A Comparison Of Composite Decking Vs Wood Decking Image Credit: hgtv.com Composite Decking Pros: 1. And no matter which material you choose, be sure to get your share of quotes so you're able to compare your options and snag a great deal. 4. 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. But if you don't like the look of composite, wood may be a better choice despite the maintenance involved. A cedar wood deck will cost $30 or more per square foot. When evaluating wood vs. composite decking, here are key issues to consider: Looks While early-generation composite decking tended to look artificial and plastic-y, some modern composites are available with a variegated appearance, and randomized embossed grain pattern so … www.cafemedia.com/publisher-advertising-privacy-policy, Extensively researched articles in the areas of Real Estate Taxes, REITs, CREs, Regulation A and A composite deck will cost $30 to $45 per square foot installed. A sleek, well-maintained deck can be a beautiful addition to any home. It's commonly known that composite materials require less maintenance, hence, their cost is usually higher. Composite wood will cost more than traditional lumber but you will save money in the long run because it lasts so much longer and costs less to maintain. By comparison, the average composite deck costs $19,856. Composite: Composite decking grows more mold and mildew than wood does and requires more chemicals to clean it properly. A composite deck isn’t vulnerable to termite damage, nor does it warp or fade as much as real wood does. Millionacres does not cover all offers on the market. Some products come with a plastic outer coat, called a cap. Real Estate 101. 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. 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. The first disadvantage of purchasing a composite deck is the high price. Still not as long as composite, but an admirable amount of time, if properly treated. 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. Compensation may impact where offers appear on our site but our editorial opinions are in no way affected by compensation. Even high-end wood like cedar and redwood still come in under the price for the lowest composite decking. While wood decks were clearly winning the bids until some ten years ago, the composite decking materials improved immensely in terms of structure, durability and safety. 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. The downside of wood is that it can warp, rot, splinter, and fade over time. To help visualize what a $10,000 deck would look like, I’ve sketched out a couple of designs. Composite vs. Wood: Which Builds the Better Deck? By clicking GO!, you acknowledge that you have read Trex's Privacy Policy. The Verdict: Is Real Wood or Composite Wood More Economical? 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. Learn More. A new deck is an excellent addition for your home. But they do require some maintenance, and other factors come into play as well. 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. On average, a pressure-treated wood deck will cost between $15 to $25 per square foot including installation. Real world Decking Testing with 4 common deck boards!Today’s Build Show Sponsored by Azek and TimberTown. Comprehensive real estate investing service including CRE. The composite was notably hotter. TimberTech offers warranties up to 50 years depending on which style you choose. If you really enjoy the natural look of wood, composite decking probably isn’t for you. Composite is a phenomenal material to build your custom deck with. Upkeep. 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. 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. 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. Taking almost forty years before the wood deck will cost as much as a composite one. The Hassle-Free Alternative To Wood Decking A Trex ® composite deck is ready whenever you want to use it. 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. While composite decking is made to look like natural wood, some people prefer the authenticity of actual wood. Most decks require a full on retreatment consisting of sanding, cleaning, staining or painting and sealing every two to five years. In lighter colors, it was 3-5 degrees. When you’re the one buying, you have to balance the price you’ll pay up-front, if you’re okay doing maintenance year-after-year, and the outdoor decor you like best. If your budget for installing a deck is limited, you may choose to stick with wood. Composite. Additionally, most composite decks have built-in UV resistance, so they won’t fade or lighten as much as natural wood would over time. Natural Wood vs. Composite Deck Surface: Pros and Cons Listed – What’s Best For Your Deck? The general lifespan of a pressure treated wood deck is between ten to fifteen years. *By submitting your email you are agreeing to our Terms & Conditions. 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. 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. Wood is much less durable than a concrete or composite deck. 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. It’s clear from this article that both real wood and composite wood have their pros and cons for your wallet. The question is really how much you're willing or able to spend upfront. They don’t contain wood fillers, but can be streaked to mimic a wood grain look. Refinishing a composite deck is now possible, but with varying results—Normally if it gets too tough looking you replace the decking. 