How Does The Cost of Composite Deck Boards Compare To Other Decking Materials?
You're building or repairing a deck, and you feel like you're drowning in a sea of deck board options. You've seen great-looking photos of composite decks - but is the premium material worth the cost?
We help deck owners like you everyday, simplifying deck material choices so you can make the best decision for your budget. Let's take a look at the cost of composite deck boards compared to other options on the market so you can make the most informed choice for your project!
Table of Contents
- Composite Decking Costs Examined
- Initial Cost Comparison Between Different Decking Materials
- Long-Term Cost Comparison Between Different Decking Materials
- Initial Costs vs Long-Term Costs: Composite vs Wood Decking Example
- Cost of Various Composite Decking Brands
- Cost-Saving Option: Scalloped-Bottom Composite Boards
- Composite Decking: Is it Worth The Cost?
Composite Decking Costs Examined
When you look at decks, there are two different types of cost to consider. There's the initial cost of the materials, but also the long-term cost, because different decking materials weather at different speeds and regular varying levels of yearly maintenance costs.
Let's run through both types of costs when it comes to composite decking and the other top deck material options:
Initial Cost Comparison Between Different Decking Materials
Composite decking is a premium option - and that means paying a little more up front.
Initially, composite deck boards will cost a little more than luxury hardwood options like Ipe, and both will cost quite a bit more than your very basic pressure-treated wood boards. Here's a look at some estimated costs per square foot (though they're all highly-dependent on where you buy and what type of board you buy in each category):
Estimated Costs For Different Decking Materials
Based on research from HomeAdvisor and Home Guide.
| Material | Estimated Cost Per Square Foot |
|---|---|
| Pressure-treated wood | $2 - $8 |
| Cedar | $4 - $8 |
| Ipe | $10 - $15 |
| PVC | $8 - $20 |
| Composite | $8 - $18 |
Long-Term Cost Comparison Between Different Decking Materials
Where composite decking really shines is in its low long-term costs. While you'll pay a little more up front to get composite boards, you'll save time and money over the life of the deck.
With wood decking (pressure-treated, cedar, or hardwood), you'll need to seal and/or stain your deck regularly - at least every few years, but ideally every year if you want to make your boards last as long as possible.
And that's just planned maintenance. Wood that's permanently outside and exposed to the elements will inevitably weather and begin to break down over time, even if you're diligent about staining and sealing it. Replacing rotted or splintering boards is another long-term cost - and and unpredictable one that always seems to pop up up at the worst possible time.
Composite decking, on the other hand, never needs to be painted or stained. (Neither does PVC decking). It'll also weather the elements better, so you won't need to budget for emergency repairs, because composite decking doesn't rot, split, or splinter.
Initial Costs vs Long-Term Costs: Composite vs Wood Decking Example
To put some real numbers to this comparison, let's look at a fairly standard 16 x 20 deck - that's 320 square feet.
We've used numbers right in the middle of the HomeAdvisor/Home Guide estimate ranges above:
- Estimated material costs: $5 per square foot for wood and $13 per square foot for composite
- Estimated labor costs: $12 per square foot for either material
- Estimates don't include fasteners or other features like framing or railing
- Estimated maintenance costs: staining ($3 per square foot) and sealing ($2 per square foot), including labor and materials
Note: the numbers above don't include fasteners or other features like framing or railing.
Based on these estimates, the wood deck is a few thousand dollars cheaper initially - no small margin. But you can see how quickly the regular maintenance costs add up. Within five years, the wood deck's total cost has already risen higher than the composite deck's total cost.
And by year 9, the wood deck's maintenance needs have pushed the total cost nearly $4,000 higher than the total cost of the composite deck - not to mention the time and effort saved in hiring out all that regular maintenance.
You could space out staining and sealing every three years instead of two (or choose to only stain or only seal), but that will also cut down on the long-term lifespan of your deck.
Ultimately, this is why we highly recommend choosing composite or PVC deck boards if you plan to own the deck for more than a few years. A deck is a long-term investment, and it's worth doing it right to save money in the long run.
Pros & Cons of Different Decking Materials
We weighed the costs above, but here's a really quick rundown of the pros and cons of some of the different decking materials so you can make the best decision for your specific home and deck:
Pressure-Treated Wood
Pros:
- Lowest-cost
- Strong
- Traditional wood look
Cons:
- High-maintenance: requires staining or painting every 2-3 years, plus regular repairs
- Recurring stain & repair costs add up and eat into the initial cost savings
- Very limited look & style options
- Shorter lifespan
- Exposure to water causes mold, mildew, cracking, splitting or splintering
Cedar Decking
Pros:
- More durable & longer-lasting than pressure-treated wood
- Richer, more luxurious looks
Cons:
- Soft wood that scratches easily
- Still requires plenty of maintenance along with staining and sealing
- Doesn't last as long as composite or PVC decking, and water exposure causes mold, mildew, cracking or splintering
Composite Decking
Pros:
- Tough capping resists mold, mildew and water damage
- Low-maintenance: never needs painting or staining
- Doesn't split, crack, splinter or rot
- Maintains its look, color and texture longer than wood
Cons:
- Costs more initially
- Can get hot in direct sunlight
PVC Decking
Pros:
- Complete resistance to water damage - no mold, mildew or rot
- Unaffected by termites and other wood-eating insects
- Most fire-safe decking
- Heats up slower and cools down faster than composite decking
Cons:
- Most expensive decking option
- Older PVC decking can look artificial, though modern PVC looks have improved dramatically
Cost of Various Composite Decking Brands
Within the spectrum of composite decking, you can find a lot of variation in price, too. So if you're looking to get the benefits of low-maintenance composite without changing your target budget, you can use this guide to help find the boards for you:
| Brand | Cost Range |
|---|---|
| Trex | $ - $$$$ |
| TimberTech | $ - $$$$ |
| Fiberon | $ - $$$ |
| Deckorators | $$$ - $$$$ |
| Barrette Outdoor Living | $ - $$ |
| Envision | $ - $$ |
Trex Decking: Proven & Accessible
- #1 name in composite decking
- Proven, traditional styles
- Accessible anywhere: fully in-stock with nationwide shipping from DecksDirect
- Lots of same-brand railing, lighting, and underdecking options
Trex is the first and biggest name in composite decking, with classic, proven looks and three different tiers of deck boards that span a range of budgets. The brand remains a giant in the outdoor living space because its products are rock-solid reliable - they hold up for decades in any weather and climate.
