The Alpine Grey Porch: Composite Deck and Screened Porch in Apex, NC

A deck replacement on a raised porch is a different job from a ground-level deck. The boards, railings and stairs all sit a full story above the yard, and the covered porch has to stay tied into the house the whole time. This fall we took the worn wood surfaces off a two-level porch and deck behind a home in the Providence at Yates Pond neighborhood of Apex and rebuilt them in composite, with new black railings, new stairs and a fully screened porch. When it was done, the homeowner, Pete K., gave the project 5 stars on Google and summed it up as “from tear down to finish we got a great outcome.” Below is how the project went, with photos from our CompanyCam project file.

Project at a glance

Location: Providence at Yates Pond, Apex, NC
Scope: Tear-off and replacement of the decking, railings and stairs on a raised covered porch and open deck, plus screening the covered porch
Material: MoistureShield Elevate composite decking in Alpine Grey, with black railings
Planning: Site visit on July 31, 2026
Construction: Tear-down began October 9; new composite boards were down on the open deck by October 11
Finish: Finished-project photos taken October 20, 2026
Review: 5 out of 5 stars on Google

The Before: A Raised Porch With Tired Wood Surfaces

Back of a two-story gray home in Apex, NC with an elevated covered porch, an open deck and white wood railings and stairs before a composite deck replacement — Before: the covered porch and open deck sat a full story up, with white wood railings and a long wood staircase to the yard.

The back of the house had a covered porch with a ceiling fan on the left and an open deck on the right, both raised a full story above the lawn. White wood railings ran around both, and a long wood staircase came down to the yard. The structure under the porch roof was in place and the family used the space every day. The surfaces on top were what needed attention.

Old painted wood deck boards and white wood railing on the open grilling deck of an Apex home before composite decking was installed — The open deck by the sliding door: painted wood boards and white wood railings.

Painted and stained wood on an open deck takes the full force of North Carolina sun and rain. The finish wears through first where people walk, and the railings need fresh paint every few years to keep looking clean. Pete wanted surfaces that would hold their color without that cycle, and a porch that kept bugs out so the family could use it from spring through fall. If you are weighing the same question on your own deck, our guide on how to know it is time to replace your deck covers the signs we look for.

Choosing Composite for a Porch That Gets Used Every Day

The new decking is MoistureShield Elevate in Alpine Grey, a cool gray that matches the siding and trim on the house. As a MoistureShield MVP installer, we provide a 30-year fade and stain warranty on Elevate. Composite decking typically lasts 30 to 50 years with only periodic cleaning, so there is no sanding, staining or painting on the schedule for this porch.

The railings changed too. White wood railings gave way to black railings with slim balusters, which are easier to see through from the porch furniture and need no repainting. Our post on safety railings covers how railing choices affect both the look and the safety of a raised deck.

Tear-Down Day

Elevated covered porch in Apex, NC with the old wood railings removed and a ladder against the deck during a composite deck replacement tear-down — October 9: the old railings are coming off and the tear-down is underway.

Tear-down started on October 9. A dumpster went out front, and the crew began removing the old railings, deck boards and stairs. On a raised porch, every piece of old material comes down a full story, so the crew works in sections and keeps the yard below clear as they go.

Deck framing exposed under a covered porch in Apex, NC after the old wood deck boards were removed for a composite deck replacement — With the old boards off, the framing under the covered porch is exposed.

Taking the boards off is also the best look anyone gets at a deck’s framing. Every deck we build goes above minimum code requirements, with stronger framing, better fasteners and joist tape on every deck. Joist tape is a waterproof barrier applied to the top of the joists before the boards go down. It protects the screw holes from moisture, which matters even more under composite boards that will last for decades.

New Composite Boards and Black Railings

New gray MoistureShield Elevate composite deck boards installed on an elevated open deck beside a sliding glass door in Apex, NC — October 11: Alpine Grey composite boards down on the open deck, with railings still to come.

By October 11, the new composite boards were down on the open deck. A picture-frame border runs along the outside edge, which gives the deck a finished look from the yard and hides the board ends. Railings and the new stairs went in next, followed by the screen system on the covered porch.

