If you live in Allendale, Michigan, you’ve probably noticed how quickly the area has grown in the past few years. With so many beautiful homes being built, many homeowners eventually start asking the same question:
“What type of deck should we build?”
At Construction Kings, we talk with homeowners throughout Allendale about deck options almost every day. Most people ask us the same three questions:
Is composite decking worth the cost?
What would you put on your own deck?
How long will a composite deck last compared to wood?
Those are great questions. When helping customers decide, we always explain three important things:
Initial Cost Differences
Future Cost Differences
How Long the Structure Will Last
Initial Cost Differences
There is no question that composite and PVC decking cost more upfront than traditional wood decking.
For example, a 16-foot wood deck board can cost about a quarter of what a composite board costs. Aluminum railings also cost more than basic wood railings.
However, at Construction Kings we typically avoid installing vinyl railings. In our experience, they do not have the same lateral strength as wood or aluminum railings. Safety is extremely important to us, especially on elevated decks where strong railings matter most.
Because of that, we usually recommend:
Composite Deck Boards
PVC Deck Boards
Aluminum Railings
Composite and PVC boards also require more precision during installation. That means they can take a little longer to install correctly, which contributes to the higher upfront cost.
Future Cost Differences
While wood decks cost less initially, they often cost much more over time.
Composite and PVC decks require very little maintenance. Most homeowners simply wash their deck with a garden hose a few times per year to keep it looking great.
Wood decks are different.
After about one or two years, wood decks usually require:
Full deck cleaning or power washing
New stain or sealer applied to the entire deck
Occasional board replacement
High-quality deck stain can be expensive, especially on larger decks. The labor involved in cleaning and staining every year can also add up quickly.
If wood decks are not maintained regularly, they can develop:
Rot
Splitting boards
Loose railings
Structural safety concerns
Even with proper care, most wood decks last around 20–25 years. Over that time, the total maintenance costs can sometimes surpass the cost of installing composite decking from the start.
How Long Will the Deck Structure Last?
The framing underneath your deck is just as important as the deck boards themselves.
Traditional wood decks often last around 15–25 years before major repairs or rebuilding become necessary. One of the most common failure points is the deck posts because they sit directly in the ground and deal with constant moisture.
At Construction Kings, we take extra steps to extend the life of our decks.
When building composite or PVC decks, we include:
Post Saver rot protection sleeves for posts
Joist tape to protect the tops of framing members
Proper structural spacing for long-term strength
These extra steps help ensure our decks last 25–35 years or longer when properly maintained.
Deck Materials We Recommend
After installing many different products over the years, we have found a few materials that perform especially well in Michigan’s climate.
For homeowners looking for premium PVC decking, we often recommend Clubhouse PVC Decking.
It offers excellent durability, moisture resistance, and beautiful wood-grain finishes.
For railings, we often install aluminum systems from Ultralox Railing Systems.
These railings provide strong structural performance while maintaining a modern, clean appearance.
Deck Builders Serving Allendale, Michigan
Allendale has become one of our favorite areas to build decks. With so many new homes and growing neighborhoods, homeowners are looking for outdoor spaces that will last for decades.
Our goal at Construction Kings is simple:
Build decks that homeowners never have to worry about again.
We focus on quality craftsmanship, premium materials, and building outdoor spaces that families can enjoy for many years.
Thinking About Building a Deck in Allendale?
If you’re considering a new deck, deck rebuild, or upgrading to composite decking, our team would be happy to help.
Why Clubhouse PVC Decking Is Ideal for Grand Haven Homes
Living in Grand Haven means dealing with moisture, wind, and heavy lake-effect snow. Because of that, your deck material matters more here than in many other areas.
That is exactly why we recommend Clubhouse PVC decking for lakeshore homes. It is built to handle West Michigan weather.
Built for Moisture Near Lake Michigan
First, Clubhouse PVC boards do not absorb water. Unlike wood, they will not swell or rot. As a result, they perform extremely well in damp environments.
No internal mold growth
No water absorption
No soft spots over time
Clubhouse PVC deck installed in Grand Haven near the lakeshore.
Cooler Surface in Summer
In addition, many homeowners notice that PVC boards stay cooler than traditional composite. Therefore, they are more comfortable for bare feet during summer months.
Long-Term Durability
Freeze and thaw cycles can destroy traditional decking. However, PVC handles expansion and contraction much better. Because of that, it lasts longer in lakeshore climates.
If you are searching for deck builders near me or a deck builder in Grand Haven MI, Construction Kings installs premium Clubhouse PVC decks across the lakeshore area.
If you have been searching for Harmony Hand Railing, you may have noticed the name looks different.
That is because the company has rebranded. It is now known as UltraLocks Railing Systems.
However, this is only a name change. The product itself remains the same.
