--- title: "Deck Builder Los Angeles | Composite & Wood Decks" description: "Deck builder in Los Angeles for composite and wood decks, stairs and railings, new or replacing an old deck. CSLB-licensed; LA, Orange and Riverside counties." url: "https://alphadreamconstructionca.com/decks-composite-wood/" --- # Deck Builder in Los Angeles: Composite and Wood Decks Alpha Dream Construction is a deck builder in Los Angeles: we design and build composite and wood decks, stairs and railings, and replace worn decks, for homes across LA County, the San Fernando Valley, Orange County and Riverside County. Our California contractor license is CSLB #1145233 (class B). Call or send the form to book an appointment. Building Legacies with Precision, Passion, and Purpose. - [Home](https://alphadreamconstructionca.com/) - Decks (composite/wood) [Deck Design & Planning](https://alphadreamconstructionca.com/contact-us/) [Custom Composite & Wood Decks](https://alphadreamconstructionca.com/contact-us/) [Enhancements for Outdoor Living](https://alphadreamconstructionca.com/contact-us/) [High-End Outdoor Finishes & Detailing](https://alphadreamconstructionca.com/contact-us/) ## Elevating Outdoor Living with Style and Durability A beautiful deck is more than an extension of your home, it’s where memories are made. At Alpha Dream Construction, we design and build high-quality decks in both composite and natural wood to suit your lifestyle. Whether you want a modern, low-maintenance composite deck or the classic warmth of wood, our team ensures precision, durability, and style. From concept to completion, we create decks that add value, enhance outdoor living, and stand strong against time and weather. ### Why Alpha Dream Construction is Best for Deck Building? - Custom designs for every lifestyle - High-grade wood & composite options - Skilled craftsmanship, detail-focused work - On-time builds with smooth process - Proven track record, happy homeowners [Book An Appointment](https://alphadreamconstructionca.com/contact-us/) ## Composite or Wood Decking: How Do They Compare? The boards are what you see and walk on; the frame under them is what decides how long the deck stays solid. ### Composite boards Plastic composite boards must meet ASTM D7032 and carry a label with their allowable load and maximum span (section R507.2.2). They do not need sanding or staining the way wood does; ask the maker how hot a dark color gets in full sun. ### Wood boards Redwood, cedar or pressure-treated lumber give a natural grain and can be refinished. Wood decking is fastened to every joist with at least two 8d deformed-shank nails or two No. 8 wood screws (section R507.7). ### The frame underneath Deck framing is sawn lumber of No. 2 grade or better, protected from decay (section R507.2.1). Joist spacing follows the boards: for composite deck installation it comes from the board's label, and for 5/4 wood boards crossing three or more joists the code allows 16 inches on center laid square to the joists but 12 inches laid diagonally; boards that span only two joists are limited to 12 and 8 inches (Table R507.7). ### Railings Cable, metal picket and wood railings shape the view from the deck. Composite railings must meet ASTM D7032 like composite boards (section R507.2.2), and any railing must stop a 4-inch sphere from passing (section R321.1.3). Gray composite deck with black posts and horizontal cable railing beside a house Wood deck with wide wood steps stepping down a sloped backyard From our projects: a composite deck with cable railing (left) and wood deck steps on a slope (right). ## When Does a Deck Need a Permit and Railings? These rules come from the 2025 California Residential Code and Wildland-Urban Interface Code; Los Angeles and other cities adopt them with local amendments, so the rules for your address are the last word. ### The small-deck exemption A deck is exempt from a building permit only when it is 200 square feet or less, no more than 30 inches above grade at any point, not attached to the house and not serving the required exit door (section R105.2). Most attached decks need a permit. ### When railings are required Guards are required where the deck surface is more than 30 inches above the ground within 36 inches of its edge (section R321.1.1), and their openings must not let a 4-inch sphere pass (section R321.1.3). ### Fire hazard zones On a lot in a fire hazard severity zone, the walking surface must be a tested, ignition-resistant, fire-retardant-treated or noncombustible material, with 6 inches of metal flashing where the deck meets the wall (sections 504.7.3 and 504.7.3.1). ### Decks over living space A balcony or roof deck with a room under it is a waterproofing job as much as a deck; see our [deck waterproofing](https://alphadreamconstructionca.com/waterproof-deck/) page for those membranes and coatings. ## What Makes a Deck Last: The Build Under the Boards These are the code points under the boards to check on any deck plan. 1. Footings and postsDecks stand on concrete footings or another approved system sized for their loads (section R507.3), and the footing excavation is inspected before concrete is placed (section R109.1.1). 2. Ledger and attachmentAn attached deck must be positively anchored to the house for vertical and lateral loads, never with toenails or nails that can pull out (section R507.8). A deck ledger cannot hang on stone or masonry veneer (section R507.9.1.1), and the wall's water-resistive barrier runs behind it (section R703.2). 3. Fasteners and flashingNails, bolts and connectors are hot-dip galvanized, stainless, or another listed finish such as silicon bronze or copper; within 300 feet of a salt water shoreline they must be stainless steel (Table R507.2.3). Flashing is corrosion-resistant metal or an approved compatible material (section R507.2.4). 