Composite Deck Builders Serving the Twin Cities
Composite decks are the bulk of what we build, and in this climate, that's no surprise. Minnesota is hard on wood sitting in the great outdoors, and more homeowners than ever are deciding they'd rather enjoy their deck than spend every summer maintaining it. Composite delivers exactly that: the look of a beautiful wood deck without the endless sanding, staining, and sealing.
Two Teacher Construction has built composite decks across the Twin Cities metro since 1996. As experienced composite deck builders, we install all the major brands (Trex, TimberTech, Azek, and Deckorators) and we know how to build them so that they perform through decades of Minnesota winters. If you're looking for a composite deck installer who'll do it right the first time, here's what you should know.
What Is a Composite Deck?
A composite deck is built with boards made from a blend of recycled wood fibers and plastic, rather than solid lumber. The best composite decking is "capped," meaning each board is wrapped in a tough polymer shell that seals out moisture and resists fading, staining, and scratching.
That construction is the whole advantage. Because the boards don't soak up water, they don't rot, warp, splinter, or grow mold the way wood does. You get the warm look of a wood deck, with modern boards that are molded with convincing grain texture and come in a wide range of colors, but without any of the upkeep.
Why Composite Is the Right Choice in the Twin Cities
Composite makes sense almost anywhere, but in Minnesota it's close to a no-brainer. Here's why.
Minnesota's Freeze-Thaw Cycles
Our winters don't just get cold, they cycle. Temperatures swing above and below freezing again and again, water seeps into the grain, freezes, expands, and pries the wood apart from the inside. Over a few seasons you get checking, splitting, cupping, and popped fasteners. And whatever the winter leaves, the summer sun finishes off.
Capped composite sidesteps the entire problem. With no water getting into the board, freeze-thaw has little to no effect on the boards. The deck that looked great in October looks the same way come spring, year after year. That durability is the number one reason composite has become the default choice for new decks across the metro.
No Staining, Sealing, or Sanding, Ever
A wood deck in Minnesota is a standing appointment. Every year or two you're meticulously sanding, cleaning, and reapplying stain or sealant to hold back the harsh weather, and falling behind means that you get to watch the deck deteriorate.
Composite erases that chore entirely. Maintenance is nothing more than an occasional wash with soap and water to keep it looking fresh. No staining, no sealing, no sanding, for the life of the deck. For most homeowners, that reclaimed time and the end of all the recurring upkeep is the entire reason they switch.
Composite vs. Wood Over Time
It's fair to ask whether composite is worth it, since it costs more up front than wood. The answer shows up over time. A wood deck's price keeps climbing even after it's built: stain, sealant, replacement boards, and all the weekends you spend (or pay to have someone else spend) applying them, every year you own it. A composite deck is almost completely a one-time cost. Add up 25 to 30 years of wood upkeep against composite's wash-and-go simplicity and composite usually comes out well ahead, before you even count the time you get back.
Is Composite Decking Worth It? An Honest Look
We'd rather you hear the trade-offs from us than find them out afterward. Composite isn't perfect, and a builder who pretends otherwise isn't being straight with you. Here's the honest version.
The downsides people raise are real but manageable. In direct summer sun, darker composite boards do tend to get hotter underfoot than wood, which is why we steer you toward lighter tones if your deck faces full south or you've got kids running around barefoot. The surface is great at resisting scratches, but it isn't scratch-proof, so things like dragged furniture can mark it. And unlike wood, composite can't be refinished, so using protectors or felt pads on furniture you plan to move a lot is a must. And yes, the up-front price is higher than wood.
Even so, the upsides win most people over: no staining, no sealing, no splinters, no rot, and a look that holds for decades instead of degrading every season. For the vast majority of Twin Cities homeowners, the trade is worth it by a mile, especially when the alternative is sanding and re-staining a wood deck every other spring. The one case where we'll happily talk you out of composite is if you love the smell and feel of real wood and enjoy the maintenance. That's a fair preference, and that's why we build cedar decks too.
The Composite Brands We Build With
We install all the major composite brands, so your deck gets matched to the look and budget you want rather than whatever a builder happens to stock. We'll walk you through the real differences in person (how the boards look in natural light, how they feel underfoot, the color ranges, the warranties) so you can choose with confidence.
Trex
Trex is the name most people know, and for good reason. It helped create the composite category and remains one of the most popular decking brands in the country. It offers a broad palette of colors and a strong fade-and-stain warranty, and it's a solid, recognizable choice for a low-maintenance deck.
TimberTech and Azek
TimberTech is an excellent brand we install often, with capped composite and PVC boards engineered for excellent moisture resistance and a strikingly realistic wood look. Azek, TimberTech's top-tier line (now known as TimberTech Advanced PVC), is made without any wood fiber at all, for the highest level of moisture and stain resistance available, and backed by an exceptional warranty. If you want the best-performing, best-looking board we can put down, this brand has to enter the conversation.
