A deck that survives
a South Florida
summer, every summer.

Composite decking built across Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach — on a substructure sized and spaced for the boards going on it, because in this climate the frame is what fails first and the boards get the blame.

  • Licensed, bonded & insured · CBC1265280
  • 104 municipalities across 3 counties
  • Framing built for a South Florida summer

Miami-Dade · Broward & Palm Beach Counties

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Step one

Tell us where the deck goes.

Rough size, what is there now, and how far it sits above the ground. Those three answers set most of the build.

  • Licensed, bonded and insured · CBC1265280
  • Substructure and boards by one contractor
  • 104 municipalities across three counties

What to have ready

Approximate dimensions, whether it is ground level or raised, and what the deck will sit on — soil, existing slab or pool surround.

What happens next

We arrange a site visit to look at levels, drainage and how the deck meets the house.

What the consultation covers

Substructure and footings, board and railing options, how the deck ties into the building, and whether a permit is needed.

Preferred contact method

We use your details only to respond to this enquiry. No lists, no resale.

Thanks — that came through.

Your details are with us. A licensed general contractor will come back to you to arrange a site walk. If it is urgent, call (754) 236-0675.

Photo sequence — completed Elbaz outdoor decks and terraces, plus illustrated composite stages

What we build

You buy boards. What you get is a frame.

Composite boards are the part of a deck that will still look right in fifteen years. The part that decides whether they do is underneath: joist spacing matched to the board and to the direction it runs, footings that do not move, a fall that sheds water, ventilation under the deck, and fixings that will not corrode in salt air. A composite deck built on a substructure sized for timber will sag between the joists — and it will look like the boards failed.

  • 01

    Spacing set by the board

    Joist centres taken from the board manufacturer's span table, tightened again where boards run diagonally.

  • 02

    Footings that stay put

    Sized for the load and the ground, not dug to whatever depth the day allowed.

  • 03

    Water gets away

    Fall built into the frame, gaps held consistently, and air able to move under the deck.

  • 04

    Hardware for salt air

    Fixings and connectors chosen for coastal exposure — the cheapest possible failure and the most annoying to fix.

  • 05

    Hidden fixings where it matters

    Grooved boards and hidden clips give an unbroken surface with no screw heads to catch bare feet.

See the work, frame by frame

Deck boards stacked on a travertine terrace, laid out ready for installation
Deck boards stacked on site, laid out before installation

Elbaz project photograph

Project work

Decks, pool decks and covered terraces

Completed Elbaz outdoor work

Every frame here is an Elbaz Construction photograph of completed outdoor work at properties across South Florida. A note on honesty: the board material in these particular photographs is not documented, and a capped composite and a tropical hardwood are not reliably distinguishable in a photograph — so we describe them as timber-look deck boards and do not label them composite. The composite-specific detail is illustrated separately below, and labelled as illustration.

Timber-look pool deck with loungers, running alongside the water
Pool deck. A timber-look deck running alongside the water with loungers on it. This is the surface that takes sun, chlorine and bare feet all year.
Timber-look deck boards forming wide steps down into a pool, beside a covered terrace
Steps into the pool. Wide deck steps descending into the pool beside a covered terrace. Stair framing under a deck is the most demanding part of the substructure.
Covered outdoor terrace with an outdoor kitchen and dining, opening onto a pool deck
Covered terrace. A covered outdoor room with a kitchen and dining, opening straight onto the deck and pool beyond.
Louvred pergola over a poolside dining and outdoor kitchen area
Louvred pergola. A louvred pergola over poolside dining, with the outdoor kitchen built into the same structure.
Covered terrace and outdoor kitchen on a canal-front property
On the canal. A covered terrace and outdoor kitchen on a canal-front property, with the deck surface running out to the water.
Timber-clad soffit over a covered terrace, with the deck below meeting the pool edge
Soffit and edge. Timber-clad soffit above, deck below, and the pool edge between them.
Deck boards stacked on a travertine terrace, laid out ready for installation
Boards on site. Deck boards stacked on the travertine, laid out and left to sit before they are fixed down.
Covered terrace lit in the evening beside a pool
After dark. The covered terrace lit in the evening. Lighting is easiest to run while the frame is still open.
Detail of the same frame: Timber-look pool deck with loungers, running alongside the water
Detail of the same frame: Timber-look deck boards forming wide steps down into a pool, beside a covered terrace
Detail of the same frame: Covered outdoor terrace with an outdoor kitchen and dining, opening onto a pool deck
Detail of the same frame: Louvred pergola over a poolside dining and outdoor kitchen area
Detail of the same frame: Covered terrace and outdoor kitchen on a canal-front property
Detail of the same frame: Timber-clad soffit over a covered terrace, with the deck below meeting the pool edge
Detail of the same frame: Deck boards stacked on a travertine terrace, laid out ready for installation
Detail of the same frame: Covered terrace lit in the evening beside a pool
Detail


