Comparing Wood Deck Options

Invented in the late 1980s, wood-plastic composite decking (also called “composite wood decking”) is made of wood fibers encased in plastic. Composite decking is readily available at big box home improvement stores like The Home Depot and Lowe’s, as well as local lumberyards throughout the U.S. As idyllic as your backyard deck could be, maintaining that elevated expanse of lumber can be a downright chore.

Composite Decking Materials & Deck Boards

Typically, wood decking is lower cost to purchase than composites, especially in the initial purchase. However, although the initial cost of wood is less, composite usually ends up paying for itself within 2-3 years when including the cost of annual maintenance. The price differential also depends on the wood species chosen versus the brand of composite decking, and local market conditions. Compared to natural wood decks that may last only 15 years if given diligent maintenance, composite decks may last for more than 25 to 30 years. Due to their mixture of synthetic and organic fibers wrapped in a protective synthetic shell, composite deck boards are resistant to mold, warping, and staining. Based on these averages, if you do the math, it can cost between $13,500 and $22,000 for composite decking versus $8,000 to $11,200 for a wood deck.

Decking & Railing Duos

They are safe and comfortable especially for families with kids and pets. Wet planter pots, dropped grill tools, and spilled food is no match for newer composite decking materials. They offer an unprecedented combination of stain, fade and mold resistance because of their exclusive protective shell and ability to withstand high-traffic. To retain the color, you have to clean it and reseal it every year or two, and even then it’s a losing battle. I’ve never seen 10-year-old cedar for a wood deck that still had that warm, rich look of new wood. Cedar is also soft; when used for stairs or for decks where furniture gets dragged around a lot, the edges in particular can get beat up.

Composite Wood Decking In Columbus, Ohio

Names such as pebble and slate and mahogany are choices, as well as colors that look like natural wood such as teak or walnut. You can also choose composite decking by texture and wood grain pattern. The cost to build a 144-square-foot composite deck averages about$5,200. The prices can range from$3,600 to $7,700between$25 and $54 per square foot. By comparison, a 144-square-foot wood deck ranges from$5,000 to $7,200, or$35 to $50 per square foot.

How Much Does A Composite Deck Cost?

However, this particular type of material also tends to cost 20% more than polyethylene-based and polypropylene-based decking. A key wood decking problem is that boards readily absorb water. Without the regular application of stains, sealers or paint, wood decking is susceptible to warping, splintering, cracking and rotting. Many homeowners choose wood decking because it is familiar, readily available and affordable. At the same time, wood decking problems like splinters, rot and high maintenance cause many headaches.

• In comparison, a pressure-treated wood deck costs $15 to $25 per square foot while a cedar wood deck starts at $30 per square foot.
• However, the low-maintenance cost for composite decking usually evens out those costs over time when compared to wood decks.
• The average cost of composite decking ranges from $20 to $38 per square foot with most homeowners spending between $5,821 and $10,826 to install a 12’ x 24’ composite deck with railings.
• In comparison, the cost to build a pressure-treated wood deck is $15 to $25 per square foot while a cedar wood deck starts at $30 per square foot.
• Cost - The initial cost of installing a composite deck on your property is higher than wood.
• The average cost of composite decking ranges from $20 to $38 per square foot depending on the quality of materials.

While the prices above represent the averages for all composite decks, there are a few factors that can increase or decrease your total deck installation cost. Trex decking is hard to install – Many homeowners who may have previously built their own wood deck cannot seem to wrap their mind around installing composite decking. Trex decking is so easy to install that even an amateur can do it. For additional insights on wood vs. composite decking, and to see how MoistureShield stacks up against other types of decking materials, check out ourDeck Material Comparison Chart.

Composite decking materials, on the other hand, sell for $2.50 or $3.50 per linear foot. Even so, when you account for the costs associated with maintaining a wood deck , composite decking emerges as the value choice. Composite decking does tend to be a bit more expensive than traditional deck materials when it comes to upfront construction costs. However, homeowners who opt for composite decking over traditional wooden decking can also save money in a number of ways. Although several features determine an ideal deck design, the overall style of a deck is dictated by the actual deck materials. Composite decks have become popular over the past years as the price range of decking boards continue to rise over time. There are different composite products on the market and the availability of these products may vary depending on your location.

Quick Summary: Composite Vs Wood Deck Cost

The upfront investment seems substantial when compared to traditional wood decking materials. A closer look will often show the long-range advantages outweigh the cost. For instance, the usual maintenance involved in keeping your outdoor living space in tip-top shape doesn’t factor in with your composite deck. You won’t spend your weekends stripping, sanding, sealing, replacing boards, and all the other tasks necessary to maintain a wood deck.

5 Great Deck Materials - Popular Mechanics

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