Screening In the Covered Porch

Finished screened porch in Apex, NC with gray composite decking, black railings, white columns and a ceiling fan overlooking a wooded backyard — October 20: the finished screened porch with composite flooring and black railings.

The covered porch already had a roof, columns and a ceiling fan, which made it a natural fit for screens. Screening an existing covered porch costs significantly less than building a new screened porch from the ground up, because the roof and structure are already there. Screens are our default recommendation when a homeowner wants to enclose a covered porch, and the screen systems we use allow panels to be removed for maintenance or future changes.

Open composite deck with outdoor chairs next to a screened porch wall and screen door at a home in Apex, NC — The open deck and the new screen wall side by side, with a screen door between them.

The layout now gives the family two spaces. The screened side holds the dining table and seating out of the bugs, and the open deck by the sliding door stays in the sun for the grill and a pair of chairs.

Black screen door with a built-in pet door on a screened porch with gray composite decking in Apex, NC — The screen door includes a built-in pet door.

One detail made a big difference for this family: the screen door has a pet door built into the bottom panel. Their dog can come and go between the screened porch and the deck without anyone propping the door open and letting the bugs in.

The Finished Porch and Deck

Finished elevated screened porch and composite deck with black railings and stairs on the back of a two-story home in Apex, NC — After: the screened porch, open deck and new stairs from the backyard in Providence at Yates Pond, photographed October 20.

Compare this photo with the before shot at the top of the post. The house, the porch roof and the footprint are the same. The white wood railings and painted boards are gone, replaced by gray composite and black railings, and the covered porch is now fully screened.

Black and tan dog resting on an outdoor sofa on a screened porch with a black railing in Apex, NC — When we stopped by in November, the family dog had claimed the porch sofa.

What Pete Said About the Project

★★★★★

“Awesome builders, from tear down to finish we got a great outcome.”

Pete K., Providence at Yates Pond, Apex, NC · Google review, November 2026

Read more Elite Xteriors NC reviews on Google

Pete’s review is short, and it names the two ends of the job that homeowners worry about most. Tear-down is loud and messy, and finish work is where small details show. A good outcome on a replacement project depends on both.

Composite Deck Replacement Questions We Hear From Apex Homeowners

Can you replace deck boards without rebuilding the whole deck?

Often, yes. When the framing underneath is sound, we can remove the old boards, railings and stairs and install new composite on top. When the framing is not sound, a full rebuild is the better long-term choice. We look at the structure during the site evaluation and tell you which one your deck needs.

How long does a deck replacement take?

Most decks take 3 to 7 days to build once construction begins, and screened porches take 1 to 2 weeks. Before that, lead time for a permitted project typically runs 4 to 6 weeks for permit approval and scheduling. On Pete’s project, tear-down began October 9 and the finished-project photos were taken October 20.

Do I need a permit for a deck or screened porch in Apex?

Most deck projects in the Triangle require a building permit, and screened porches are structural additions that typically require permits and inspections. Permit approval typically takes 2 weeks to 2 months depending on project complexity. We manage the permitting and inspection process with your municipality, so you never have to deal with the building department yourself.

What warranty comes with composite decking?

As a MoistureShield MVP installer, we provide tiered fade and stain warranties based on the product line you select: Elevate carries 30 years, Meridian 40 years and Vision 50 years. Structural warranty is separate. We also back every installation with a 2-year workmanship warranty.

Can I screen in my existing covered porch?

Yes. If you have a covered porch, it can often be enclosed with screens or insulated windows, depending on your goals. Screens are our default, and insulated windows are our recommended alternative when you want full weather protection. Our screened porch page covers the options in more detail.

What does a composite deck replacement cost?

Materials drive the biggest swing in cost, and composite costs more upfront than pressure-treated lumber. After that, the main variables are deck size, height off the ground, stairs, railings, design complexity and site conditions. Permit and inspection fees are separate from construction. We present a price in person after measuring your deck during the site evaluation, and that price is good for one year.

If your deck or porch looks like the before photos in this post, we can tell you whether new boards and railings will do the job or whether the structure needs more. See our composite deck page for more on the materials we install, or schedule a site evaluation and we will come measure your deck and walk you through your options.

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