Composite & PVC Decks in Cumberland County, Maine
Composite and PVC deck building in Cumberland County, Maine: Trex-style and AZEK boards on framing built for snow. Free on-site estimates from the owners.
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How composite and PVC decks actually goes together
Every composite and PVC decks job is built in a specific order, and the layers you never see once the job is finished are what actually keep water out of the wall or roof. The diagram walks through it step by step.
How a Deck Structure Is Built
- Footing — poured below Maine’s frost line so winter heaving cannot move it
- Post — carries the beam load down to the footing
- Beam — spans between posts and carries the outer ends of the joists
- Ledger — bolted to the house framing, with flashing that diverts water away from the wall
- Joists — span from the ledger to the beam, sized and spaced to the decking and the load
- Decking — the walking surface, fastened on top with spacing for drainage
About composite and PVC decks
Composite and PVC decking do not need staining, do not splinter, and resist rot, which is why they have become the default for new decks in Maine. Composite boards blend wood fiber and plastic under a protective cap; PVC boards are all synthetic and lighter. The North Deering farmhouse on this site got a rebuilt deck with AZEK composite decking. The framing underneath is still wood, so it is built to last as long as the boards on top.
This page is part of our deck building work, which lists typical price ranges and materials. Other related services: new deck building, deck replacement, metal roofing, vinyl siding installation.
What the job involves
- Layout, size and board color are chosen with the owner at the estimate visit.
- Footings and framing are built to code, with joist spacing that suits the board manufacturer's span rules.
- Joist tape or flashing protects the tops of joists and the ledger.
- Boards go down with hidden fasteners or color-matched screws and the expansion gaps the product requires.
- Matching railings, stair treads, fascia and landings finish the deck.
Signs it is time
- You are done staining and sealing a wood deck every year or two
- The deck is in shade or near water where wood stays damp
- You want a deck that stays barefoot-friendly with no splinters
What affects the price
- Composite versus PVC, and the product line
- Deck size, height and shape
- Railing system and stairs
- Hidden-fastener versus face-screw installation
- Footing and framing conditions
Every job is priced from a free on-site estimate, with a fixed-price written proposal before work starts.
Composite & PVC Decks: What Changes From Pressure-Treated Lumber
Composite and PVC decking solve the two things homeowners complain about most with a wood deck — annual staining and boards that eventually cup, splinter, or rot. They don't change what's underneath: the same frost-depth footings and flashed ledger connection carry a composite deck as carry a wood one. What changes is the decking surface itself, and a few of the framing details under it.
What Composite and PVC Decking Are Made Of
Composite decking is manufactured from a mix of wood fiber and plastic, capped on most modern products with a plastic shell that resists staining, fading, and moisture absorption better than earlier uncapped composites did. PVC decking (cellular vinyl) skips the wood fiber entirely, making it fully moisture-resistant with no organic material for mold or rot to take hold of, typically at a higher price point than composite.
Trex Composite Decking
Trex is one of the composite decking lines we install, offering multiple product tiers (their Enhance and Transcend lines, among others) with different cap thicknesses and color/streaking options, each backed by its own fade-and-stain warranty term — we'll walk through the current lineup and warranty terms for whichever tier fits your budget.
AZEK PVC Decking
AZEK is one of the PVC decking lines we install — a cellular PVC board with no wood fiber content, aimed at homeowners who want the lowest possible long-term maintenance and don't mind the higher upfront cost compared to composite.
Composite vs. Pressure-Treated Lumber
| Factor | Pressure-treated lumber | Composite / PVC |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront cost | Lowest | Higher, sometimes significantly |
| Maintenance | Annual or biennial staining/sealing to look its best | Occasional washing; no staining or sealing |
| Typical warranty | None on the wood itself | Often 25 years to limited lifetime on the decking product |
| Feel underfoot in direct sun | Stays cooler than dark composite | Darker colors can get noticeably hot in full sun |
The Substructure Doesn't Change — But Joist Spacing Might
Footings, posts, beams, and the ledger connection are built to the same frost-depth and span requirements under composite decking as under wood. What can change is joist spacing: many composite manufacturers specify tighter joist spacing than the code minimum for wood decking, especially for boards installed on a diagonal — we build to the decking manufacturer's spec, not just the framing code minimum, so the warranty stays intact.
Sources: Trex decking products · AZEK decking products
Brand names and logos are trademarks of their respective owners, shown only to identify the products discussed. Cardinal Exteriors is an independent contractor and is not affiliated with or endorsed by these manufacturers.
Composite & PVC Decks: frequently asked questions
Both are low-maintenance. Capped composite feels more like wood; PVC is lighter and fully synthetic. The owner walks through samples with you.
Darker boards in full sun get warmer than wood. Lighter colors run cooler.
Cardinal Exteriors builds decks new from the footings up, so the framing matches the new boards and lasts as long.
Any deck can ice. Plastic shovels and calcium chloride ice melt are typical for composite; check the board maker's care guide.
Composite & PVC Decks by town
All 38 towns we serve
Each town page covers how that town's houses, weather and permitting shape the job. See every town on our service areas page.
- Composite Decks in Portland
- Composite Decks in South Portland
- Composite Decks in Westbrook
- Composite Decks in Cape Elizabeth
- Composite Decks in Scarborough
- Composite Decks in Falmouth
- Composite Decks in Cumberland
- Composite Decks in Yarmouth
- Composite Decks in North Yarmouth
- Composite Decks in Freeport
- Composite Decks in Pownal
- Composite Decks in Brunswick
- Composite Decks in Harpswell
- Composite Decks in Gorham
- Composite Decks in Windham
- Composite Decks in Standish
- Composite Decks in Gray
- Composite Decks in New Gloucester
- Composite Decks in Raymond
- Composite Decks in Casco
- Composite Decks in Naples
- Composite Decks in Sebago
- Composite Decks in Baldwin
- Composite Decks in Bridgton
- Composite Decks in Harrison
- Composite Decks in Frye Island
- Composite Decks in Chebeague Island
- Composite Decks in Long Island
- Composite Decks in Saco
- Composite Decks in Biddeford
- Composite Decks in Old Orchard Beach
- Composite Decks in Kennebunk
- Composite Decks in Kennebunkport
- Composite Decks in Wells
- Composite Decks in Sanford
- Composite Decks in Buxton
- Composite Decks in Topsham
- Composite Decks in Bath
What Greater Portland homeowners say
Andrew Mountcastle
May 2026 · Google
We hired Cardinal Exteriors to reside our house and install all new windows, and it was a terrific experience from start to finish! Bob was one of the very best contractors we've ever worked with (and we've worked with many over the years). He was extremely responsive, helpful, respectful of wishes and concerns, and never pressured us in any way.
John Nueslein
December 2025 · Google
CARDINAL EXTERIORS re-shingled my roof. Bob Proved to be Knowledgeable and Trustworthy. He was responsive to my questions and took the time to explain the materials being used and the steps they were taking to weatherproof the roof of my home. The work crew was polite and they cleaned up the job site at the end of each work day.
Steve Kelley
October 2025 · Google
Bob @ Cardinal Exteriors replace 26 windows and resided our office building in Westbrook in 2025. Being in the construction business, we understand how proposals sometimes come with change orders and surprises if not outlined up front. Bob and his team finished our job on schedule and actually below budget.
Get a free composite and PVC decks estimate
Tell us about the house and what you want changed. One of the owners will call to set up a visit, measure, and write a fixed-price proposal. No pressure, no obligation.
Need it today?Call Mike (207) 408-5388
or Bob at (207) 252-0759
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