Hideaway hidden fastener system throughout field. White aluminum post sleeve railing with black balusters and solar post caps. Built-in corner bench with composite surface. Composite stair treads with code-compliant railing. 25-year Trex fade and stain warranty. Completed in 5 working days.