Deckorators
Deckorators rounds out our lineup with their own set of distinctive board lines, including mineral-based composite known for impressive strength and stability. It's another excellent option we're glad to show you when we talk through your project.
What Sets a Great Composite Deck Apart
Here's something a lot of homeowners don't realize: the board is only half the deck. A premium board installed poorly will still sag, drain badly, or work its fasteners loose. How your deck is built decides how long it lasts, and that's where an experienced composite deck installer earns their keep. You can browse some finished examples of jobs we're proud to put our name on in our low-maintenance deck gallery.
- Proper framing and joist spacing. Composite has different spacing and span requirements than wood. Get it wrong and boards flex or sag; get it right and the deck feels rock-solid underfoot for decades.
- Hidden fastener systems. We use concealed fasteners so the finished surface is clean and uninterrupted, with no exposed screw heads to catch the eye or collect water.
- Drainage and ventilation. Composite sheds water instead of absorbing it, so that water has to go somewhere. A deck built to let it drain and to keep air moving underneath protects the wood frame below; a deck that traps moisture against the joists can rot the very frame it's sitting on. This is easy to overlook and expensive to ignore.
- Built to code. Ledger attachment, footing depth, and railing strength all have to meet Minnesota code. We pull permits and build to those standards on every project, which matters for your safety and for resale.
Our Composite Deck Installation Process
From first conversation to finished deck, here's how we work.
Consultation and design.
We come to you, look at your space, and talk through how you'll use the deck. You'll see board and railing options, and we'll design a layout that fits your home, your yard, and your budget, with no cookie-cutter plans.
Estimate and material selection
You'll get a clear, itemized estimate and help choosing the brand, color, and railing that's right for you.
Permitting
We handle the permit application and any approvals with your local building department.
Framing
We build or prepare the structural frame to the spacing and span specs your composite product requires.
Decking installation
Your boards go down with a hidden-fastener system for a clean, screw-free surface.
Railing and details
We install your railing system plus any stairs, built-in lighting, or finishing touches.
Inspection and walkthrough
We pass final inspection, clean the site completely, and walk the deck with you to confirm everything is exactly right.
What Goes Into the Cost of a Composite Deck
Naturally, one of the first questions is what a composite deck costs, and the most useful answer we can give is what drives that number, because every deck is different and a price off a chart rarely matches the deck you actually want. Rather than quote a figure that won't hold up, we give every project a real estimate after we've seen your space. The main factors:
- Size. Square footage is the biggest driver: more deck means more material and labor.
- Board brand and line. An entry-level composite and a top-tier PVC board sit at different price points, and the right one depends on your goals and tastes, not just your budget.
- Railing. Aluminum, cable, and glass railing systems each change the look and the cost.
- Height and complexity. Raised decks, multiple levels, curves, and custom features all add to the scope.
- Site conditions. Whether we're building new, replacing an old deck, or working around tricky terrain affects the work involved.
- Stairs and extras. Stairs, built-in lighting, and other details each add to the total.
The honest, no-pressure way to find out what your deck would cost is to have us come take a look. We'll talk through your options and give you a real number for your project, not a guess. Ask us about financing through Hearth, too, which lets you check loan options without a hard credit pull.
Why Choose Two Teacher as Your Composite Deck Builder
We've been building decks in the Twin Cities since 1996: nearly three decades of local code knowledge, supplier relationships, and homeowners who'll vouch for the work. Owner Steffan Madsen taught Technology Education in Eden Prairie for 26 years before running the business full-time, and that instinct to teach carries into every estimate: we explain the materials, the trade-offs, and the process so you can make a confident decision.
We're fully licensed (License #BC073200) and insured, A+ rated and accredited with the Better Business Bureau, and EPA Lead-Safe certified (Certificate NAT-109447-1) for work on older homes. We train our own crews to keep quality consistent across every job, and we pull permits on every project. As composite deck installers who care about quality and design, we don't just drop boards on a frame and leave; we build the deck so it complements your home, and stays solid long after the questions about maintenance have stopped.
Composite Decking Across the Twin Cities Metro
We're a local composite deck builder serving homeowners across the western metro and beyond, including Mound, Minnetonka, Wayzata, Orono, Plymouth, Eden Prairie, Chanhassen, Excelsior, Maple Grove, Medina, Victoria, Chaska, Shorewood, Waconia, and the surrounding communities. If you've been searching for composite deck builders near you, we'd like to be the team you call. Nearly thirty years of experience building in this exact climate informs every project we build.
Composite Deck FAQ
Let's Build Your Composite Deck
If you're ready for a deck that looks beautiful and asks almost nothing of you in return, we're ready to build it. Two Teacher Construction will come out, talk through your options, and give you a free on-site estimate. Call us at (952) 472-5670 to get started, or reach out via the contact form.