Composite decking runs hotter than wood in direct sun. In Georgia that is not a footnote — it decides which colour you should buy.
Why it happens
Composite is denser than timber and holds heat rather than shedding it. Wood also has air in its structure, which insulates. The difference on a July afternoon is real enough to notice through shoes.
Colour is the biggest lever
A light grey or tan board runs noticeably cooler than a dark brown or charcoal one. Manufacturers publish the numbers and the gap is wider than most people expect.
If the deck faces south or west with no shade, the colour choice matters more than the brand.
When it stops mattering
Covered decks, screened porches, and anywhere with afternoon shade from the house or trees. If the surface is not in direct sun at three in the afternoon, this is not a factor.
What we suggest
Get a sample board and leave it on the actual spot on a hot afternoon, then stand on it. Ten minutes of that tells you more than any specification sheet.
Deck construction covers both materials. Finished decks are on our Facebook page.
