For most homeowners here, yes — the upfront premium is usually offset by not having to reseal or restrain every year or two, and by not facing the termite and rot risk that shortens a wood deck's life in this climate. Composite warranties commonly run 25 to 50 years.

It can, particularly dark colors in full sun — noticeably more than lighter wood or lighter composite tones. Lighter and streaked color lines, reflective capstock technology, and pairing the deck with shade (like a pergola) all reduce this.

Yes — the permitting requirement is based on the deck's structure (height, size, attachment to the house), not the surface material. Composite decking doesn't change the structural or permitting scope of the project.

Modern capped composite and PVC decking resist fading and staining far better than first-generation uncapped composite, which was genuinely prone to mold staining. The protective cap layer keeps moisture and UV away from the core material.

Composite decking has a wood-fiber core wrapped in a protective plastic cap; PVC decking is fully synthetic with no wood content, making it lighter and especially well-suited to constantly wet or exposed conditions since there's no wood fiber to absorb moisture.

Many composite and PVC products carry warranties in the 25- to 50-year range, substantially longer than the 10-to-15-year realistic lifespan of well-maintained pressure-treated wood decking in this climate.

No — composite and PVC decking aren't a food source for termites, which is one of the primary reasons they're recommended over wood in a region with active subterranean termite pressure across Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach.

Very little compared to wood — periodic cleaning with soap and water, no staining or sealing ever required. It's a significant part of the value case for composite despite the higher upfront material cost.