Materials
Every board, side by side.
Price, lifespan and upkeep for the five decking materials we build with. Move the slider to see how each one looks after a few summers.
6 years
051015 yrs
Pressure treatedLowest so far
Lasts about 15 yrsUpkeep $550/yr · wash and stain
3 restains so far
Spent so far$12,300
Use this in the planner →Cedar
Lasts about 20 yrsUpkeep $420/yr · seal every 2 to 3 yrs
2 restains so far
Spent so far$15,120
Use this in the planner →Hardwood
Lasts about 30 yrsUpkeep $380/yr · oil every 1 to 2 yrs
3 restains so far
Spent so far$23,880
Use this in the planner →Composite
Lasts about 30 yrsUpkeep $40/yr · wash once a year
Colour holds, no stain needed
Spent so far$15,840
Use this in the planner →PVC
Lasts about 35 yrsUpkeep $30/yr · wash once a year
Colour holds, no stain needed
Spent so far$19,680
Use this in the planner →Totals are for a 300 sq ft deck: build cost plus upkeep to date, and a rebuild if the boards outlive their lifespan. Typical figures, not a quote.
Compare
The short version
Material
Built, per sq ft
Lasts
Upkeep
Best for
Pressure treated
$25 to $35
15 years
Stain every 2 yrs
Tight budgets, ground-level decks
Cedar
$35 to $50
20 years
Seal every 2 to 3 yrs
Natural look and smell
Hardwood
$60 to $85
30 years
Oil every 1 to 2 yrs
Dense, rich colour, long life
Composite
$45 to $65
30 years
Wash once a year
Low upkeep, most families
PVC
$55 to $75
35 years
Wash once a year
Pools, coast, full sun
Ready when you are
Picked a favourite?
Open the planner with that material and see what your deck would cost.