Composite and PVC Decks in Medina, OH

What Ohio code requires of composite boards

Section 507.2.2 of the 2019 Residential Code of Ohio sets the rules:

Boards, stair treads, guards and handrails must comply with ASTM D7032.
The boards or their packaging must carry a label with the allowable load and maximum allowable span.
Flame spread index may not exceed 200 under ASTM E84 or UL 723.
Installation follows the code and the manufacturer's instructions.

That label matters on site. If the frame's joist spacing is wider than the board's rated span, the deck can feel bouncy or fail an inspection.

Composite vs PVC deck boards

Both are installed over a wood or metal frame like a regular deck and come in many colors and textures. The difference is what the board is made of.

	Composite	PVC
Made of	Plastic blended with wood fiber or other fillers, often with a protective outer shell	All plastic
Wood content	Yes, so Ohio requires it to be decay resistant under ASTM D7032	None
Ohio code group	Plastic composite, Section 507.2.2	Plastic composite, Section 507.2.2

How a composite deck job runs

Check the frame
For re-decking, the builder looks for rot along the tops of joists and at the ledger.
Match the span
Joist spacing has to fit the maximum span printed on the board's label.
Permit where needed
A new deck or rebuilt frame goes through zoning and the building permit.
Install to the label
Boards, treads and railing follow the code and the maker's instructions.
Stairs
Composite treads still meet Ohio's stair rules: risers 8 1/4 inches or less, treads at least 9 inches.

How much does a composite deck cost compared with wood?

Composite and PVC boards cost more up front than pressure-treated lumber, and they save the time and material spent sanding, staining and sealing later. The frame is usually treated wood either way.

What affects the price	Why it matters
Board line and color	Prices vary between lines and colors
Fascia, treads and railing	Where most of the gap with wood shows up
Hidden fasteners	Change both labor and material
Picture-frame borders	Extra cuts and framing at the edges
New deck or re-decking	Re-boarding a sound frame skips most of the framing

Get your price

Can composite boards go on an existing wood deck frame?

Sometimes. Re-decking works when the joists, beams, posts and footings are sound and the joist spacing matches what the new board allows. Older frames are often spaced wider than many composite boards permit, and diagonal decking usually needs closer spacing still.

A deck builder will check for rot along the tops of joists and at the ledger, and confirm the frame meets current rules before quoting boards only. If it doesn't, the job becomes a deck replacement.

What the builder needs to quote composite decking

New deck or re-decking an existing one.
The board brand or color range you like, if you have one.
Rough size, height and stair count.
Railing preference, since many lines sell matching composite railings.
Photos of the current frame from underneath, if there is a deck now.

Composite and PVC Decks questions

Is composite decking worth it in Ohio?

It depends on how long you plan to stay and how much upkeep you want. Composite and PVC cost more at the start but skip the regular staining and sealing that wood needs after Northeast Ohio winters. If you plan to keep the house many years, the lower maintenance often wins. A contractor can price both for the same deck layout.

Does composite decking need special joist spacing?

Ohio requires composite boards to carry a label with their maximum allowable span, and the joists must be spaced to match it. Many composite lines call for closer spacing than older wood decks used, and diagonal patterns need closer spacing again. That is why re-boarding an old frame is checked before it is quoted.

Can composite stair treads be used on deck stairs?

They can, as long as they meet Ohio's code. The 2019 Residential Code of Ohio says exterior plastic composite stair treads must follow the stair rules in Section 311.7 and the composite rules in Section 507.2.2, including the ASTM D7032 label. Stairs still need risers of 8 1/4 inches or less and treads of at least 9 inches.