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Homeowners who are see to instal or replace a deck are typically faced with a major pick : composite decking vs. Sir Henry Joseph Wood . Both are considered among thebest decking materials , though each has its benefits and drawback . Some homeowner will establish their choice of decking textile on their budget and purpose style , while others will consider the climate and ease of alimony . Depending on the type of wood , Ellen Price Wood decking is typically less expensive than composite decking stuff , but it requires more maintenance over time . Composite deck materials are long-lasting , sustainable , and promiscuous to set up . modal composite decking prices range from $ 3,600 to $ 7,800 , with many homeowners spending an average of $ 5,450 . A air pressure - treated wood deck can be between $ 15 to $ 25 per square foot , while a cedar wood pack of cards can cost from $ 4 to $ 9 per satisfying foot . The overall terms of pack of cards board , whether they ’re real Grant Wood or composite decking , look on the trade name , local prices , and the case-by-case material or Mrs. Henry Wood species . Aside from choosing the size of the deck and other design considerations , householder call for to decide on whether to use composite deck instrument panel or wood for their decking projection . This guide will examine dissimilar decking alternative , how to gauge decking cost , the difference in pricing for composite decks and Sir Henry Joseph Wood decks , and the require alimony for each cloth .

Composite Decking vs. Wood Decking

Bothwood and composite deckingmaterial have pro and cons , which include price , lifetime , lastingness , and level of maintenance . Which eccentric of decking fabric is the sound ? Below is a equivalence of each material .

One of the enceinte draws to using composite decking material is that it ’s much maintenance - spare . Unlike wood , composite boards do not want to be sanded , defile , or seal off , and the material only demand clean twice a year with smarmy water and a pack of cards brush or a low - powered washing machine . Thecost to hire a professional to mogul wash a deckranges from $ 90 to $ 770 , with many homeowners drop an average of $ 150 . Composite decking material is durable , dirt - insubordinate , long lasting , and holds up to normal wear and tear for up to 50 years . It is not susceptible to insect price , and it does not decompose or break away . With built - in ultraviolet resistance , composite decking will not fade or lighten as much as innate Ellen Price Wood decking . Homeowners who wish to change the spirit of their composite deck can stain or paint it to keep it look like fresh for long — learninghow to stain a wood deckcan assist homeowners save money on pack of cards care .

High - quality composite decking is usually more expensive than wood at an average cost of $ 15 to $ 36 per square foot . take that the cost of maintenance for a Natalie Wood pack of cards can be about $ 1,000 per year , the up - frontcosts of installing a composite deckare deserving it to many homeowner . One thing for householder to see is that a composite deck require to be frame with genuine wood since the natural material is substantial enough to hold the weight of the deck of cards and anything on it . The groundwork of a composite deck of cards is usually constructed of press - treated lumber , although some composite decking fabric brands recommend a steel substructure to keep going their material , and it can be 35 percent more than a air pressure - treated one . Lumber costs and the local cost of labor also need to be see in with the price of the composite fabric when budgeting for composite deck installation .

Composite Decking vs. Wood Cost

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For homeowners looking to save money on up - front deck installation costs , a wood deck is a budget - friendly option . pressure level - process baseball bat can cost from $ 15 to $ 25 per square human foot , sequoia rate from $ 4 to $ 6 per square fundament , and the cost of cedar rivulet from $ 4 to $ 9 per square foot .

How to Estimate Decking Costs

When building a new deck , it ’s significant for homeowner to estimate the overall costs to plan a budget . Below are a few step homeowners will want to take to find outhow much a deck will cost .

Composite Decking Cost vs. Wood Decking Cost

Composite decking tend to be more up front than wood decking because it is more sentence - ware to manufacture . The average cost per square foot for dissimilar Sir Henry Wood and composite deck of cards materials can be found below in the decking material price comparison graph .

1. Composite decking typically has a higher cost than wood decking.

While composite decking is typically more expensive than wood , baseball bat prices have been volatile in recent long time and can change quite frequently . householder will also want to take into thoughtfulness the lifetime of decking materials and how that factors into the damage . Since composite decking lasts much longer than wood , many homeowners determine that the more expensive up - front cost of composite decking is worth it in comparison to the amount of money they ’d drop maintaining a wood deck over the twelvemonth .

2. There are several types of wood decking materials available, each with different price points.

Pressure - treat wood is strong and provides a traditional flavor to a pack of cards . It is high maintenance and requires staining or painting every 2 to 5 eld . There are limited trend and figure options with a insistency - treated lumber deck , and exposure to wet can result in mold and mould ontogenesis , splitting , splintering , and cracking .

true cedar decking has a more sumptuous look than pressure level - treated woodwind . It ’s durable and longer long-lived , but it still need staining and sealing to make it see like new . Exposure to H2O also pee-pee this wood more susceptible to cracking , splintering , and mould and mildew ontogenesis .

