Composite or Wood Deck: Which is the better investment?

There is a large trade-off in terms of price when comparing composite decking such as Trex decking to traditional pressure treated or cedar lumber. In addition to Trex decking be substantially more expensive the substructure of a low maintenance deck also costs more because of the weight of composite and the need to build your deck above building code (Click here to find out 3 tips when building your Trex Deck).

But is this extra expense worth it over the long term? Assuming you will be in your current residence for at least the next 10 years we go over a short analysis to compare pressure treated to a high-end composite product such as Trex Decking.

Our Assumptions

Inflation Costs Assumption:

To simply this analysis we will not include the cost of inflation over the 10 year period.

Staining Assumptions:

We will assume you are purchasing your deck as a space to relax and not to create more work for yourself. In addition, outdoor staining is quite difficult to apply because of the prep work and weather conditions required for a proper application. For this reason, we will assume you are hiring a reputable staining company to maintain your deck.

Standard Rate for a high quality stain such as Sikkens 2 Coat Application :

Current Prices:
00/ Sqft for decking
10/Ln Foot for Railings with traditional spindles
25/Sqft for skirting
Stain Stripping: 1.00/Sqft

Composite Deck Installtion Assumptions:

We will assume you are hiring a reputable deck installer ensuring all of the products installed adhere to the manufacture’s recommendations so that both the longevity of the deck and product warranties are valid. For example, many builders who do not use composite on a daily basis often do not build their Trex stairs to the recommended 9 inch on centre.

Pressure Treated Decking Vs. Trex Cost Analysis.