Decks at the water

Pool decks and canal-front terraces, where the deck is the main surface people actually use.

Level changes

Wide steps down into pools and between terrace levels, which is where board fixing and stair framing get tested.

Covered structures

Terraces with clad soffits, louvred pergolas and outdoor kitchens built alongside the deck surface.

Junctions

Where decking meets travertine, tile, coping and the building — the detail that decides whether a deck reads as designed.

How it runs

Eleven stages, and the boards go on at nine.

Almost everything that decides how a composite deck performs happens before a single board is fixed. Below is the order we run it in.

Photo sequence — illustrated substructure and board stages, then completed Elbaz outdoor work

  1. Site visit

    Levels, drainage, how the deck meets the house, and what is underneath — soil, slab or pool surround.

  2. Design & layout

    Shape, board direction, level changes and where the stairs land. Board direction sets the joist spacing, so it is decided now.

  3. Permit check

    Whether the structure needs one, which depends on height, attachment to the house and your municipality.

  4. Footings

    Set to the load and to the ground conditions, and left to cure properly before anything sits on them.

  5. Substructure

    Beams and joists at the spacing the chosen board requires — tighter for diagonal or herringbone layouts.

  6. Ledger & flashing

    Where the deck attaches to the house, the ledger is fixed to structure and flashed so water cannot get behind it. This is the most common failure point in the whole trade.

  7. Blocking & fall

    Blocking at board ends and butt joints, and the fall checked across the frame before it is covered.

  8. Board acclimation

    Boards on site and laid out ahead of fixing, so they are at ambient temperature when they are set.

  9. Boards & fixings

    Laid to a consistent gap, with hidden clips into the grooves where the board takes them.

  10. Stairs & railing

    Stringers, treads, risers and railing posts bolted through into framing rather than into board.

  11. Trim & clean

    Fascia, edge trim and picture framing where the design calls for it, then the site cleared.

Joist spacing, span, fastener type and expansion gaps are set by the manufacturer of the board actually installed and differ between products. Permit requirements vary by municipality and by deck height.

A composite deck is only as good as the frame under it. These six frames show the parts nobody sees afterwards: joists on footings before any board goes down, the spacing measured rather than eyeballed, a hidden clip seated in the groove of a board and screwed to the joist, boards going on with a consistent gap, stairs framed with closed risers, and a railing post bolted through into structure rather than into decking.

Showcase 02

What composite decking looks like underneath

Illustrative sequence — not photographs of an Elbaz project

These six frames are AI-generated illustrations, not photographs of our work. We have not photographed a composite deck mid-build, and rather than caption someone else's job as ours — or claim a material we cannot verify in our own photographs — we have illustrated the stages that actually matter. Each caption and each image's alt text says so.

Illustrative - AI-generated

The decision

Composite or timber, decided on the facts.

Six comparisons that actually decide it here. Switch between the three questions to see each from a different angle.

Illustrative, AI-generated: composite boards being laid across joists, half the deck boarded and half open framing

Composite vs timber

A wood-flour and polymer board, usually with a hard polymer cap, against a natural timber board.

Illustrative - AI-generated

Illustrative, AI-generated: a tape measure across deck joists showing the spacing between centres

Joist spacing and span

The distance between joist centres, set by the board being installed and by the direction it runs.

Illustrative - AI-generated

Illustrative, AI-generated: a hidden fastener clip seated in the groove of a composite board and screwed to the joist

Fixings: hidden or face-screwed

Clips that sit in a groove in the board edge, or screws driven through the face of the board.

Illustrative - AI-generated

Timber-look pool deck with loungers, running alongside the water

Colour and surface heat

Board colour and surface texture, which together decide how hot the deck gets in direct sun.