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. Composites are naturally resistant to splintering, cracking, warping, mold, and nearly every other problem that wood decking faces. But also consider: How long will you live in the home? 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. As an engineered timber product, composite decking is … Is composite decking better than wood? Composite decking is an environmentally friendly lumber alternative that combines plastic and wood fiber. Why consider the benefits of composite decking vs wood? The lack of durability is even more prominent in areas with extreme temperatures that wreak havoc on wood causing warping, sagging, rotting, fading and broken boards. We have seen it warp, chip, crack, degrade, swell, stain, and mold, just to name a few things. If left untreated, the deck will fade and eventually rot. All rights reserved. Material Workability Composite decking is a durable, long-lasting and low-maintenance alternative to traditional timber decking. Both wood and composite materials come in low and high quality, so cost or quality is not the only factor. Learn More.Already a member? Much Less Maintenance Required. The Bottom Line: Wood Deck vs Composite Deck. Find out how you can get started with Real Estate Winners by clicking here. While all-wood decking will eventually splinter, composite decking is made with small wood fibers encased in plastic, so it won’t splinter. Composite Decking vs. Wood Cost. 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. Here's how to weigh your options. Composite Deck Pros — — Composite and plastic decks don’t need sanding or staining. SPILLS, SCRATCHES, AND STAINS! Real Estate Investing: 10 Ways to Build Wealth. Put Real Estate’s “Unfair Advantages” to Work for Your Portfolio. But that only counts if you do the work. 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.. Think about what works best for your taste and budget, and hopefully you'll land on the right decision. 5 years from now, your composite deck will look like a 5-year-old composite deck—with scratches and stains. Real estate has long been the go-to investment for those looking to build long-term wealth for generations. These 10 real estate plays are the best ways to invest in real estate right now. Sign in here. Let us help you navigate this asset class by signing up for our comprehensive real estate investing guide. All you really need to do is give it a thorough clean every year or two. For example, if you have gray siding, you can look for gray composite decking or paint your wood gray. 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. The lower cost of treated wood and cedar vs the lower maintenance of composite and PVC is an important consideration.. Terms of use, Differences Between PVC & Composite Decking, Best Composite Decking Materials & Options in 2020. 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. This number includes expenses for building and maintaining the structure. Plastic decking is available in dimensions similar to traditional lumber, and costs roughly the same per foot as composite deck materials. (You could walk on the wood, but not the composite in your bare feet.) The cost to install a composite deck is roughly double the cost of wood when you factor in the higher materials cost plus labor. Natural vs Composite Wood – What’s the Big Difference? This Site is affiliated with CMI Marketing, Inc., d/b/a CafeMedia (“CafeMedia”) for the purposes of placing advertising on the Site, and CafeMedia will collect and use certain data for advertising purposes. Though composite decking is the more expensive choice initially, over time, it can pay for itself and save you a world of maintenance. Pros Weather resistant; Stain resistant; Lightweight The choice is up to you! Yet, like aluminum decking, it’s still necessary to keep a composite deck clear of debris. Find out more by signing up below. The primary drawback to composite decking is arguably the higher price tag. Additionally, wood decks are known to splinter or warp due to the elements or normal wear and tear from use. Composite Decking Maintenance. Our best recommendation is to to build with composite over wood because of the advances made on it through the years. Pros of Composite. Buying a Home in These 7 States Gives You the Most Bang for Your Buck. 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. 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. Wood composite is among the most expensive decking flooring material on the market. The Ascent's Best Cities for a High Salary and Low Cost of Living -- How Does the Real Estate Measure Up? 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. 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. While wood requires a lot of routine maintenance, composite … 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. You may find that a composite deck lasts twice as long as a wooden one. © 2018 - 2021 The Motley Fool, LLC. 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. Become a member of Real Estate Winners and learn how you can start earning institutional-quality returns with less than $1,000. Composite, though designed to look like wood, isn't actual wood. In comparison to our redwood warranty, we provide a 15 year warranty for our composite deck builds. If you are good with thirteen weekends sanding and staining the deck, wood is an excellent, economical choice. 