How Much Does Composite Decking Cost To Build?
How Much Does Composite Decking Cost To Build?
Composite decking prices range from $20 to $38 per square foot with most homeowners spending between $5,800 and $10,900 to install a 12’ x 24’ composite deck with railings. In comparison, a pressure-treated wood deck costs $15 to $25 per square foot while a cedar wood deck starts at $30 per square foot.
$20 – $38 per square foot
Composite decking prices range from $20 to $38 per square foot with most homeowners spending between $5,800 and $10,900 to install a 12’ x 24’ composite deck with railings. In comparison, a pressure-treated wood deck costs $15 to $25 per square foot while a cedar wood deck starts at $30 per square foot.
Composite Decking Prices
The average cost of composite decking ranges from $20 to $38 per square foot, with most homeowners spending between $5,800 and $10,900 to install a 12' x 24' composite deck with railings. In comparison, a pressure-treated wood deck costs $15 to $25 per square foot while a cedar wood deck starts at $30 per square foot.
| National Average Cost | $8,000 |
| Minimum Cost | $5,800 |
| Maximum Cost | $10,900 |
| Average Range | $6,600 to $8,900 |
Composite Decking Cost Per Square Foot
The national average cost of composite decking is $28 per square foot. An entry-level deck costs about $20 per square foot installed, while a premium deck with high-end materials costs $38 per square foot or more.
A typical deck size is around 12' x 24' or 288 sqft. The per square foot prices below include railings and a flat deck on a wood substructure.
| Composite Deck Quality | Cost Per Square Foot Installed | Average Total Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Entry-Level Composite Deck | $20 | $5,800 |
| National Average Cost | $28 | $8,000 |
| Premium Composite Deck | $38 | $10,900 |
How Much Are Composite Deck Boards?
On average, composite deck boards cost $3.20 to $5.80 per linear foot for materials only, not including installation or fastenings. Each board is 5 3/8” wide (5.375”). After adding 10% for waste, you’ll need to buy decking boards for 317 SF (708 LF) for an average 12' x 24' or 288 SF deck.
| Deck Boards Type | Cost Per Linear Foot | Total Materials Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Polyethylene Plastic | $3.80 | $2,700 |
| PVC | $3.80 | $2,700 |
| Polypropylene Plastic | $3.20 – $5.80 | $2,300 – $4,100 |
Cost To Install Composite Decking
The average labor cost to install composite decking is $7.50 per square foot. A 24' x 12' (288 SF) deck will take an average of 34.5 hours to build with a labor cost of around $2,200 if installing on an existing substructure.
The labor to install a substructure, the deck, and the railings costs $3,200 and takes an average of 50 hours.
Composite Decking Cost Factors
The price of composite decking depends on:
Deck size – The larger or more complex your deck is, the more it will cost.
Design / corner angles – The more creative your design is, the more the deck will cost. If your dream deck is the shape of a hexagon rather than a square, all those angle cuts will add to the installation cost at a price of about $60 per hour.
Structural obstacles – Costs increase if the deck is built around trees or other structures.
Substructure – Building a substructure adds $4 per square foot.
Accessories – Built-in lighting or plumbing increases costs:
Electricians charge $50 to $130 per hour to run wire to the deck or install lighting fixtures.
Plumbers charge $45 to $150 per hour to install plumbing for a hot tub or outdoor shower.
Remove the old deck – Demolition companies charge $5 to $15 per square foot to remove the old deck and haul it away.
Grading / leveling – If your new composite deck needs to be built on level ground, yard leveling costs $500 to $1,000.
Time of year – Contractors charge premium installation prices in the spring and may offer deals in the late summer or fall..
Composite Decking Vs. Wood Cost
The average cost of composite decking ranges from $20 to $38 per square foot installed, depending on the material quality. In comparison, the cost to build a pressure-treated wood deck is $15 to $25 per square foot, while a cedar wood deck starts at $30 per square foot.
| Decking Type | Average Price Per Square Foot* |
|---|---|
| Composite | $20 – $38 |
| Pressure-Treated Wood | $15 – $25 |
| Cedar Wood | $30+ |
*Including labor and materials.
