Your deck should be your go-to place for entertaining, relaxing, and enjoying the great outdoors. That means you need to be able to trust that your backyard escape is built with the best, most durable deck materials. You’ve likely heard of composite decking as a superior alternative to traditional wood — but what about budgeting? We’re here to give you the insight you need on composite decking material cost.
How to Think About Upfront Deck Cost
When it comes to your deck — and finding the right deck material option for you — there is more to deck cost than first meets the eye. While deck material certainly impacts your project budget, it’s just one of several important variables to weigh.
Expense Factors at Time of Build
- Deck materials – Will you build with maintenance-prone traditional wood, or innovative composite decking?
- Design – The size, shape, and patterning of your deck surface boards — as well as whether your deck will have a railing — all impact project costs.
- Labor – Will you DIY some or part of your build, or partner with a contractor?
- Substructure – Before you build, you must ensure your existing substructure is healthy.
Explore the Cost to Build a Deck
And discover why TimberTech delivers better long-term value.
Now that you have a better understanding of what affects upfront composite decking material cost, it’s time to take a look at the bigger picture — including long-term value.
Composite Decking Material Cost: The Bigger Picture
See how upfront and long-term capped composite decking material cost compares to traditional wood — including pressure-treated lumber and exotic hardwoods like Ipe.
Pressure-Treated Lumber vs TimberTech® EDGE® Prime+ Collection: Upfront Costs
Pressure-Treated Lumber vs TimberTech EDGE Prime+ Collection: Long-Term Costs
NOTE: The estimated average cost of capped composite deck boards and pressure-treated lumber decking costs are based on the national average for a 16’ x 20’ deck. Meant for visual representation only. Actual costs may vary.
THE TAKEAWAY
For only a bit higher upfront costs in comparison to pressure-treated lumber, TimberTech EDGE will ensure you come out ahead in the long-run.
Ipe Hardwood vs TimberTech AZEK® Vintage Collection®: Upfront Costs
Ipe Hardwood vs TimberTech AZEK Vintage Collection: Long-Term Costs
NOTE: The estimated average cost of capped polymer deck boards and Ipe hardwood decking costs are based on the national average for a 16’ x 20’ deck. Meant for visual representation only. Actual costs may vary.
THE TAKEAWAY
For only marginally more in upfront costs than traditional Ipe, TimberTech AZEK gives you a premium hardwood look that costs you less to maintain.
If you’re thinking: “Okay, I see the cost difference, but is TimberTech really a superior material to wood — especially when it comes to the beauty and longevity of my deck?” In a word: Yes.
Order samples to see (and feel) the difference for yourself.
See the TimberTech Difference for Yourself.
Get samples and see the beauty of nature for yourself (but ditch the accumulated maintenance costs).
Busting Myths Around Composite Decking Material Cost
In addition to narratives around composite decking’s impact on your budget, there are some other common myths about what composite decking will cost you.
The good news? These myths are just that — myths. And like a pressure-treated board in hurricane season, they will crack.
Myth 1: Composite Decking Is Costly to the Environment
Nope, not true. While the idea of plastic in your decking may be an initial turn-off to the sustainably-minded, it’s important to put the material — and its maintenance needs — into context as compared to traditional wood.
The Reality: TimberTech Composite Decking Supports Sustainability
TimberTech capped polymer and capped composite decking uses a majority percentage of recycled plastics — much of which comes from hard-to-recycle materials that would otherwise end up in landfills.
And the wood in our capped composite boards? All 100% recycled wood fibers. That means no trees are cut down to manufacture our decking.
The Environmental Cost of Traditional Wood Decking
All traditional lumber requires trees to be cut down — some of which may come from forests that are not sustainably managed.
Exotic hardwoods, especially, often come from poorly managed — and sometimes downright illegal — logging operations, contributing to devastating deforestation and habitat loss.
While you may still think traditional wood is the “organic” choice when it comes from well-managed forests, think again.
Pressure-Treated Lumber
Pressure-treated lumber can be infused with potentially harmful chemicals to make it moisture- and insect-repellant.
Traditional Wood
Traditional wood (which includes pressure-treated lumber as well as other softwoods and hardwoods) requires stains to stay attractive. Many of these products expose you, your family, and the environment to harmful chemicals like volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
Myth 2: Composite Decking Comes at the Cost of Aesthetics
Some competitors don’t capture the nuanced beauty of wood in their composite deck boards, which has led to a myth that all composite decking has a plastic-y, fake look. But with TimberTech, you lock in a deck that performs better than wood and looks better than the competition.
The Reality: TimberTech Composite Decking Looks Just as Good as Wood
Take a look at real Ipe and Mahogany samples next to capped polymer decking samples from our TimberTech AZEK Vintage Collection®. Could you tell which is which without the labels?
The fact is: You don’t have to sacrifice looks for performance — TimberTech decking delivers both a low-maintenance decking experience and nature-inspired aesthetics. So, if you’re concerned about your deck not looking as good as wood? That’s one cost you don’t have to worry about.
Find the Right Decking for You.
Looking for an attractive, attainable option that lets you ditch wood for good? With our 3 decking lines, we have one to fit your lifestyle.
Choose the Worthwhile Investment — Choose TimberTech
Composite decking material cost is about so much more than the upfront price. Over time, a TimberTech composite deck will end up saving you in the long-run by requiring far less maintenance than a traditional wood deck — and out-performing one, too.
Now that you realize the true value of an investment in TimberTech decking, you’re ready to begin planning for your project.
Once you have a sense of your deck plan and which decking line you’ll choose, use our Cost Calculator to get an estimate of your TimberTech deck’s upfront costs and start planning your project budget.
Crunch the numbers on your project
Jump into our Cost Calculator to figure out the material expenses for your deck remodel.
