What one homeowner sees as being a benefit, another may see as a chore. While some DIYers may not mind the upkeep required for wood decks, keep in mind the next homeowner might not feel the same way. But keep in mind that while the cost of materials may be less, sealing a wood deck is a labor-intensive job and can take as many as two full days to complete.Īs you can see, after just two to three years, the additional expense of maintaining a seemingly lower costing pressure treated wood deck starts to encroach on what a high-quality hardwood composite deck would have cost. Of course, the DIY homeowner has the option of renting the equipment, cleaners, stain and sealants and tackling the job on his/her own. Most homeowners pay between $594 and $849 per year 2. Industry research has found that homeowners spend an average of $761 a year on professional deck maintenance (sanding, prepping and staining). That costs money in terms of the price of materials and the time and labor required for the homeowner to do the job themselves or find a contractor to do the job for them. ![]() To prevent this from happening, lumber decking must be sealed with paint or stain every few years. This can cause a host of problems - from surface mold and mildew growth to structural damage. Since wood is an organic material, it’s naturally absorbent, meaning that water will not only adhere to a wood surface, it also can seep into it. ![]() There definitely is a cost associated with completing all that work - no matter if you choose to do it yourself or hire someone.Īll lumber - even wood that has been treated with preservatives - is susceptible to damage from moisture. However, in order to keep the wood deck looking and performing as it should, it will need constant attention and maintenance. Initially, the cost of installing a pressure treated wood deck will be lower. The same principles can be applied to comparing the cost of composite decking with pressure treated wood. Essentially, LTV and TCO measure the total amount of time and money that someone will spend on something while they own it. So why would someone spend more on composite decking when they can get the same outcome using pressure treated wood for considerably less? Well, it really comes down to two things: comparing the long-term value (LTV) and the total cost of ownership (TCO) of both purchases. It’s in these “hidden costs” that buying a higher priced - yet higher quality - item starts to make sense. While no one wants to spend more for something than they may have to, there are several other components that contribute to the total cost of purchasing any product. However, after just two to three years of routine maintenance, that cost difference is easily erased. If we assume a 20’ x 20’ deck, then a rough estimate for pressure treated wood would be around $3,000, whereas the same deck built with a high-quality composite material might cost around $5,600 1. The average deck size is usually around 400 square feet. However, simply comparing the material and installation costs alone doesn’t tell the whole story. ![]() Averaging between $3.50 and $5.00 per linear foot, the cost of installing a high-quality composite deck will certainly be higher than building with traditional pressure treated lumber, which can cost between $1.00 and $2.00 per linear foot 1. ![]() Many homeowners struggle with trying to justify the cost of composite decking.
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