Decking Lines Available:
- Trex Transcend Lineage (premium - $$$$)
- Trex Transcend (best - $$$)
- Trex Select (best - $$)
- Trex Enhance (good - $)
TimberTech Decking: Desirable & On-Trend
Learn more about TimberTech decking
- Detailed, on-trend looks
- A favorite of contractors and decking professionals
- Huge range of product offerings
- Multi-width deck board offerings
- Premium PVC offerings
TimberTech is another huge outdoor living brand, and they've become well-known for the most beautiful, eye-catching low-maintenance deck boards on the market. TimberTech has a huge range of decking lines and offer both PVC and composite options.
Decking Lines Available:
- TimberTech Advanced PVC Decking Boards (best)
- TimberTech Advanced PVC Vintage (premium - $$$$)
- TimberTech Advanced PVC Landmark (Best - $$$)
- TimberTech Advanced PVC Harvest (good - $$)
- TimberTech Composite Decking Boards (better)
- TimberTech Composite Legacy (premium - $$$$)
- TimberTech Composite Reserve (better - $$)
- TimberTech Composite Terrain (good - $)
Fiberon Decking: High-Value & Sustainable
Learn more about Fiberon decking
- 4-sided capping and graining options
- Eco-friendly, sustainable, efficient production processes
- Expert-inspired and expert-approved products
Fiberon's big calling card is its Concordia line, which features 4-sided capping plus natural wood graining on all four sides of each board. That makes it ideal for two-level decks, so you see a beautiful wood finish on the underside of each board, rather than a flat, ungrained surface. Fiberon's color palette is also a little richer than most composite boards, and the look is undeniably classy.
Decking Lines Available:
- Fiberon Concordia (best - $$$)
- Fiberon Good Life (good - $)
Deckorators Decking: Premium & Innovative
Learn more about Deckorators decking
- Premium, luxurious deck looks
- The newest and best technology: mineral-based composite
- On-trend color mixes and multi-tonal looks
Deckorators is a pioneer in the space, launching a brand-new material: mineral-based composite. Mineral-based boards replace the wood fibers in traditional wood-plastic composites with durable minerals that make the boards more stable and longer-lasting. Deckorators boards also look luxurious and high-end.
Decking Lines Available:
- Deckorators Voyage (premium - $$$$)
- Deckorators Vault (best - $$$)
Barrette Decking: Distinctive & Unique
Learn more about Barrette Outdoor Living decking
- Incredibly unique decking looks - each board looks one-of-a-kind
- Unique and innovative “step clip” fastening method
- Lots of color variation within each board
Barrette Outdoor Living deck boards have a totally distinctive look - the color varies from board to board and even from one end of each board to the other. The result is an eye-catching deck like the one above. If you love the look, Barrette is perfect for you, and it's also on the less-expensive end of composite decking brands.
Decking Lines Available:
- Barrette Siesta (better - $$)
- Barrette MVP (good - $)
Envision Decking: Versatile & Cost-Effective
Learn more about Envision decking
- High-quality deck boards at entry-level price points
- Wood grain patterns never repeat
- Classic, traditional deck looks
Envision decking is perfect for deck owners who want all the low-maintenance benefits of composite without paying a premium price. The boards look and perform great, and the price point is very attractive for builders on a budget.
Decking Lines Available:
- Envision Distinction (better - $$)
- Envision Expression (good - $)
- Envision Ridge Premium (good - $)
Cost-Saving Option: Scalloped-Bottom Composite Deck Boards
If you're looking for a lower-cost composite decking option, look for boards with a scalloped bottom. Most brands offer a scalloped option, like Trex's Enhance boards, shown below:
Scalloped boards use less composite material to keep the cost low. And once they're installed, you won't even notice the difference, because the scalloped bottoms are hidden beneath the deck:
Composite Decking: Is It Worth The Cost?
Our decking pros believe the answer is a resounding "yes".
At DecksDirect, our team of project planners helps thousands of deck owners every year with planning, upgrading, and maintaining their decks. Some customers are building brand new decks, but most of them are repairing or updating decks that are anywhere from a few years to a few decades old.
Working with that many decks across their lifespans, we see the huge importance of low-maintenance and long-lasting materials. Maintenance and repair costs add up quickly. Decks are meant to be enjoyed for decades - so we believe they should be built to last decades, too.
That's why we highly recommend choosing a low-maintenance composite or PVC deck board option. You'll get a better-looking, more durable deck - and within a few years, the more expensive deck boards will pay for themselves in saved maintenance costs.
Not to mention the time and sweat you'll save by never having to stain or seal your deck again.
If you're interested in planning a low-maintenance composite deck, check out our online options. Happy decking!