Elbaz project photograph

Illustrative, AI-generated: composite deck stairs with closed risers and a stringer either side

Stairs and level changes

Stringers, treads, risers and how a deck steps down to a terrace or into a pool.

Illustrative - AI-generated

Illustrative, AI-generated: an aluminium railing post bolted through a composite board into the framing below

Railing and posts

Aluminium, composite or cable railing, and how the posts are fixed.

Illustrative - AI-generated

Living with it

Routine cleaning

Sweep and wash with soapy water a couple of times a year. Composite needs no sealing and no staining.

Between boards

Clear leaves and debris from the gaps — blocked gaps trap water on the frame, which is what actually rots.

Under the deck

Keep the space beneath ventilated and clear. Airflow under a deck matters more here than almost anywhere.

Sunscreen and grease

Clean spills promptly. Sunscreen and barbecue grease are the two things that mark a capped board.

Showcase 03

Where a deck actually fails.

Decks rarely fail in the middle of the boards. They fail at six specific places, and all six are decided during construction. Illustrated with a mix of Elbaz photographs and clearly labelled illustrations.

Illustrative, AI-generated: a deck substructure of treated joists on concrete footings, no boards laid yet

01

The ledger

Illustrative, AI-generated. Where a deck attaches to the house. If it is not fixed into structure and properly flashed, water gets behind it and the failure is inside the wall, not on the deck.

Mixed — see each caption

Illustrative, AI-generated: a tape measure across deck joists showing the spacing between centres

02

Footings

Illustrative, AI-generated. Undersized or shallow footings let one corner settle. Everything above it then twists, and boards open up at the joints.

Mixed — see each caption

Illustrative, AI-generated: composite boards being laid across joists, half the deck boarded and half open framing

03

Joist spacing

Illustrative, AI-generated. Composite laid on timber-spaced joists sags between them. It reads as a bad board and it is a bad frame.

Mixed — see each caption

Illustrative, AI-generated: a hidden fastener clip seated in the groove of a composite board and screwed to the joist

04

Fixings in salt air

Illustrative, AI-generated. The wrong screws or connectors corrode within a few years near the coast, and replacing them means lifting the deck.

Mixed — see each caption

Illustrative, AI-generated: an aluminium railing post bolted through a composite board into the framing below

05

Stairs and railings

Illustrative, AI-generated. Railing posts fixed into deck boards rather than into framing feel solid on the day and loosen within a season.

Mixed — see each caption

Timber-look pool deck with loungers, running alongside the water

06

Water and airflow

Elbaz photograph. Fall across the frame, consistent gaps and ventilation under the deck. A deck that cannot dry out will not last, whatever the boards are made of.

Mixed — see each caption

Deck substructure at the house

Ledger, flashing, joists and the gap that lets it dry

Schematic section through a composite deck where it meets the house From the house outward: the wall, a flashed ledger board bolted to structure, joists hung from the ledger, a beam on a footing further out, composite boards over the joists with a consistent gap between them, and an open ventilated space beneath the deck. 1 HOUSE WALL AND STRUCTURE 2 FLASHING OVER THE LEDGER 3 LEDGER BOLTED INTO STRUCTURE 4 JOISTS AT THE BOARD'S SPACING 5 COMPOSITE BOARDS, CONSISTENT GAP 6 BEAM AND FOOTING 7 VENTILATED SPACE - THE DECK MUST DRY 123 4567

Schematic. Joist spacing, fastener type and ledger fixing are set by the board manufacturer and by code for your municipality.

Answers

Composite decking questions.

Composite does not need sanding, sealing or staining, will not splinter and holds its colour far longer. Timber is cheaper on day one, can be refinished to look new, and can be repaired board by board. In South Florida the maintenance difference is what usually decides it — an annual sealing job in this climate is a real commitment.

Verified

What clients wrote on Google.

Reproduced exactly as published on the company's Google Business Profile. Read them on Google

We hired them to renovate our investment property and they provided exceptional quality service for an affordable price!

Shir Partush

Google review

Amazing job Did a total renovation of my house with them

Elie Elancry

Google review

After I've been Looking for a good company to renovate my house , I found those guys! These people are super professional super honest super Fast !! Don't hesitate to Rent their service! They are number one!!

carmit cohen

Google review

Very professional! From start to end- personal kind treatment, always respectful every espect of the work was clear, and fair. Value for money 10/10. Thank you guys, see you at our next project, hope others will be smart and do the same!

roni yonani

Google review

Redid my whole bathroom and kitchen. Great service - Great quality - very quick - very professional !! Highly recommended!

