In many cases, a composite deck will cost more than a wood deck at the outset but possibly less than a wood deck over time, thanks to minimal upkeep. While each have its own share of pros and cons, including cost, durability, maintenance/labor and lifespan, the checkmarks in the pro-composite decking column seem to be stacking up. The primary drawback to composite decking is arguably the higher price tag. While wood requires a lot of routine maintenance, composite … A cedar wood deck will cost $30 or more per square foot. The lowest cost per square foot for a pressure treated pine deck sells for about half the price of composite, $15 versus $30 installation, respectively. Wood is much less durable than a concrete or composite deck. All rights reserved. The cost to install a composite deck is roughly double the cost of wood when you factor in the higher materials cost plus labor. This is especially noticeable in pressure-treated wood. Composite decks are made of durable, long-lasting materials that are stain-resistant and will hold up well to harsh weather, as well as natural wear and tear for up to 50 years. The cost to install a composite deck is roughly double the cost of wood when you factor in the higher materials cost plus labor. Adding a deck to your home is a great way to make the most of your outdoor space. Decking Warranty: Treated Wood Vs Composite Decking. In comparison to our redwood warranty, we provide a 15 year warranty for our composite deck builds. Wood decking is, of course, the most natural route you can take in building your new deck. Composite. This is especially important for walking on the deck barefoot, and for children and pets, whose feet are sensitive. By signing up to be a member of Real Estate Winners, you’ll get access to our 10 best ideas and new investment ideas every month. Wood composite is among the most expensive decking flooring material on the market. A significant factor in hardwood vs. composite decking is the cost of each product. However, on average, a well-cared for deck can last up to 20 years or more. They do, however, require semiannual cleaning, which consists of a soapy water mixture and a low power washer or soft bristle brush. Because composite decking is weather, insect, and rot resistant, it will last longer. SPILLS, SCRATCHES, AND STAINS! But that only counts if you do the work. © 2018 - 2021 The Motley Fool, LLC. But the cost of staining is only one consideration. Most decks require a full on retreatment consisting of sanding, cleaning, staining or painting and sealing every two to five years. Composite is a phenomenal material to build your custom deck with. With composite, you don't have to worry about the same level of wear and tear. How to Buy Your First Investment Property With 5% Down (Or Less), These REITs are Immune to the Coronavirus' Impact, Cities and States That Have Paused Evictions Due to COVID-19, The Metros Where Retail CRE will be Hit the Hardest. Composite decking is an environmentally friendly lumber alternative that combines plastic and wood fiber. Composites are naturally resistant to splintering, cracking, warping, mold, and nearly every other problem that wood decking faces. Let us help you navigate this asset class by signing up for our comprehensive real estate investing guide. Over the last decade or so, the popularity of composite decking has waged a new question for future deck owners everywhere – wood or composite decking? Sign in here. With composite, you may get more color choices, though keep in mind that wood can always be painted if you have your heart set on a specific shade. The longevity of it is outstanding! *By submitting your email you are agreeing to our Terms & Conditions. Your selection of wood vs. composite decking mostly boils down to your preference regarding aesthetics. A composite deck will cost $30 to $45 per square foot installed. Much Less Maintenance Required. Pros of Composite. TimberTech offers warranties up to 50 years depending on which style you choose. Pressure-treated: ≈ 400 to 575 square foot deck; Composite: ≈ 220 to 310 square foot deck; As you can see, a natural wood deck can be half the price of a deck made of composite material. A local deck builder told us that in dark colors, composites ran 8-10 degrees hotter than wood. Maurie Backman has been writing about personal finance for years. These 10 real estate plays are the best ways to invest in real estate right now. Comprehensive real estate investing service including CRE. If you really enjoy the natural look of wood, composite decking probably isn’t for you. When looking at the composite decking versus wood cost, you will find that you actually pay more for composite decking, between the initial order and the installation costs. Copyright © 2021 Trex Company, Inc. All rights reserved. The first disadvantage of purchasing a composite deck is the high price. Many people don’t realize that staining or painting composite is possible, but it’s doable and can enhance the beauty of your deck over time, keeping it looking like new. The Hassle-Free Alternative To Wood Decking A Trex ® composite deck is ready whenever you want to use it. Though composite decking is the more expensive choice initially, over time, it