Benefits Of Composite Decking Vs. Wood
Composite decking material offers many benefits, including its low maintenance and durability. Composite decking also increases your home's resale value, and despite the high total cost, you can see a return on investment (ROI) of about 64%.
The lifespan of composite decking is twice that of real wood. Most composite manufacturers offer a 25-year warranty on their products.
Lifetime maintenance costs for a composite deck are lower than for a real wood deck. Real wood decks must be sealed, cleaned, sanded, stained, or painted on a regular basis to stay looking nice.
Composite Decking Pros and Cons
While composite decking may have a higher initial cost than wood plank decking, it has a longer life, avoiding many of the problems wood has. These benefits explain how composite decking is more cost-effective versus wood.
Pros
Durability – Composite decking is made to withstand the weather. It’s manufactured from durable materials that won’t rot, warp, or splinter, and they are mildew and mold resistant.
Bug Resistant – Insects don't feed on it like they do with wood.
Color Fast – It's fade and stain resistant.
Eco-Friendly – It's made from recyclable materials.
Low-Maintenance – It’s maintenance free: no sanding, staining, painting, or sealing required.
Installation friendly – It can be installed easily with a user-friendly interlocking system.
Fire resistant – It won't burn easily like wood.
Cons
Cost – The initial installation cost of composite decking is higher than wood. However, the low-maintenance cost for composite decking usually evens out those costs over time when compared to wood decks.
Repair Costs – If you do incur some wind damage and receive some significant scrapes or scratches in your composite decking, it can’t just be sanded out. A board or tile will need to be replaced.
Color Changes – You can’t change the color of your composite decking. The color you order is what you’ll have for the life of your deck.
Slippery – Some composite decking materials can be slippery when wet.
Composite Decking Materials & Deck Boards
Composite Decking Materials
There are three main types of composite decking materials. When making your decision, compare the advantages and disadvantages of each type:
Polyethylene Plastic – This is created by mixing the polyethylene with wood fibers, grain hulls, or other filler material, along with some chemicals to aid in sealing the boards or tiles to protect against mold and mildew. It costs $3.80 per linear foot.
PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) – PVC decking is also known as vinyl decking and costs $3.80 per linear foot. This product is made from composite decking materials, but it is encapsulated in PVC as it is manufactured. This provides protection from mildew, stains, fading from the sun, and scratching.
Polypropylene Plastic – Polypropylene is used in higher-end composite decking materials and costs $3.20 to $5.80 per linear foot. It is resistant to heat and will not warp in prolonged moisture. It's more durable than polyethylene or PVC-based composite decking.
Solid & Hollow Composite Deck Boards
Composite decking will either be solid or hollow. Both have advantages and disadvantages, but both will build a strong and durable deck.
| Solid Composite Decking Materials | Hollow Composite Decking Materials |
|---|---|
| Approx. $2.80 per linear foot | Approx. $3.60 per linear foot |
| Are heavier, feeling more like real wood, but being heavier, they need more structural support | Have ends with a tunnel-like design that’s not found in real wood |
| Might expand and contract with temperature fluctuations, which can loosen fasteners and cause the boards to warp | Because they're hollow, expansion and contraction doesn’t affect them as much. |
| Are very strong. | Are easily damaged during installation |
| Look more like real wood, especially at the ends of the board | Have a more uniform and manmade look to the boards |
Grooved or Ungrooved Deck Boards
Grooved board have a channel on their sides so they can slide into each other and lock in place with deck fasteners. Prices start at $3.60 per linear foot. Ungrooved boards are installed with visible nails and start at $1.50 per linear foot.
Colors of Composite Decking
Since you will have your composite decking for the lifetime of your deck, it’s best to choose a neutral color that will go with anything. Composite decking comes in natural colors in the brown and gray family, with names such as pebble, slate, and mahogany. Colors that look like teak or walnut are also available. You can also choose composite decking by texture and wood grain pattern.
Composite Deck Designs & Enhancements
There are many design enhancements when installing a deck, which will add to your total cost. Railings and steps are the two most common additions, but you can also include custom built-in seating, a place for a hot tub, or roofing.
Naturally, if you decide to add any deviation from the standard rectangle shape and design, your costs will increase. Prices will go even higher if you need plumbing and electricity installation services.
