How to Protect Your Outdoor Investment All Season Long

Winter in Illinois doesn’t play around — snow, ice, freezing temps, and the occasional “I can’t feel my face” wind chill. Thankfully, composite decking is designed to handle tough weather. Still, a little seasonal care goes a long way in keeping your deck looking great and performing at its best year after year.

Here’s everything you should know to keep your composite deck in top shape all winter long:

1. Clear Snow the Right Way

Snow buildup isn’t harmful to composite decking, but it can make the surface slippery and inconvenient. When clearing snow:

• Use a plastic shovel, never metal — metal can scratch the surface.
• Shovel with the grain of the decking boards to prevent catching an edge.
• Light, fluffy snow? A simple broom works perfectly.

Think of it as brushing your deck’s hair — be gentle, it appreciates it.

2. What to Use (and NOT Use) for Ice Removal

We get it — when the temps hit zero and your deck turns into an ice rink, you need a safe fix.

Best Choice:

 Calcium Chloride Ice Melt — safe for most composite decking and effective at lower temps.

Avoid:

 Rock salt (Sodium Chloride) — harsher and can leave stubborn residue.
 Sand — abrasive and can scratch the surface.
 Metal chisels or picks — your deck will file a complaint.

After the ice melts, give your deck a quick rinse when temps allow to remove leftover granules.

3. Keep Debris From Freezing In

Leaves, twigs, acorns — all the things that fall right after you just cleaned the deck. If debris freezes to the surface, it can trap moisture underneath.

A quick sweep before big snowfalls will prevent staining and keep the deck looking sharp through spring.

4. Furniture & Grill Tips

Your deck can handle the cold — your furniture, however, may not. A few reminders:

• Use pads or protectors under furniture legs to prevent scuffing when things slide around during thaw/freeze cycles.
• If your grill sits on the deck year-round, place a mat designed for composite decks underneath it.

Bonus: It also saves you from those “drip spots” you didn’t notice until April.

5. General Winter Safety Check

Winter is the season of freeze-thaw-freak-out cycles. A few things to keep an eye on:

• Railings secure?
• Stairs clear and grippy?
• No large ice dams forming in unusual spots?

If something doesn’t look right, snap a pic and send it our way — we’re happy to help you troubleshoot.

6. Don’t Worry — Composite Is Built for This

One of the biggest perks of a composite deck is that it doesn’t warp, rot, or crack like wood in winter. No sanding, no sealing, no weekend-long maintenance sessions. Just simple care and a few common-sense steps keep it looking great.

Thinking of a New Deck for Spring? Start Now.

Believe it or not, winter is the perfect time to start your design and planning. Our schedule fills up fast once the snow melts, and reaching out early guarantees your spot in our late-spring and summer lineup.

Your future-you will be out on your deck with a cold drink saying, “Wow, glad we planned this early.”