Adir Davidov

Google review

Needed remodeling of my master bathroom in my house. After calling around and dealing with a bunch of unexperienced companies I found Elbaz construction and gave them a call. Just from the ease of communication and friendly talk I've had with the owner I knew this was going to be the company I was going to hire. They came 2 days later and started remodeling my bathroom and knocked it out in a timely manner. Great service, great communication, and amazing work. Will definelty refer and reuse this company for any future remodeling I might need.

Itzick Manasherov

Google review

Their work was absolutely superb, they did a fantastic job with my house renovation!! Definitely recommend

Sophie Brito

Google review

Amazing experience with the entire company! They did a great job in my house for some work that needed to be completed, and I am extremely happy with the result. Super professional & great service. I highly recommend Elbaz Construction.

Mia Zafrani

Google review

I highly recommend them for home improvement. They renovated my master bathroom and a few upgrades for other guest bathrooms. They are very professional, courteous and transparent. They are great at communicating and finding ways to streamline the work. Sean has impeccable project management and customer relationship management skills. Very pleased with the work!

Omri B

Google review

They are amazing! Very professional. Met my exact requests with so much patience and knowledge. They renovated my whole house and the whole process was such a breeze. I highly recommend them!

Lee Morali

Google review

Project files

Composite steps and wood-look finishes.

Few of our photographs are pure decking, so each file says exactly what it shows: composite stairs, a dark wood deck, and wood-look ceilings on covered patios.

2Projects shown
10Photos
PROJECT 01

Collection: composite steps, wood-look patios

Photos from several Elbaz jobs, not one house. These three show covered patios with wood-look ceilings and gold columns, and one of them includes composite steps. The deck and stair photos from other jobs are in the finishes grid.

Scope of work

  • Composite stair treads and risers
  • Deck or balcony framing behind the boards
  • Wood-look ceiling on the covered patio
  • Columns carrying the patio roof
  • Transitions from stair to pool surround
  • Outdoor bar built into the covered area

Materials & finishes

Composite stair boardsWood-look ceiling panelsGold fluted columnsBlack glass doorsPorcelain tileOutdoor bar counter

What to look for in the photos

Look at the steps in the first photo, then at the ceilings in the others. The wood-look ceilings are covered-patio finishes, not deck boards, so judge the decking on the steps.

Collection: photos from several Elbaz Construction jobs · 3 photos

PROJECT 02

Illustration: from bare slab to composite deck

This illustration shows the idea, not an Elbaz job. It runs from a weathered concrete backyard slab beside a white house to a composite deck with steps, plus a lit paver seating area. Use it to picture the sequence.

Scope of work

  • Existing slab surveyed for level and cracks
  • Composite deck framed beside the patio
  • Steps built to meet the patio
  • Concrete area reserved for a sport court
  • Paver seating area with a fire pit
  • Landscape lighting along the paths

Materials & finishes

Composite deck boardsConcrete slabPaversStone fire pitLandscape lightingFrench doors

What to look for in the photos

Look at the before view first: bare slab, French doors and no deck. Then see how the finished view puts a deck with steps beside the same kind of door.

Illustration (AI-generated, not an Elbaz project) · 3 photos

Budget and schedule

Where a composite deck budget goes.

Typical shares and a typical order of work. Height, stairs and railings move both.

Where a typical composite deck budget goes

100%OF BUDGET
  • Composite boards and trim26%
  • Footings and framing22%
  • Railing and stairs14%
  • Labor26%
  • Fasteners and flashing6%
  • Permit and inspections6%

These are typical shares; stairs, height and railing choices move them.

A typical composite deck, week by week

Design & selections
Design
Permit review
Permit
Board and rail order
Order
Footings and framing
Decking, stairs, rails
Inspection and handover
Week 0Week 6Week 12

Board lead times and permit review set the pace; the build itself is short.

Drawn out

Boards, frames and falls, drawn.

Three drawings of the parts you do not see once the deck is finished.

WOODCOMPOSITEseal yearlywash, no sealingBOARD CHOICE IN SUN + SALT

Wood or composite boards

Wood and composite boards compared side by side: how each is made, how each moves with heat and moisture, and how each ages.

