Owner-operated · Homeowner guide · Marietta
What to Know Before Choosing Composite Decking in MariettaMarietta · Cobb County
Marietta: Composite boards look simple on a sample table, but the deck underneath them has to suit your lot, your sun and your slope. Owner-operated, with a free written estimate.
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Homeowner guide · Marietta
What should a Marietta homeowner know before choosing composite decking?
Here is how an owner-operated builder thinks it through for homes in and around Marietta.
- Breno, the owner, measures and writes your estimate
- 10+ years of combined team experience
- General liability insurance
- 5.0 stars from 31 Google reviews as of Nov 2026
- Real before-and-after photos from our own jobs
Marietta
Is composite a good fit for my Marietta lot?
Start with the ground and the light, because boards are only the top layer of the decision. Marietta sits on rolling, wooded ground, so a backyard near Cobb Parkway can look very different from one tucked behind older in-town homes close to Marietta Square. Some lots are flat enough for a simple platform, while others fall away quickly and need taller framing. Composite can suit a shaded yard where wood tends to stay damp and grow mildew, but it is not the answer to every problem. We look at how you actually use the space before talking material.
Composite boards also behave differently from wood in sun. Darker colors can get hot underfoot on a bright afternoon, and a south-facing deck may call for a lighter shade or a bit of planning for shade cloth or an umbrella. Boards also expand and contract with temperature, so the spacing and fastening method matter more than most people expect. If the deck will serve a grill, a dining table and kids running barefoot, those details deserve attention. A material that looks great in a showroom can feel very different on your own back door in July.
Marietta
How do slope and trees change the framing?
A sloped lot changes everything beneath the boards. When the ground drops away from the back door, the deck may need tall posts, bracing and stairs that land on stable footing. Water running downhill can wash soil away from footings, so we watch where it goes during and after rain. Homes off South Marietta Parkway and in other wooded parts of town can have uneven ground, roots and rock just below the surface. Composite boards are only as sound as the structure holding them, so the frame comes first, and we would rather talk about footings than colors at the start.
Mature trees help in summer, but they shape the deck in other ways. Falling leaves, pollen and needles settle in the gaps between boards and can hold moisture against the framing. A tight, leaf-heavy deck tends to need regular sweeping and an occasional rinse, even with composite on top. Shade can also slow drying, which is part of why homeowners consider composite in the first place. We talk through how much cleanup you are willing to do, because a low-maintenance surface still asks for some care. The framing below it, especially if it is wood, can still weather, so we plan access for inspection and repair later.
How it works
Five steps. No surprises.
Call, text, or send the form
Tell us what is going on: a new deck, a repair, or “not sure yet.” We reply the same day.
Free on-site visit
Breno looks at the deck or the yard himself, measures, and goes over your options with you.
Written estimate
Scope, materials and price come in writing, so you know the plan before anything starts.
Schedule and permits
We agree on a start date and confirm any city, county or HOA requirement for your address first.
Build and final walk-through
Breno is on the job, and we go over the finished work with you before we call it done.
Real B&T work
Photos from real jobs
Real photos from B&T projects in North Georgia, not necessarily from Marietta.
Marietta
What does Breno check at the visit?
Breno visits in person, walks the yard and looks at the whole picture rather than just taking a quick measurement. We check how the existing deck, if there is one, is attached to the house, whether the framing is sound enough to keep, and where water collects. Around older in-town homes near the Marietta History Center, original wood structures sometimes show their age at the ledger, the posts or the stair stringers. If the old frame is tired, putting new composite on top of it would be a poor trade. We tell you honestly what can stay and what should be replaced.
The visit also covers sun direction, tree cover, the path from the driveway to the backyard and where materials can be staged. We think about doors and windows, grill placement, furniture and where people naturally walk. A railing and stair plan comes next, since those pieces affect both safety and appearance. We also ask how long you plan to stay in the house, which helps decide whether to build for a long haul or keep the scope modest. Nothing is rushed, and you can ask questions on the spot. Afterward we put what we saw into a written estimate.
Marietta
What should I have ready before the visit?
A little preparation makes the visit far more useful. Gather any photos of the current deck, especially close shots of the posts, stairs and the place where the deck meets the house. If you have a survey, plat or older plans for the property, set them out, since they help with property lines and setbacks. Think about what bothers you today, whether it is splinters, soft boards, mildew or a deck that is simply too small. Whether you live near The Big Chicken or out toward Kennesaw, East Cobb or Acworth, the same preparation helps.
Also write down how you use the space and what you wish you could do there. Do you cook outside, host large gatherings, want a screened section or need a gentler staircase? Know who in the household has opinions on color and railing style, because that saves a second visit. Find out whether your neighborhood has an HOA and, if so, ask the association about its process for exterior changes. We also confirm with you whether the City of Marietta or Cobb County handles your address, since that depends on exactly where the parcel sits.