Composite Decking Options
| Additional Options | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Railing | $36 per linear foot |
| Custom/built-in seating | $2,500 – $5,500 |
| Planter boxes | $120 each |
| Privacy screen | $45 per panel |
| Steps | $55 – $100 each |
| Roofing/Pergola framing | $2 per square foot |
| Trellis or skirt finish | $30 – $35 per square foot |
Trex Composite Decking Cost
Many would say the best composite decking material is Trex. An average 24’ x 12’ deck that is 288 square feet built with Trex decking costs $4,200 to $10,800 for materials and installation. Trex decking materials cost $8.25 per square foot on average, while the average labor cost to install decking is $7.50 per square foot.
Trex Decking Cost Per Square Foot
Trex decking comes in a wide variety of colors, with three main product lines: the Trex Select, Trex Enhanced, and Trex Transcend which each come at a different price per square foot to meet your needs.
| Trex Decking Type | Material Costs Per Sq. Ft. | Labor Costs Per Sq. Ft. | Total Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Range | $7.20 | $7.50 | $4,200 |
| High End | $26.70 | $10.90 | $10,800 |
How To Save When Building A Composite Deck
There are some ways to save money on your composite deck.
Install it yourself. Installation of a composite deck is much quicker and easier than installing a wood deck unless you have no substructure in place, and you can save $2,000 to $3,000 on labor. Preparing the site and installing footings may be more complicated. Consider hiring the professional to do that part before you install the deck itself.
Build your deck on level ground rather than a slope. Leveling the soil properly before you begin can cost $300 to $1,000.
Choose hollow composite decking over solid. It’s about $0.80 per linear foot cheaper.
Keep your design simple. Every corner requires more carpentry work and time.
Build a smaller deck and save $20 to $25 for every square foot you shave off it.
Schedule your installation in the off season. Many contractors have more availability and may be a bit more flexible on cost if you have the deck installed in the late fall or winter.
Eliminate the need for electrical wiring or plumbing by forgoing any accessories that require lights or water.
Remove the old deck yourself, but you will have to dispose of the old wood. It might be more cost effective to have your contractor do this compared to hiring a junk removal service for $5 to $15 per square foot of debris.
Spread out the cost by building one level now and a second level later. However, it could end up being cheaper overall to get the entire project built at one time rather than have contractors come out again to do the second phase of construction.
Composite Deck Maintenance
Follow these tips for composite decking maintenance:
Sweep off the deck
Use the hose or a little soap and water on any spills
Use a deck cleaning solution to remove greasy stains
Clean your composite decking regularly for best results. If you use your deck quite a bit, clean it monthly and clean up spills immediately.
Painting or staining your composite deck is unnecessary because the boards are already dyed all the way through.
Read our tips on the cost to build a deck, neighborhood restrictions, safety measures before installation, higher property taxes, and insurance on your new deck.
Composite decking FAQs
How much does it cost to build a 12' x 24' deck?
On average, building a PVC deck costs $9,300 to $11,000 including installation with 10 railing posts, a railing, and deck footings. A similar deck using Trex composite decking costs $4,200 and $10,800, while a deck using pressure-treated wood will cost $6,200 to $7,400.
How much more expensive is composite decking than wood?
A pressure-treated wood deck costs $15 to $25 per square foot installed, while a composite deck costs $20 to $30 per square foot. The composite deck will cost more up front, but the savings in the maintenance cost over the years will make up for it, and the composite deck will last longer than a wood deck.
How much does Trex decking cost per square foot?
Trex decking costs $15 to $38 per square foot installed. The typical deck of 24 x 12 will run $4,200 to $10,800 for materials and installation.
How much does it cost to replace a wood deck with composite?
You can replace your existing wood deck with composite decking for about $22 per square foot. You’ll need to remove the old wood decking too for $5 to $15 per square foot.
Finding A Deck Builder
When hiring a deck builder near you, make sure the company you select meets the following criteria:
High ratings and reviews on HomeGuide and Google
Licensed, insured, and bonded
5+ years of experience building decks
An extensive portfolio of past decks completed
Provides a detailed estimate
Includes setup and cleanup in the bid
Provides a start and end date
Provides references with contact information
Offers a warranty on parts and labor
