Materials
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5
min read
Composite or wood? An honest comparison
Composite costs more up front and less over time. Here is where the lines cross, and when wood is still the better pick.
It is the question we get on almost every site visit. The short answer: composite if you want to stop thinking about your deck, wood if you love the look and don't mind a weekend of upkeep every couple of years.
Upfront cost
A typical 300 sq ft composite deck costs $14,000 to $20,000 built. The same deck in pressure-treated pine is closer to $8,000 to $11,000, and cedar sits in between.
Cost over time
Wood needs washing and staining every two to three years. Add that up and composite usually catches up somewhere between year ten and fifteen. Move the slider in our Material lab to see it.
When wood wins
Short-term homes, tight budgets, and anyone who wants the real thing. Cedar and hardwood age beautifully if you keep up with them.
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More ideas
Materials
·
5
min read
Composite or wood? An honest comparison
Composite costs more up front and less over time. Here is where the lines cross, and when wood is still the better pick.
Planning
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4
min read
Do I need a permit for a deck?
Most decks need one. What triggers a permit, what the inspector checks, and how long it takes.
Pricing
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6
min read
What a deck really costs in 2026
Price per square foot by material, plus the extras that move the number: height, stairs, railing and a pergola.