Get a fast estimate
Marietta
What should a free written estimate spell out?
A good estimate lets you compare one builder with another without guessing. Ours is free and in writing, and it should describe the scope clearly: what is being removed, what is being rebuilt, the framing approach, the footing plan, and the decking and railing materials by type and color. It should say what happens with old lumber and debris, how stairs are handled and what is not included. Anything that depends on what we find after demolition, such as rotted framing, should be called out plainly instead of buried. If a line is vague, ask us to make it specific.
The estimate should also lay out the permit and approval steps. Addresses inside Marietta city limits go through the City of Marietta, while nearby unincorporated addresses go through Cobb County, so we confirm the right office with you before work is scheduled. If an HOA has a say, we want its approval timing built into the schedule. Homes near Marietta Square may have extra review, and we check what applies to your parcel before the estimate is written. Please confirm the details with the city, county or association yourself too, because rules depend on your address.
Straight answers
Marietta homeowner questions
Will composite boards stay cool on a sunny Marietta backyard deck?
Not always. Composite can get quite warm in direct sun, especially in darker colors, and an open, south-facing deck feels it most. We talk about lighter shades, partial shade from a pergola or umbrella, and where people will walk barefoot. Trees on the lot may help, so we look at the light during the visit.
Can new composite boards go over my old wood frame?
Sometimes, but only if the frame is sound. We check the posts, beams, joists and the connection to the house. If the structure is soft, rotted or poorly attached, it should be repaired or replaced first, because the new surface will only last as long as what holds it up. We explain what we find honestly.
How do falling leaves affect a composite deck under oak and pine trees?
Leaves and needles can collect between boards and hold moisture, which may lead to mildew or stains on any material. Regular sweeping and an occasional gentle rinse usually keep things tidy. We can also plan board spacing and access underneath so debris is easier to clear on a wooded Marietta lot.
Is a deck near Cobb Parkway or South Marietta Parkway any different to build?
The road name alone does not change the build. What matters is your own lot, including slope, drainage, shade and access for materials. We use those roads only as a way to find you. Your parcel's exact location decides which office handles permits, and we confirm that with you first.
Should I fix my steep stairs when I replace the decking?
Usually yes, if the stairs feel steep, wobble or land on soft ground. New boards on tired stairs make little sense. We look at the stringers, the landing and the railing as part of the same visit and include them in the written estimate so nothing surprises you later.
What if my house is an older home near Marietta Square?
Older homes can have original wood decks, odd attachment details and unusual layouts. We inspect closely and explain what can be saved. Homes near the Square may also have extra review, so we check what applies to your parcel and suggest you confirm with the city or any association involved.
Can you build a screened porch or railing along with composite decking?
Yes. We build decks, screened porches, railings and stairs, and we can plan them together so the finished space looks consistent. Combining the work in one written estimate also makes the schedule clearer. We talk through how you want to use the space and then outline each part separately.
Do you serve homes outside Marietta, like Kennesaw or Acworth?
Yes. We work in north Atlanta and around Cobb County, including Kennesaw, East Cobb and Acworth. Tell us your address when you call and Breno will arrange a visit. Which permit office applies depends on the exact parcel, so we confirm that before scheduling any work.
Verified Google reviews
What the neighbors are saying
These are verified Google reviews from B&T customers.
★★★★★
“Breno F. is an incredible man. He helped my aging mother when no one else would and went the extra mile with a complex home repair. His work is meticulous and his follow through is commendable. He is a good man with a great heart. Highly recommended!”
★★★★★
“The quality of the work was exceptional. The team was friendly, responsive, and made sure everything was done right. I would definitely recommend B&T Properties.”
Who’s doing the work
About B&T Properties
You deal with the owner. Breno visits, quotes and oversees the work, and the crew brings more than ten years of deck experience between them. B&T carries General Liability insurance, and Marietta is part of our regular service area.
Upgrades
Make it yours: popular upgrades
Ask about any of these when Breno comes out for your free estimate. They are easiest to price in when we plan the project, not after it is built.
Lighting
Stair and post lights that make evenings outside safer and nicer.
Multi-level layouts
A split-level layout that works with the lay of your lot instead of fighting it.
Stairs and landings
Stairs that are easier to use: more width, a mid-level landing, or a better path to the yard.
Composite decking
Low-maintenance boards in a range of colors, priced next to wood so you can compare.
Written warranty
1-year workmanship warranty
For 12 months after we finish, B&T Properties stands behind its labor in writing. A problem traced to how we built or repaired it is corrected at no cost. Excluded: defective materials, age-related wear, weather events, improper use, missing maintenance, and anyone else’s repairs. Put your claim in writing.
Free written estimate
Tell Breno about your Marietta deck — free and in writing.
No call center, no sales rep — the person who answers is the person who does the work.