4. Boards, stairs and railingWood boards are fastened to every joist with at least two 8d deformed-shank nails or two No. 8 screws (section R507.7); composite boards follow the maker's instructions (section R507.2.2.5). ## What Changes the Price of a New Deck? ### Height and stairs Once the surface is more than 30 inches above the ground near its edge, railings are required (section R321.1.1), and a high deck also needs taller posts and longer stairs. ### Board pattern Diagonal or picture-frame boards mean more cuts and, for wood, closer joists (Table R507.7), so the pattern changes framing and labor, not just looks. ### Railing length and type Measure the open sides: every foot of open edge over 30 inches high needs a guard whose openings stop a 4-inch sphere (section R321.1.3), and a composite railing must carry a label with its maximum span (section R507.2.2.1). ### The old deck Keeping an old frame only works if its attachment meets today's rules: positive anchorage to the house without toenails (section R507.8) and a ledger not hung on veneer (section R507.9.1.1). Otherwise it is torn out and hauled away. ### Permit and plans Only a small, low, detached deck is exempt (section R105.2); for any other, check that the drawings, the permit and the inspections are in the quote. ## Decks That Work With the Rest of the Yard A deck usually meets a patio, a lawn or a roof. These are three of our decks and what sits next to them; the paving side is on our [hardscape](https://alphadreamconstructionca.com/hardscape/) page. Gray composite deck with a picture-frame border next to a paver patio Composite deck beside a paver patio Low composite deck with a cable railing section, steps down to artificial turf and a stone walkway Low deck with cable railing beside turf Wood deck with wood railing under an attached wood patio roof Wood deck with an attached patio roof ## How we work ## Our Seamless Process for Exceptional Remodeling Results From the first conversation to the final walkthrough, our process is built to make your remodeling experience smooth, stress-free, and personalized to your vision. With expert guidance, thoughtful planning, and precise execution, we ensure every step brings you closer to your dream home. 01 ### Consultation: Understanding Your Vision We start with a conversation to understand your goals, design preferences, and budget. This helps us capture your vision clearly from day one. 02 ### Plan & Design: Crafting Your Dream Our design team creates a customized plan, selecting layouts, materials, and finishes that perfectly fit your lifestyle and taste. 03 ### Build: Precision in Every Detail Our craftsmen bring the plan to life, focusing on quality, safety, and attention to detail, so your remodel stands the test of time. 04 ### Final Walkthrough: Ensuring Perfection We review the finished project together, making sure every detail is flawless and that you’re thrilled with the results. ## What People Think About Us Based on **Reviews** The team at Alpha Dream Construction is absolutely amazing! We hired them for a full kitchen remodel and they went above and beyond. Very responsive, professional, and truly care about making the client happy. Mark Ellison Mark Ellison From start to finish, Alpha Dream delivered exactly what we wanted. Great communication, quality work, and they actually finished ahead of schedule. That’s rare in construction! Andrew Miller Andrew Miller Alpha Dream Construction completely transformed our backyard into a luxury outdoor living space. The craftsmanship is top-notch and the whole process was stress-free. Highly recommend this team. Sandra Wu Sandra Wu Excellent work on our bathroom remodel! The finishes look amazing and the team was always on time. Will definitely use them again for future projects. Sarah Johnson Sarah Johnson Alpha Dream Construction did an amazing job on our siding! The team was professional, quick, and the results transformed our home. Excellent quality and great service, highly recommend them for any siding project! Liam Smith Liam Smith Alpha Dream Construction is the real deal. Honest pricing, skilled team, and they treated our home with respect. Couldn’t be happier with the results. Jessica Carter Jessica Carter ## Deck Building Questions ### Can composite boards go on my old deck frame? Sometimes. The frame has to be sound, with no soft wood at the ledger or posts, and its joists have to be no farther apart than the composite board label allows. Where they are wider, joists are added between them. ### Can you build a deck on a slope? Yes. On a sloped yard the deck stands on taller posts, with each concrete footing sized to carry its share of the load to the ground (section R507.3), or it steps down the hill in levels. ### Repair the deck or replace it? A few split or cupped boards are a repair. Soft wood at the ledger, posts or joists, a railing that moves when pushed, or a frame spaced too wide for new boards points to rebuilding the frame. ### Is composite decking fire-rated? Every composite deck board must have a flame spread index of 200 or less in the ASTM E84 test (section R507.2.2.2). In a fire hazard zone the decking must also pass the Wildland-Urban Interface Code tests (section 504.7.3); ask the building department whether your address is in a zone. ### Do you build decks in the San Fernando Valley? Yes, in Sherman Oaks, Van Nuys, Encino, Studio City, North Hollywood, Tarzana and Woodland Hills, and across the rest of LA County, Orange County and Riverside County. A new deck often comes with a [patio cover](https://alphadreamconstructionca.com/patio-covers/) over it and new [landscaping](https://alphadreamconstructionca.com/landscape/) around it. To plan yours, [tell us the size of the deck you want](https://alphadreamconstructionca.com/contact-us/) and book an appointment.