So if you liked Harmony Hand Railing before, you are looking at the same system today under the UltraLocks name.
What Changed — and What Did Not
First, the structure and materials did not change.
The powder-coated aluminum system is still built for strength and durability.
In addition, the clean modern design remains the same.
Same aluminum construction
Same locking rail system
Same low-maintenance finish
Same compatibility with composite decks
In short, Harmony Hand Railing is now UltraLocks. Nothing more.
Why Aluminum Railing Works So Well in Grand Haven
Decks near Lake Michigan deal with wind, moisture, and snow.
Because of this, material choice matters.
For example, wood railing can rot or warp over time.
Aluminum, on the other hand, resists rust and does not require staining.
As a result, homeowners in Grand Haven often prefer aluminum systems.
No sealing required
No painting
No rust
Minimal maintenance
UltraLocks aluminum railing installed on a composite deck in West Michigan.
UltraLocks Railing on Composite Decks
Most of our projects in West Michigan use composite or PVC decking.
Therefore, pairing them with aluminum railing creates a clean and long-lasting system.
In addition, the slim balusters and smooth finish give decks a more modern look.
Because of that, many homeowners choose this upgrade when building a new deck.
Modern composite deck paired with UltraLocks railing.
Looking for a Deck Builder in Grand Haven?
If you are searching for:
Deck builder Grand Haven MI
Deck builders near me
UltraLocks railing installer
Harmony Hand Railing replacement
Construction Kings LLC installs composite decks and aluminum railing systems across
Grand Haven, Holland, Jenison, and surrounding West Michigan areas.
To sum it up, Harmony Hand Railing is now UltraLocks Railing.
The name changed, but the system did not.
If you are planning a new deck or upgrading your railing in Grand Haven,
aluminum systems like UltraLocks offer strength, durability, and a clean modern finish.
A lot of people tend to ask the question of should I choose to go with composite deck boards and aluminum railings, and that’s a good question. When I am talking to a customer about the pros and cons of composite/pvc they always ask the questions:
“ What would you put on your deck? ”
“ Do you think composite is worth the cost? ”
“ How much longer do you think a composite deck would last versus a standard wood deck? “
When asked those 3 questions which occur with nearly every customer I talk to I also talk about 3 main topics. – 1.Initial Cost Differences 2.Future Cost Differences 3. How long will the framing last
Initial Cost Differences:
The Initial cost of composite decking is always going to be significantly more expensive. The cost of a 16’ wood deck board is about a quarter of the cost of a 16’ composite board. Not to mention the cost of Aluminum Railings can be significant as well. We do not typically offer vinyl railings due to the weak lateral forces they don’t tend to have like wood or Aluminum does. We only install products we can back and trust with our fully confidence to keep the kids safe especially on decks that are higher up. The Composite & PVC boards are similar in price as well. It all comes down to how you want your dream deck to lock. The Composite/PVC Boards take a little bit more time to install due to the precision they are to be installed at
Future Cost Differences:
Believe it or not the cost of wood and Composite/PVC decks could be about the same after some time, Here why: While the initial cost of Composite/PVC are more, I always talk about the Future cost. After you place composite or PVC boards down with aluminum railing you don’t need to do any yearly maintenance, just give them a couple of garden hose washes throughout the year and your good to go. But on the wood side, after about a year or 2.
Customers usually have to stain their entire deck and railings every spring to keep the wood quality long lasting. This can be costly of not only the stain which can be pricey for higher quality ones/bigger decks but also the labor cost of cleaning your deck with a power washer to remove all the dirt/mildew and applying the new stain to ensure it covers all exposed areas of the deck well. Any parts missed with the new stain will rot out quicker than the rest of the deck and the decks that don’t get wash yearly can develop wood rotting and splitting within 5 years causing danger to any people who may use the deck with framing failures and splinters. – – – Wood decks can last about 20-25 years with proper care which can really add up throughout the years, sometimes surpassing the cost of a composite/PVC deck.
How long will the framing last:
I’ve seen well taken care of wood decks usually last around 15-25 years before the boards start to rot out or the framing starts to fail. Usually the first thing to go bad is the post because they are in contact with the ground. But with our Composite/PVC Decks you could expect to get 25-35 years so you better make sure you like the colors you choose. We do things different over here at Construction Kings, With all Composite/PVC decks we build, we seal the post with Post Saver ROT Protection to ensure they will last through the toughest soils. On top of the joist we use joist tape to prevent the tops from getting moldy from the elements.
For our Composite Deck boards we like to go with Trex, and for our PVC Deck boards we prefer a brand like Clubhouse or a high end brand called Millboard decking. For the railing we like to use Harmony Railing, They product the best options on the market for aluminum railing and our customers love not only how they look but how strong and sturdy they are when installed correctly. To view our Deck boards and Railing, Click here
