Swapping worn wood boards for composite is one of the most popular deck upgrades in the DMV. It looks great and ends the yearly staining cycle. But composite boards can last 25 years or more, and they're only as good as the frame underneath. Before you reuse the old frame, check three things.
1. JOIST SPACING
Composite is more flexible than wood. Most manufacturers require joists no more than 16 inches apart for boards laid straight, and 12 inches for diagonal patterns. Many older decks were built with joists at 24 inches.
- 16 inches on center: ready for composite in most cases.
- 24 inches on center: add a joist between each pair (“sistering in” extra joists), or the boards will sag and bounce.
Check the specific board's installation guide; requirements vary by product and by residential vs. commercial use.
2. FRAME CONDITION
- Probe with a screwdriver along joist tops, ends and around fasteners. Soft wood means rot.
- Joist tops are where water sits under old boards; they often rot first.
- Posts and footings: check for settling, rot at the base and loose connections.
- Hardware: rusted hangers and nails should be replaced with properly rated connectors.
3. THE LEDGER
The ledger board attaches the deck to the house and is the most common point of failure in deck collapses. It should be bolted (not just nailed) to the house framing and flashed so water can't get behind it. If the flashing is missing or the rim joist of the house is soft, that has to be fixed before anything else.
PROTECT THE FRAME
Applying butyl joist tape to the tops of joists and beams before installing the new boards keeps water out of screw holes and the joist tops. It adds a few hundred dollars and can add years to an older frame.
WHAT IT COSTS
| Job | Typical DMV Cost |
|---|---|
| Remove old boards, install composite on sound frame | $22 – $38 per sq ft |
| Adding joists to 16″ spacing | $3 – $7 per sq ft |
| Joist tape | $1 – $2 per sq ft |
| New composite railing | $65 – $130 per linear ft |
For a 300 sq ft deck, redecking with composite on a reusable frame typically runs $7,500 to $13,000 before railings. Replacing the railings? Check Maryland railing requirements.
If the frame is more than 20 years old and needs a lot of work, a new frame is often the smarter choice. Putting 30-year boards on a frame with 5 years left doesn't save money.
RELATED READING
DECK REPAIR & REFINISHING COST GUIDE: DMV (2026)
Board replacement, structural repairs, refinishing — what deck work costs in the DMV and when it makes more sense to replace than repair.
DECK RAILING HEIGHT REQUIREMENTS IN MARYLAND
When a guard is required, minimum height, baluster spacing and stair handrail basics.
WHEN TO STAIN A NEW PRESSURE-TREATED DECK
How long to wait, the water drop test, and what goes wrong when stain goes on too soon.
Planning a project? See our Deck Repair service page for scope, process and recent work.
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