Composite vs. Wood Deck: A 20-Year Total Cost Comparison
Cedar / pressure-treated vs. Trex / TimberTech — which actually costs less over 20 years?
Composite costs 2× as much to build but eliminates the $300–800/year staining + repair cycle that wood demands. Run the math past year 10 and composite is cheaper. Run it past year 20 and it's a rout.
At a Glance
Composite (Trex / TimberTech / Azek)
Wood-fiber + recycled-plastic boards with capped (sealed) surface.
- Cost
- $30–60/sq ft installed
- Lifespan
- 25–30+ years
Pros
- No staining, sealing, or sanding — ever
- Won't splinter, rot, or warp
- Color stays consistent
- Most lines carry 25–50 year fade/stain warranties
Cons
- 2× upfront cost of pressure-treated
- Gets hot under direct sun (lighter colors help)
- Can't be refinished — replace if damaged
- Less "natural" look than real wood
Wood (Cedar / Pressure-Treated)
Real wood — pressure-treated pine (cheapest) or cedar/redwood (mid).
- Cost
- $15–35/sq ft installed
- Lifespan
- 15–25 years (maintained)
Pros
- Half the upfront cost
- Natural look
- Can be stained/painted any color
- Boards swap individually if damaged
Cons
- Needs sealing/staining every 2–3 years ($400–800)
- Splinters, rots, warps over time
- Pressure-treated chemicals
- Lifespan drops fast without maintenance
Decision Matrix
| Factor | Composite (Trex / TimberTech / Azek) | Wood (Cedar / Pressure-Treated) | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upfront cost | — | ✓ | |
| Annual maintenance | ✓ | — | Composite ~$0; wood ~$300–800/yr |
| 20-year TCO | ✓ | — | |
| Lifespan | ✓ | — | |
| Natural look | — | ✓ | |
| Repairability | — | ✓ |
Bottom Line
Composite if you're staying 10+ years or hate yard work. Wood if you're budget-tight and don't mind the staining cycle. Either way, splurge on capped composite or cedar — pressure-treated is short-term thinking.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is composite decking really maintenance-free?
Close to it. Capped composite needs a soap-and-water rinse a couple times a year. No staining, sealing, or sanding ever. Older uncapped composite (pre-2010) did mildew — modern capped boards solved that.
Does composite get really hot in summer?
Darker boards can hit 130°F+ in direct summer sun. TimberTech and newer Trex lines use cooler core technology that keeps surface temps closer to natural wood. Choose light grays or browns for hot climates.
How long until composite pays back vs. wood?
Around year 10–12 — by then you've spent $3–8K maintaining wood, and the wood deck is probably due for board replacement. Past year 15 composite is cheaper, often by a lot.
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