Comparing Wood Deck Options

This provides protection from mildew, stains, fading from the sun, and scratching. The average labor cost to install composite decking is $7.52 per square foot. A 24’ x 12’ deck will take an average of 34.5 hours to build with a labor cost of around$2,165 for a deck to be installed on an existing substructure.

Composite Decking Materials & Deck Boards

When the less demanding plastic-composite decking appeared on the scene in the 1990s, homeowners happily adopted it, despite the higher price and limited color selection . A decade later, as companies began to offer new products that looked like fresh-cut cedar and Brazilian walnut but never turned gray, sales of composites took off. Ipe can cost up to four times the price of the cedar/redwood option because it is imported from South America. There is no doubt that composite decking material is more expensive than wood. However, it is valued for its striking resemblance to natural wood and efficiency making it an excellent choice for decking.

Decking & Railing Duos

To prevent this from happening, lumber decking must be sealed with paint or stain every few years – and that costs money. For one, the price of materials, but also the time and labor required for the homeowner to do the job themselves or find a contractor to do the job for them.

Composite Wood Decking In Columbus, Ohio

The trade off is that maintenance costs are far lower and composite decks are expected to last longer. On average, a pressure-treated wood deck will cost between $15 to $25 per square foot including installation. A composite deck will cost $30 to $45 per square foot installed. They primary ingredients that make up composite decking are plastic and wood. Depending on the brand, the exact “recipe” for this man-made material varies slightly.

Hands down, easy care is the biggest plus for this material. As part of their manufacture, composite deck boards are treated with preservatives that help ward off rot, mold, and mildew. Planks are dyed in a host of a colors and imprinted with a range of textures, most of which convincingly resemble genuine wood grain. Trex decking costs between $15 and $38 per square foot installed. The typical deck of 24 x 12 will run $4,245–$10,825 for both materials and installation. PVC – PVC decking is also known as vinyl decking and costs $3.78 per linear foot. This product is made from composite decking materials, but it is encapsulated in PVC as it is manufactured.

• If you’re in the market for a new or replacement deck, you may be wondering if composite is worth the investment.
• Also, while composite needs less maintenance, plank repair and replacement can be a little more tricky depending on the installation.
• If you love the look of wood and don’t mind some annual work, get cedar.
• Composite does carry a bigger price tag than traditional treated wood or cedar deck materials.
• If keeping costs down is your primary goal, pressure-treated lumber is for you.

On average, composite deck boards cost between $3.19 and $5.80 per linear foot for material costs only and does not include installation or any fastenings. , Each board is also 5.3/8” wide (5.375”), so including 10% for wastage, you’ll need to buy decking boards for 317 SF. Most PVC and composite decking products use recycled plastic.

All lumber, even wood that has been treated with preservatives, is susceptible to damage from moisture. As an organic material, it’s naturally absorbent, meaning that water will not only adhere to a wood surface, it can also seep into it. This can cause problems as minor as surface mold and mildew growth to structural damage caused by rot.

Many homeowners struggle with trying to justify the cost of composite decking. However, simply comparing the material and installation costs alone doesn’t tell the whole story.

Hidden Fastener For Slotted Boards