DECK BOARDS · HIDDEN FASTENERSJOISTS 12–16 in O.C.BEAM · POSTS · FOOTINGS

The frame under the boards

Footings, posts, a beam and joists carry every board. The drawing shows how load travels from the surface to the ground.

HOUSESLOPE AWAY 2%PATIO / DRIVEWAY GRADE

Ground that sheds water

The ground around a deck is graded to carry rain away from the house, so water does not collect under the boards or at the wall.

Scope planner

Sketch your deck in four answers.

Choose the closest option to see which trades are involved and a rough range of weeks on site.

How big is the deck?
How high off the ground?
What railing do you want?
Do you want lighting built in?

Finishes

Boards, steps and edges up close.

Four views from the work. Look at how stairs, deck edges and walking surfaces end, because that is where decking is won or lost.

Composite stair and balcony
Dark wood deck at pool
Spa and bar under pavilion
Illustration: lit paver walkway

More questions

Details that decide a deck.

Questions that come up after the first quote.

Ask us directly
Do composite boards need a gap between them?

Yes. Boards expand and shrink with heat, so they go down with a small gap along the sides and at the ends. The gap also lets rain drain through. Follow the manufacturer's spacing for the temperature on the day of installation. Hidden clips or stainless screws then hold each board without crushing the movement.

What railing works on a raised composite deck?

Pick a guard rated for code loads and fix its posts to blocking in the frame, not just to the surface boards. Aluminum, composite and glass systems all work. Salt air favors powder-coated or marine-grade hardware. The permit set shows the post spacing and the fasteners the inspector will check.

Why does a shaded composite deck get green spots?

Humidity, pollen and shade let mildew grow on the surface film, not in the board. It usually comes off with a soft brush, mild soap and water. Keep leaves swept, trim back plants that hold moisture against the boards, and leave the gap between boards open so debris can fall through.

What does a composite warranty usually leave out?

Read the exclusions before choosing a board. Many cover fading and staining but not mold, scratches or damage from furniture and grills. Some require installation by the manufacturer's rules, including spacing and framing centers. We build to those specifications and give you the paperwork, but we cannot promise terms the manufacturer has not written.

Can a townhome or condo patio take a new deck?

Often, but the association has a say. Expect to submit drawings, a color choice and a certificate of insurance before work starts. Some buildings limit weight or height on shared ground. We can prepare the plans and insurance certificate for your board, then start once approval and the building permit are both in hand.

Are composite boards in stock, or ordered by color?

Common colors are often available, but specialty colors, rails and stair parts can take weeks to arrive. During hurricane season supply can tighten. We confirm the lead time when you choose your selections, and we order only after the permit is approved so the boards do not wait in the garage.

Can lights be built into a composite deck?

Yes, and it is easiest before the boards go down. Low-voltage lights in stair risers, post caps and the fascia need cable runs and a transformer location planned in advance. An electrician connects the supply. Plan the lights while we frame the deck, so no cable has to be drilled through finished boards.

How do you handle a deck beside a salt-water pool?

Salt and chlorine attack metal faster than they attack composite. We use stainless fasteners and coated hardware, and we leave a drainage gap between the deck edge and the pool surround so water does not sit against the frame. Rinse the boards now and then to carry salt off the surface.

Schedule a Consultation (754) 236-0675

Start here

Send us the space.

A first conversation with a licensed general contractor. We will tell you what the substructure has to be before we talk about which board goes on it.

What happens after you send this

We read it and come back to arrange a site visit — usually within one working day.

What to have ready

Approximate dimensions, how high above grade, and what is there now.

What we will cover

Footings and substructure, board and railing options, how the deck meets the house, drainage, and whether a permit applies.

Prefer to talk it through first?

(754) 236-0675
  • Licensed, bonded and insured · CBC1265280
  • Substructure and boards under one contract
  • Sun–Fri 7am–7pm · Sat closed

Photo sequence — illustrated substructure and board stages, then completed Elbaz outdoor work

Illustrative and Elbaz photography — see captions

Preferred contact method

We use your details only to respond to this enquiry. No lists, no resale.

Thanks — that came through.

Your details are with us. A licensed general contractor will come back to you to arrange a site walk. If it is urgent, call (754) 236-0675.