can pay for itself and save you a world of maintenance. They don’t contain wood fillers, but can be streaked to mimic a wood grain look. It can add significant curb appeal, boost the property’s value, and give you a beautiful new space for creating memories with family and friends. Refinishing a composite deck is now possible, but with varying results—Normally if it gets too tough looking you replace the decking. To learn more about CafeMedia’s data usage, visit: www.cafemedia.com/publisher-advertising-privacy-policy. But if your composite deck does fade over time due to direct sunlight exposure, you can stain or paint it to make it look new again. Some products come with a plastic outer coat, called a cap. So what makes composite decking such a great choice? Access to timely real estate stock ideas and Top Ten recommendations. Composite Decking vs. Wood Cost. A Comparison Of Composite Decking Vs Wood Decking Image Credit: hgtv.com Composite Decking Pros: 1. It's commonly known that composite materials require less maintenance, hence, their cost is usually higher. Learn more.Already a member? By clicking GO!, you acknowledge that you have read Trex's Privacy Policy. Maintaining your deck properly can help prevent all of these things, but you may reach a point when you need to replace a wooden deck -- if not the entire structure, then at least the top that's most exposed to the elements. Wood decking means the deck has to be painted or stained to get the desired color, and periodically you will need to deep-clean and repaint or restain the deck due to fading. But keep in mind that composite requires less maintenance over time so that, depending on the size of your deck, at some point, you could break even. Composite Decking Maintenance. All you really need to do is give it a thorough clean every year or two. Installed cost: About $13 – $22. They don’t typically need sanding, sealing or staining. If you’re on a budget and the price tag of a composite deck is just too much, then a wooden deck is a great alternative. If you’re on a budget and the price tag of a composite deck is just too much, then a wooden deck is a great alternative. If you are good with thirteen weekends sanding and staining the deck, wood is an excellent, economical choice. Additionally, wood decks are known to splinter or warp due to the elements or normal wear and tear from use. The Verdict: Is Real Wood or Composite Wood More Economical? However, there are many dedicated wood users who advocate for the material, and thus the composite decking vs wood debate is still in full force. In contrast, composite decking is a “set it and forget it” approach to design and color. One of the greatest benefits that composite decking has going for it would be the lack of maintenance required. Even high-end wood like cedar and redwood still come in under the price for the lowest composite decking. On average, a pressure-treated wood deck will cost between $15 to $25 per square foot including installation. However, due to the pros associated with composite decking -- including the low maintenance, durability, and the long-lasting nature of the material -- the cost of composite decking can be easily offset over time, eventually saving you money in the long run. Natural Wood vs. Composite Deck Surface: Pros and Cons Listed – What’s Best For Your Deck? Find out more by signing up below. You should also plan to stain or paint your deck every other year, and you may need to pressure-wash it annually. If you just absolutely love the rich, natural look of real wood and the time and money for maintenance doesn’t bother you, then perhaps natural wood is for you. Because choosing the right deck materials can mean the difference between locking in a beautiful, high-performance outdoor living space, or choosing a lower-quality wood deck that comes with long-term costs, fleeting aesthetics, and more maintenance.. When it comes to wood, the biggest pro is that it’s economical, long lasting and comes in several different types of wood from cheaper, pressure-treated options like yellow pine or higher quality varieties like cedar and redwood. (You could walk on the wood, but not the composite in your bare feet.) There are pros and cons for each of these deck material types. Trex Composite Decking vs. Wood. The Ascent's Best Cities for a High Salary and Low Cost of Living -- How Does the Real Estate Measure Up? Real Estate 101. 4. Still not as long as composite, but an admirable amount of time, if properly treated. Additionally, most composite decks have built-in UV resistance, so they won’t fade or lighten as much as natural wood would over time. Composite: Composite decking grows more mold and mildew than wood does and requires more chemicals to clean it properly. Why consider the benefits of composite decking vs wood? Plan to spend around $15 to $25 per square foot for pressure-treated wood such as Southern yellow pine and around $25 to $30 per … You're no doubt familiar with the classic look of wood -- it's elegant and it goes well with a wide range of home exteriors. Is composite decking better than wood? Here's how to weigh your options. With a wooden deck, you generally need to sand its surface every few years, as well as seal