And no matter which material you choose, be sure to get your share of quotes so you're able to compare your options and snag a great deal. The cost to install a composite deck is roughly double the cost of wood when you factor in the higher materials cost plus labor. If your budget for installing a deck is limited, you may choose to stick with wood. But keep in mind that composite requires less maintenance over time so that, depending on the size of your deck, at some point, you could break even. The question is really how much you're willing or able to spend upfront. The main reason people choose wood is for the initial cost savings.

Decks Vs Patios: Which Option Is Cheaper?

Most decks have pressure treated wooden frames, so the only material you have to worry about is the surface and railings. And that choice usually comes down to either traditional wood or composite decking. Ipe can cost up to four times the price of the cedar/redwood option because it is imported from South America. Among wood decking’s pros and cons, affordability is a decided benefit. Typically, wood decking is lower cost to purchase than composites, especially in the initial purchase. However, although the initial cost of wood is less, composite usually ends up paying for itself within 2-3 years when including the cost of annual maintenance.

Wood Involves A Lot Of Maintenance

There are still a few tips and ideas you can put to good use if you choose to stick with timber or otherwise. The price you’ll pay for garden decking is, naturally, going to vary from product to product. Therefore, take my following advice as basic guidance and apply it to your own shopping experiences. Rubber Paving is another popular option in British gardens. Again, while the idea of a rubber deck might not appeal to you per se, just take a look at an example. Rubber paving tiles are super-durable, are resistant against the weather, and are very comfortable underfoot. What’s more, you might actually find it cheaper to wooden decking in the long run.

Whats Better: Real Wood Or Composite Wood?

Despite the above given qualities, contrary to some outdated advertising, composite decks are not entirely maintenance free. In order to lower the damage, always pick cleaning detergents that are specifically made for composite materials – otherwise, the deck colour might fade. Opt for a professional that is certified to deal with hard-to-remove stains when the situation’s beyond hope.

Depending on your budget and the needs of your project there are lots of options available. What to Look for in Quality Waterproof Composite Decking Materials. Composite decking is a blend of synthetic and natural materials. Although non-permeable plastic was a large part of the mix, these weren't waterproof boards.

Over the last decade or so, the popularity of composite decking has waged a new question for future deck owners everywhere – wood or composite decking? While each have its own share of pros and cons, including cost, durability, maintenance/labor and lifespan, the checkmarks in the pro-composite decking column seem to be stacking up. However, there are many dedicated wood users who advocate for the material, and thus the composite decking vs wood debate is still in full force. The battle between wood and composite decking materials has been going on for decades with mixed results. While wood decks were clearly winning the bids until some ten years ago, the composite decking materials improved immensely in terms of structure, durability and safety.

Thus, instead of having to put dozens of options head-to-head, your choice becomes simpler, whether it is cedar vs. composite, redwood vs. composite or treated lumber vs. composite. Easy to use online tools can also help youestimate the costswhether you use wood or composite wood decking. Unlike most wood decking, composite decking is not prone to damage from termites and other wood-destroying insects. The result is composites that more closely resemble wood deck boards, like MoistureShield’s Vision decking line. As more builders and homeowners learn of wood decking problems, many are turning to high-performance composite decking. Invented in the late 1980s, wood-plastic composite decking (also called “composite wood decking”) is made of wood fibers encased in plastic. Composite decking is readily available at big box home improvement stores like The Home Depot and Lowe’s, as well as local lumberyards throughout the U.S.