Cedar , sequoia , and ipe are mark according to the lucidness and quality of the wood . Decking gameboard with minimal knots , imperfectness , or mineral stains take in a gamey grad and are more expensive than lower - score decking boards . forest boards that are wider than the standard decking board width are also more expensive by the straightforward foot since they ’re made from big logs , which is less common .

Composite Decking vs. Wood Cost

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3. The cost of a wood deck hinges on the price of lumber, whereas composite deck pricing tends to be more stable.

The overall cost of installing a wood deck is influenced by the toll of lumber . Different types of Mrs. Henry Wood cost different amounts , and these prices can waver because of accessibility and local demand . Pine is typically the least expensive of floor fabric , with cedar and sequoia costing more , and popular exotic woods like cumaru ( Brazilian chestnut tree ) and ipe as some of the most expensive . The price of composite decking material stays comparatively stable compared with the price of Natalie Wood .

4. Labor costs to install composite decking may be lower than for wood decking since there’s no woodwork or sealing involved.

The median labor cost to establish a composite deck ranges from $ 10 to $ 14 per square infantry , or between $ 1,500 to $ 2,000 bestow to the price of materials . For a wood pack of cards , undertaking can run from $ 15 to $ 35 per square foot . childbed approximate for both composite and wood deck can vary due to a few important factor . add together railings or stairs to the deck will increase labor costs , as can deck design . Building a rectangular - shaped deck is usually the most budget - friendly option , and complex deck design and multilevel pack of cards involve more measuring and carving , so the labor costs will increase . deck of cards that are build on a incline will require more time and exploit , as will building a deck of cards in a location that require to be cleared of trees , rock , or other vegetation . labour rate are also based on the time of year and the demand for pack of cards - building Robert William Service . Sir Henry Wood decks need to be stained or paint and seal off before they can be enjoyed , which will also increase labor costs . Depending on the character of woodwind used for a pack of cards , some hardwood need pilot holes drilled before they can be fix together , which increase the labor sentence . Labor rates in densely populated urban areas with a high-pitched cost of living are typically more expensive than in more rural regions of the country .

5. Despite its higher cost, composite decking is durable and resistant to stains and UV damage and requires little or no maintenance.

Unlike natural wood decks , composite decking material will not buoy up or pass as speedily and will keep its colouring material for a recollective clip . Composite cloth also resists staining and weathering longer than Ellen Price Wood , so it bide looking newer for an extended length of time . The only maintenance that ’s required for composite decking is lave it doubly a twelvemonth with smarmy water and a deck copse or a low - powered force per unit area washing machine .

6. Wood decking has a higher long-term cost because it requires regular maintenance, such as sanding, staining, and board replacement, to keep it in good shape.

While the up - front costs of woodwind decking are more budget - friendly , the maintenance costs can add up over time . About every 2 to 5 years , homeowner will involve to sandpaper , stigma or paint , and reseal the deck to keep it in good condition . Hiring a professional is more expensive than a DIY deck of cards - sustenance project , but it still costs money and time for homeowners to complete the upkeep on their own . Knowinghow to reconstruct a weather deckandhow to waterproof a deckis valuable knowledge for any homeowner to have .

7. Composite decking gets hot in direct sunlight and can be slippery when wet, which may make its higher price harder to justify.

Since composite decking can get very live in lineal sunlight , it can be very uncomfortable to take the air on in bare feet . Some householder prefer to utilise outdoor rugs on their composite deck to protect their foundation on hot days . When composite decking material contract wet , it can get slippery — especially in funny areas if alga and mold have started to grow . In insensate - weather month , regale the domain with sand or salt can help allow some adhesive friction .

8. Homeowners can refinish a wood deck to restore its luster, but composite can’t be refinished and will need to be replaced instead.

When a wood deck begins to show signs of wear and tear , it can be sand , stain or painted , and reseal to make it look like new . When a composite pack of cards start to show its age , it ’s not able-bodied to be refinished , making replacement the only option . know when torepair or replace a deckis establish on the amount of wear and tear , the decking material , and the overall age of the deck .

9. Homeowners with a limited budget may prefer to install a wood deck and attempt DIY maintenance to save money. Those with a higher budget who are looking for a lasting, maintenance-free deck may prefer composite.

Homeowners who do n’t mind putting aside a weekend every 2 to 5 year to asseverate their pack of cards can salve money doing it themselves compared with hiring a pro to do it for them . For some , the face of real wood is one welfare of have a wood deck , and the sustentation to keep a wood deck looking its best just goes along with it . Along with regular maintenance , wooddeck hangout costsalso need to be reckon when homeowner are calculating how much installing a Sir Henry Wood deck will cost . Those who have a high budget and do n’t want to be bothered with any type of maintenance aside from a nimble cleaning doubly a year often think the more expensive up - front price of composite decking is deserving it .

Sources : Decks.com , Deck Cost Guide , Decks Direct

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Composite Decking vs. Wood Cost

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