composite

Composite vs. Wood Deck Cost in 2026: Which Saves More Long-Term?

Composite vs. Wood Deck: Cost, Maintenance & Value Compared (2026) Composite decking costs $30-$60 per square foot installed in 2026, roughly double the $15-$25/sq ft price of pressure-treated wood -- but composite's near-zero maintenance means it costs less over 20 years. For a standard 320 sq ft deck, pressure-treated wood totals about $16,000 over 20 years (including stain, seal, and board replacements), while composite holds at roughly $14,400. The crossover point where composite becomes cheaper is somewhere around year 12-14 for most projects. The composite-vs-wood conversation comes up on nearly every decking project. Consider two nearly identical 16x20 decks built three miles apart in northern Virginia -- one in Trex Transcend, one in pressure-treated southern pine. The PT deck cost $6,400 installed. The composite came to $13,800. On paper, the wood deck looks like a slam dunk. But eight months later, the PT deck's homeowner was already on his knees...