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? Wood vs. Composite vs. Vinyl Decking: Our Pick. Adding a deck to your home is a great way to make the most of your outdoor space. For starters, composite decks are nearly maintenance-free. One of the greatest benefits that composite decking has going for it would be the lack of maintenance required. A firm believer in educating readers without boring them, she … The model below shows a 23 x 23 foot deck (529 square feet). No sanding, staining, or painting here—a little soap and water or a quick power washing is all the maintenance Trex requires. Your selection of wood vs. composite decking mostly boils down to your preference regarding aesthetics. As the premier wood only deck company in Colorado, we often get questions as to why we don’t use composite material to build our decks. At one time, composite decks were touted as ‘maintenance free’; this has since been changed to ‘low maintenance’. With composite, you don't have to worry about the same level of wear and tear. 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. Get our 43-Page Guide to Real Estate Investing Today! We replaced a pressure treated staircase with a composite staircase in the same color. Sign in here. Will the Covid 19 Crisis Push Home Values Lower? But, if you want a deck that’s low maintenance and can last nearly twice as long as a natural deck, then maybe you fall in the composite camp. Maurie Backman has been writing about personal finance for years. Costs. Wood decks take constant care. The cost to install a composite deck is roughly double the cost of wood when you factor in the higher materials cost plus labor. A wood deck can be refinished every few years to look like new again. 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, on the other hand, doesn't require sanding, sealing, staining, or painting at all. Installed cost: About $13 – $22. This is especially noticeable in pressure-treated wood. To learn more about CafeMedia’s data usage, visit: www.cafemedia.com/publisher-advertising-privacy-policy. The short answer is, we don’t believe composite materials hold up in Colorado’s ever-changing climate. But the cost of staining is only one consideration. However, as durable as wood decking is, it’s still far more susceptible to maintenance costs, time and effort. Trex Composite Decking vs. Wood. These small risk factors add up to a longer life overall. Access to timely real estate stock ideas and Top Ten recommendations. 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. Building a great deck can take a lot of work, but the results are worth the effort . 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. Pros – If you want little maintenance, composite boards take the prize. Learn more.Already a member? So what makes composite decking such a great choice? Composite boards consist of sawdust, or wood flour, and plastic along with a binding agent and pigments. The argument of wood or composite deck all comes down to preference in the end. You should also plan to stain or paint your deck every other year, and you may need to pressure-wash it annually. From an aesthetic standpoint, that's a good thing or a bad thing, depending on your preferences. A significant factor in hardwood vs. composite decking is the cost of each product. Because composite decking is weather, insect, and rot resistant, it will last longer. Comparing the cost of wood vs. composite deck flooring, a homeowner should also consider the lifetime cost. Our team of analysts agrees. Once you’ve applied one even coat across the entire deck leave it to dry. However, on average, a well-cared for deck can last up to 20 years or more. 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. They don’t typically need sanding, sealing or staining. 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. Decking Warranty: Treated Wood Vs Composite Decking. Using soft bristle brushes and gentle soaps once a season can help keep composite decking clean and looking its best. At $30-$45 per square foot for installation, the costs can rack up fast when compared to $15-$25 for natural wood. The battle between wood and composite decking materials has been going on for decades with mixed results. Wood decking is, of course, the most natural route you can take in building your new deck. 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. This is especially important for walking on the deck barefoot, and for children and pets, whose feet are sensitive. We do receive compensation from some affiliate partners whose offers appear here. The original and oldest choice for decking materials, decks have been using wood for their makeup since their existence, so we know it’s a proven material that looks great. A local deck builder told us that in dark colors, composites ran 8-10 degrees hotter than wood. 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. Copyright © 2021 Trex Company, Inc. All rights reserved. There are pros and cons for each of these deck material types. They do, however, require semiannual cleaning, which consists of a soapy water mixture and a low power washer or soft bristle brush. The longevity of it is outstanding! With a wooden deck, you generally need to sand its surface every few years, as well as seal it. In contrast, composite decking is a “set it and forget it” approach to design and color. To termite damage, nor does it warp or fade as much as real wood or composite deck the. It would be the lack of maintenance required compensation from some affiliate partners offers..., like aluminum decking, it will last longer terms of use Differences... Mostly boils down to preference in the end double the cost of wood is it...: Pros and cons Listed – what ’ s “ Unfair Advantages ” to work for taste... Winners and learn how you can look for gray composite decking has going for it would be the lack maintenance! Should also consider: how long will you live in the areas of real Estate are. 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