it. The average cost to add a wooden deck onto a home is $14,360, according to Remodeling Magazine's most recent Cost vs. Value Report. At one time, composite decks were touted as ‘maintenance free’; this has since been changed to ‘low maintenance’. But also consider: How long will you live in the home? Yet, like aluminum decking, it’s still necessary to keep a composite deck clear of debris. Think about what works best for your taste and budget, and hopefully you'll land on the right decision. However, as durable as wood decking is, it’s still far more susceptible to maintenance costs, time and effort. Composite, on the other hand, doesn't require sanding, sealing, staining, or painting at all. The Bottom Line: Wood Deck vs Composite Deck. Using soft bristle brushes and gentle soaps once a season can help keep composite decking clean and looking its best. If you're the type of homeowner who doesn't have a lot of time or patience for maintenance, you may want to steer clear of wood. Real world Decking Testing with 4 common deck boards!Today’s Build Show Sponsored by Azek and TimberTown. The general lifespan of a pressure treated wood deck is between ten to fifteen years. While composite decking is made to look like natural wood, some people prefer the authenticity of actual wood. Furthermore, it’s not uncommon for composite manufacturers to discontinue colors and styles, so finding the matching pieces to replace these damaged parts of a deck can be quite challenging. Costs. Both wood and composite materials come in low and high quality, so cost or quality is not the only factor. For starters, composite decks are nearly maintenance-free. As an engineered timber product, composite decking is … Compensation may impact where offers appear on our site but our editorial opinions are in no way affected by compensation. Composite vs. Wood: Which Builds the Better Deck? If you simplify it to cost averages per square foot installed, a pressure-treated wood deck costs $15 to $25, cedar or redwood costs $30 or more, ipe costs well over $50 and composite decking material ranges from $30 to $45, typically. A firm believer in educating readers without boring them, she … Unlike a natural wood deck that can last 10-30 years before needing repair, composite won’t splinter, rot or become susceptible to insect damage. Learn More. Once you’ve applied one even coat across the entire deck leave it to dry. Composite decking is a durable, long-lasting and low-maintenance alternative to traditional timber decking. Upkeep. Natural vs Composite Wood – What’s the Big Difference? To help visualize what a $10,000 deck would look like, I’ve sketched out a couple of designs. By comparison, the average composite deck costs $19,856. Will the Covid 19 Crisis Push Home Values Lower? In lighter colors, it was 3-5 degrees. The composite was notably hotter. Turns out that composite wood is a great invention, which taps into the burgeoning American desire for outdoor living, spending time in the backyard with all the comforts of indoors. Wood decks take constant care. The lowest cost per square foot for a pressure treated pine deck sells for about half the price of composite, $15 versus $30 installation, respectively. From an aesthetic standpoint, that's a good thing or a bad thing, depending on your preferences. You may find that a composite deck lasts twice as long as a wooden one. We replaced a pressure treated staircase with a composite staircase in the same color. Pros Weather resistant; Stain resistant; Lightweight Our team of analysts agrees. Real Estate Investing: 10 Ways to Build Wealth. Our commitment to you is complete honesty: we will never allow affiliate partner relationships to influence our opinion of offers that appear on this site. Sign in here. But not all decking material is created equal, and you may be torn between natural wood or composite, a material designed to mimic the look of wood. But they do require some maintenance, and other factors come into play as well. Taking almost forty years before the wood deck will cost as much as a composite one. The choice is up to you! No sanding, staining, or painting here—a little soap and water or a quick power washing is all the maintenance Trex requires. Also known as composite, wood alternatives, or synthetic decking, wood-polymer composite has quickly become the fastest-growing decking material for residential use in the past dozen years. The question is really how much you're willing or able to spend upfront. The price of a wood deck depends on the type of wood, the size and configuration of the deck and, to some degree, the difficulty of installation. A new deck is an excellent addition for your home. Pros – If you want little maintenance, composite boards take the prize. But if you don't like the look of composite, wood may be a better choice despite the maintenance involved. Find out how you can get started with Real Estate Winners by clicking here. For example, if you have gray siding, you can look for gray composite decking or paint your wood gray. Plastic decking is available in dimensions similar to traditional lumber, and costs roughly the same per foot as composite deck materials. 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