One of the most common questions we hear in the summer is: “How do I keep my composite deck from getting too hot?”
We’ve built and tested countless decks here at Cascade Fence & Deck, and we’ve learned a lot about how decking materials respond to heat. While composite decking has many benefits such as low maintenance, resistance to mold and mildew, and long-term durability. It’s no secret that it can heat up in direct sun. With the right strategies we’ve found you can keep your deck much more comfortable even on the hottest days.
How Hot Can Composite Decking Get?
We ran a temperature test on our own Deckorators composite deck last summer for some concrete data. On a day when the air temperature was just 78°F, we measured:
Lightest color board: 167°F
Dark brown board: 190°F
Black board: 200°F
This is similar to when you touch a black car versus a white car in the sun, darker colors absorb more heat, while lighter colors reflect it. That’s why the color of your deck is one of the biggest factors in how hot it feels.
5 Ways to Cool Down a Hot Composite Deck
Here are the most effective strategies we’ve used and recommended to customers:
1. Provide Shade
Shade is hands-down the most reliable way to lower your deck’s surface temperature.
Some options we recommend:
Pergolas or patio covers
Large umbrellas
Strategically placed trees or plants
Shade can drop the temperature of your deck boards by 15–30°F, depending on the intensity of the sun.
2. Use Outdoor Rugs
Outdoor rugs not only look great, but they also protect your feet. We recommend placing rugs in high-traffic areas or near doors where you’re most likely to walk barefoot. As a bonus we’ve also found that rugs can protect your deck’s surface from scratches and scuffs.
3. Misting a Composite Deck
A portable misting system or even a garden hose with a spray setting can provide quick relief. Misting cools the air and lightly dampens the deck surface, which can drop the board temperature almost immediately.
4. Choose a Lighter Decking Color
If you’re building a new deck or replacing boards, opt for a lighter shade. Based on our tests, the difference between a light board and a dark board can be over 30°F on the same day.
This is especially important for sunny, south-facing decks.
5. Go Mineral-Based Composite
Not all composite decks hold heat the same way. Deckorators Voyage, made from mineral-based composite, retains less heat than traditional wood-plastic composites.
Mineral based composite boards are less dense, so they cool down faster.
They’re also more dimensionally stable, meaning less expansion and contraction in extreme temperatures.
We’ve found MBC decking to be one of the best options for decks in direct sunlight.
Tips for Pool Decks
If your composite deck surrounds a pool, you’ve got a built-in cooling solution with water. We’ve found that before walking across the deck, dipping your feet in the pool or splashing a little water in the path you plan to walk works great. It’s a quick, easy way to make the surface feel instantly cooler.
The Bottom Line
Yes, composite decks can get hot — but they don’t have to be uncomfortably so. By combining shade, rugs, misting, and material choices, you can create a deck that’s comfortable to use even on the warmest afternoons. And if you’re starting fresh, choosing a light-colored mineral-based composite like Deckorators Voyage will give you a cooler, longer-lasting surface from the start.