Composite vs. Wood Decking: Making the Right Choice

The composite versus wood decision affects your deck's appearance, maintenance requirements, and total cost over time. Here's an objective comparison.

Initial Costs

Wood Decking - Pressure-treated: $2-4 per linear foot - Cedar: $4-8 per linear foot - Redwood: $8-12 per linear foot

Composite Decking - Value lines: $4-6 per linear foot - Mid-range: $6-9 per linear foot - Premium (AZEK, TimberTech Pro): $9-14 per linear foot

Maintenance Costs (10-Year Period)

Wood - Annual cleaning: $100-200 - Staining every 2-3 years: $500-1,500 - Board replacements: $200-500 - Total: $3,000-7,000

Composite - Annual cleaning: $50-100 - No staining required - Minimal replacements (warranty) - Total: $500-1,000

Lifespan Comparison

Wood - Pressure-treated: 10-15 years - Cedar: 15-20 years - Redwood: 20-25 years

Composite - Value lines: 15-20 years - Premium: 25-50 years - Warranty coverage: 25-50 years

Aesthetics

Wood offers natural grain variation that some homeowners prefer. However, wood appearance changes over time without maintenance. Composite maintains consistent color but some find it looks less natural.

Dream Decks builds with both materials. We help you choose based on your priorities and provide samples to compare.