How this calculator works
This tool runs both materials through the same size and the same state cost index, so you’re comparing apples to apples. Two numbers matter, and they don’t always point the same way.
Upfront vs. 10-year
The upfront columns are the installed build cost — framing, boards, fasteners, labor. Composite’s sticker price is simply higher per square foot.
The 10-year lines add the cost of keeping each deck alive. Wood gets re-stained roughly every three years (we count the materials for those coats); composite just gets washed. Even with that maintenance added in, pressure-treated wood usually stays cheaper across a decade — so if the lowest total dollars is your only goal, wood is the honest answer.
So why does anyone buy composite?
Two reasons this calculator can’t put a clean dollar figure on: time and lifespan. Composite skips the sand-and-stain weekends entirely, and quality boards outlast wood by a decade or more. If you’ll own the home long enough to otherwise rebuild a wood deck, composite’s math improves the further out you look. Pick wood to spend less; pick composite to do less.
2026 installed cost per square foot
Composite carries a higher sticker price; pressure-treated wood is the budget baseline. The 10-year view below is where the gap narrows.
| Option | Low (per sq ft) | High (per sq ft) | Typical (per sq ft) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Composite | $38 | $70 | $55 |
| Pressure-treated wood | $25 | $45 | $35 |
Estimated cost by state
Typical installed range for a 320 sq ft composite deck, installed (the wood option runs lower), adjusted by each state's construction cost index. Your actual project scales with the size and options you enter above.
| State | Estimated low | Estimated high |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $10,822 | $19,936 |
| Alaska | $13,984 | $25,760 |
| Arizona | $12,038 | $22,176 |
| Arkansas | $10,944 | $20,160 |
| California | $13,984 | $25,760 |
| Colorado | $11,917 | $21,952 |
| Connecticut | $12,768 | $23,520 |
| Delaware | $12,038 | $22,176 |
| District of Columbia | $12,525 | $23,072 |
| Florida | $11,430 | $21,056 |
| Georgia | $11,066 | $20,384 |
| Hawaii | $15,565 | $28,672 |
| Idaho | $12,038 | $22,176 |
| Illinois | $14,470 | $26,656 |
| Indiana | $12,525 | $23,072 |
| Iowa | $12,282 | $22,624 |
| Kansas | $11,917 | $21,952 |
| Kentucky | $12,038 | $22,176 |
| Louisiana | $11,309 | $20,832 |
| Maine | $12,038 | $22,176 |
| Maryland | $12,160 | $22,400 |
| Massachusetts | $14,227 | $26,208 |
| Michigan | $12,403 | $22,848 |
| Minnesota | $13,741 | $25,312 |
| Mississippi | $10,944 | $20,160 |
| Missouri | $13,133 | $24,192 |
| Montana | $12,525 | $23,072 |
| Nebraska | $12,160 | $22,400 |
| Nevada | $12,282 | $22,624 |
| New Hampshire | $12,282 | $22,624 |
| New Jersey | $14,349 | $26,432 |
| New Mexico | $11,066 | $20,384 |
| New York | $13,619 | $25,088 |
| North Carolina | $11,552 | $21,280 |
| North Dakota | $12,403 | $22,848 |
| Ohio | $12,525 | $23,072 |
| Oklahoma | $11,309 | $20,832 |
| Oregon | $12,525 | $23,072 |
| Pennsylvania | $12,403 | $22,848 |
| Rhode Island | $13,619 | $25,088 |
| South Carolina | $11,430 | $21,056 |
| South Dakota | $11,795 | $21,728 |
| Tennessee | $11,795 | $21,728 |
| Texas | $11,066 | $20,384 |
| Utah | $12,038 | $22,176 |
| Vermont | $12,160 | $22,400 |
| Virginia | $11,309 | $20,832 |
| Washington | $13,498 | $24,864 |
| West Virginia | $11,066 | $20,384 |
| Wisconsin | $12,890 | $23,744 |
| Wyoming | $12,038 | $22,176 |
Frequently asked questions
Is composite or wood decking cheaper?
To build, wood wins — pressure-treated runs roughly $25–$45 per sq ft installed versus $38–$70 for composite. Over ten years, re-staining the wood closes some of the gap, but wood usually still comes out cheaper on pure dollars. You pay extra for composite to buy back your weekends and get a longer-lasting deck.
How long does each one last?
A well-maintained pressure-treated deck typically lasts 15–20 years; quality composite is often warrantied 25–30 years. If you plan to stay put for a long time, composite's longer life and the deck you avoid rebuilding can tilt the lifetime math in its favor — beyond the 10-year window this tool shows.
What maintenance does each need?
Wood needs cleaning and a fresh coat of stain or sealer about every 2–3 years to resist rot, splintering, and graying. Composite needs an occasional wash with soap and water — no sanding, no staining. That difference is the whole reason composite costs more upfront.
Does composite get hot or fade?
Darker composite boards can run hotter underfoot in direct sun than wood, though modern capped boards have improved. Quality composite resists fading and staining far better than wood; budget composite can chalk or fade sooner, which is why the price range is wide.
Which adds more resale value?
Both add usable outdoor space, which buyers like. Wood decks have historically shown slightly better cost recovery percentages simply because they cost less to build, but a low-maintenance composite deck can be an easier sell. Neither is a money-maker on its own — value comes from the years you use it.
Disclaimer: Estimates are for planning only and reflect typical ranges, not quotes. Actual costs vary with site conditions, design complexity, local permits, and contractor availability. Pricing approach: national averages cross-referenced from public cost guides, adjusted by a state construction cost index — see our methodology.
Price data sources: Homewyse, HomeGuide, Fixr & Ergeon 2025–2026 installed deck cost ranges (composite vs. pressure-treated); Lowe's / Home Depot decking board and exterior stain retail pricing; Industry guidance on wood re-stain intervals (every 2–3 years) and composite washing. Last updated: June 2026.