Wood And Composite Decking Comparison
What Is The Price Difference Between Wood And Composite Decking?
Composite is more expensive than standard pine and cedar wood decks. How much more expensive? There are many variables that affect the final installed price, so it's difficult to provide figures without evaluating a homeowner's individual needs. However, before a homeowner is ready for an actual estimate, we are able to tell them WHY there is a difference in price. If you're currently researching installing a new deck, the initial outlay is only a part of the big picture. Here's what else you need to know.Upfront Material & Installation Costs
Let's look at a hypothetical deck build scenario here in Naperville. A homeowner wants to build a standard deck and wants to choose between pressure treated pine and composite. For the sake of having numbers to compare, we'll say the pine deck costs $6,000 installed and the composite deck $10,000.
While a difference of $4,000 upfront may in fact be cost-prohibitive for some homeowners, the difference often becomes nominal when considering the positive impact of long term value-add, enhanced durability and very low maintenance required.
Durability & Lifespan
Not only is composite eco-friendly since it doesn't require cutting trees down, it's also far more durable than wood. Composite is not subject to the same issues wood deck owners may run into, such as splintering, rotting, warping, fading and insect infestation. A manmade material, composite decks generally last 25-30 years or longer. A pressure-treated wood deck requires annual maintenance to protect it against the elements. Also the organic nature of wood means it will eventually fail and require replacement. Expect a wood deck to last around 10-15 years. When you take into consideration that you may have to buy two wood decks over the lifespan of one composite deck, the cost puts composite in the lead.Ongoing Maintenance Costs
Lastly, when you're comparing wood and composite decks, you have to factor in ongoing maintenance time and costs. Composite decks need nothing more than annual washings to keep dirt and mildew off. Wood decks require annual washing, staining and sealing, plus sanding about every 3-5 years depending on level of exposure to the elements. While power washing, sanding, staining and sealing your own deck is a feasible DIY job, it's tedious and time-consuming, and many homeowners prefer to hire a professional to avoid the hassle. The cost to have a deck professionally washed, stained and sealed averages about $1.00 per square foot (SF). With a 400 SF deck, estimate cost range to be between $500 and $750 annually to maintain (includes material & labor costs). Approximate a minimum of $5,000+ over the course of the deck's lifespan which is more than the cost of a composite deck which lasts longer than ten years!ProTek Is Your Choice For Composite Decks In Naperville
If it's time for a deck check, contact ProTek Construction for a FREE evaluation and estimate. With hundreds of happy customers in the Chicagoland area, we are committed to 100% customer satisfaction. We provide competitive pricing on deck materials and construction, offering products from the top manufacturers in the composite industry. Most importantly, we stand by our work with an industry leading,15 year warranty on our craftsmanship!Contact us at 331-444-7380 to schedule a free deck evaluation, and mention code DECK200 to receive $200 off any approved decking project.