Composite decking gets hot in the Danville, KY summer sun — hotter than wood, in most cases — and how much depends more on the board’s color than on the fact that it’s composite at all.
Does Composite Decking Get Hot in the Summer?
Yes — dark composite boards can reach 140°F or higher in direct Kentucky sun, noticeably hotter than wood, while lighter, capped colors stay meaningfully cooler underfoot.
The color of the board matters more than the brand. A dark walnut or espresso composite board absorbs far more solar heat than a driftwood gray or sandstone tan board of the same material, sometimes by 20–30°F on a sunny afternoon. Pressure-treated wood heats up too, but composite’s denser, plastic-heavy shell tends to hold that heat longer once the sun moves off it, which is the real difference people notice barefoot. Our composite decking page covers the material tradeoffs beyond just heat.
What Actually Reduces Deck Heat
Board color is the single biggest lever — going lighter is the cheapest fix available and costs nothing extra to choose upfront. Some manufacturers also sell composite lines with reflective or “CoolDeck” style caps designed specifically to run cooler than standard capped boards, usually at a modest premium. Shade from a pergola or the house itself over the hottest part of the deck helps more than any board choice, and a west-facing deck that catches full afternoon sun will always run hotter than one that doesn’t, regardless of material.
Composite decking in Danville typically runs $30–$45 per square foot installed, with lighter or cool-cap colors sometimes carrying a modest premium over standard dark boards, labeled as typical.
Composite vs. Wood on a Hot Day
Wood generally starts cooler and sheds heat faster once shaded, but composite wins on almost everything else — no splinters, no annual sealing, no rot. See our composite vs. wood comparison for the full honest tradeoff, heat included.
Is any composite decking cool to the touch?
None stays fully cool in direct sun, but light colors and reflective-cap lines run noticeably cooler than standard dark boards — worth asking about if bare feet are a priority.
Does a covered porch avoid the heat problem entirely?
Largely, yes. A screened porch or covered deck with real shade sidesteps most of the heat issue regardless of decking material chosen.
Can I mix composite and wood to manage cost and heat?
Some homeowners do — composite on the sun-exposed main deck and wood or a shaded area elsewhere. It’s a reasonable way to balance budget against comfort.
Choosing a color for a sunny Danville lot? Get a free quote or call or text (859) 310-1209.
Related: Composite & Trex Decking | Composite vs. Wood Decking
Source on composite decking materials: Trex.
Last updated: September 1, 2026