Cost estimator
Composite Deck Cost Calculator
Enter deck size and board type. See installed composite or PVC pricing.
Cost estimator
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National average
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These are ballpark figures based on national averages. Actual quotes vary with site access, season and contractor availability.
Updated: January 2026
What affects the price of a composite deck
Composite decking sits at the top of the residential price range, and what you pay per square foot depends on five factors.
Board type. "Composite" today usually means capped wood-plastic composite — Trex, TimberTech AZEK Composite, Fiberon. Capped PVC is the newer, all-plastic option. PVC costs 10% to 20% more per board but resists staining and heat better in intense sun.
Board line within a brand. Every major manufacturer offers a budget line, a mid line and a premium line. Board cost varies by a factor of 2 within a single brand. The higher lines add better colors, grain patterns, warranties and heat performance.
Deck size. Larger decks cost less per square foot because mobilization and setup spread across more area. Very small decks (under 100 sq ft) run 10% to 15% higher per square foot.
Site conditions. A backyard reached only through a side gate slows material delivery. Elevated decks add taller footings, more framing and stairs.
Region. Labor is $10 to $20 per square foot and swings 30% or more between the highest and lowest cost states.
Composite deck price by product
Installed cost per square foot for a ground-level deck with basic perimeter railing built into the price.
| Option | Low | High | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|
Composite (capped) Trex-style capped wood-plastic composite. | $22 | $42 | / sq ft |
Capped PVC All-plastic, best sun and stain resistance. | $25 | $48 | / sq ft |
Cedar (compare) For comparison against natural wood. | $19 | $35 | / sq ft |
Pressure-treated (compare) For comparison against the cheapest wood. | $15 | $29 | / sq ft |
Cost by common deck size
Total installed cost for a ground-level deck with basic railing.
| Option | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
10 x 12 (120 sq ft) | $2,800 | $5,300 |
12 x 14 (168 sq ft) | $3,900 | $7,500 |
12 x 16 (192 sq ft) | $4,400 | $8,400 |
16 x 20 (320 sq ft) | $7,400 | $14,100 |
20 x 20 (400 sq ft) | $9,300 | $17,700 |
| Option | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
10 x 12 (120 sq ft) | $3,200 | $6,100 |
12 x 14 (168 sq ft) | $4,500 | $8,600 |
12 x 16 (192 sq ft) | $5,100 | $9,700 |
16 x 20 (320 sq ft) | $8,500 | $16,300 |
20 x 20 (400 sq ft) | $10,600 | $20,300 |
What is included in these estimates
The base ranges cover a ground-level composite deck by a licensed carpenter. Included:
- Composite or PVC boards, matching hidden fastener clips.
- Joists, beams, ledger board (if attached) and blocking. Frame typically pressure-treated.
- Basic perimeter railing built into the material cost.
- Standard concrete footings sized for local frost line and code.
- Labor for layout, framing, board installation and cleanup.
- A 10% waste factor on materials.
Not included, add through the calculator's add-ons:
- Tear-out and disposal of an existing deck. Budget $3 to $8 per square foot.
- Aluminum, cable, glass or composite railing beyond the basic package. Add $25 to $60 per linear foot.
- Stairs. Each step run costs $150 to $400.
- Fascia boards to hide the frame, skirting, under-deck ceilings.
- Post lights, low-voltage lighting or electrical receptacles.
- Premium composite lines (dual-color streaked boards, hardwood-look). Add 15% to 30%.
Composite deck brands compared
Three brands dominate the US residential composite market. Their product lines look confusingly similar in a big-box aisle, but the warranties and pricing differ.
Trex. The largest brand and the one most homeowners recognize. Product lines run from Enhance Basics (budget, $3 to $4 per linear foot in material) through Enhance Naturals (mid) to Transcend and Signature (premium at $6 to $9 per linear foot). Warranty: 25 years Enhance, 50 years Transcend and Signature, all limited residential.
TimberTech (AZEK). Owned by AZEK, with a full capped composite line (Vintage, Legacy, Prime+) and a separate capped PVC line (AZEK Vintage, AZEK Multi-Width, AZEK Harvest). PVC lines cost 10% to 25% more than composites. Warranty: 30 to 50 years depending on line, all limited residential. Fade and stain warranty explicitly matches structural on the premium lines.
Fiberon. Slightly cheaper than the equivalent Trex or TimberTech line at most retailers. Product lines: Sanctuary (budget), Good Life, Symmetry (mid), Concordia and Paramount (premium). Warranty: 25 to 50 years plus a separate fade/stain warranty.
How to compare across brands. Ignore the marketing names. Match by:
- Wall type: capped composite vs capped PVC (capped PVC costs more and lasts longer in sun)
- Warranty length AND whether fade and stain are covered structurally
- Board width (5-1/2 inch standard, some brands offer 7-1/4 or multi-widths)
- Heat rating (dark boards get significantly hotter than light in direct sun)
- Availability at local retailers (matters for future board replacements)
Substitutes are rare. Composite systems use proprietary hidden fastener clips. If Brand A goes out of production, you cannot easily swap Brand B boards into an existing Brand A frame. Pick a brand with a long US market history for a deck you plan to keep for 15+ years.
When it makes sense to DIY
A composite deck is more forgiving than a wood deck on the board installation itself, because the material is consistent and pre- finished. The frame underneath still needs to be right, and hidden fastener systems take a learning curve. Rules of thumb:
- Ground-level, under 200 sq ft, rectangular, board-only over an existing sound frame: worth trying for a confident DIYer with two weekends.
- Full frame and boards, ground-level, under 300 sq ft: borderline. The frame is the harder part; boards go fast once framing is right.
- Any elevated deck, curves, angled boards or picture-frame borders: hire a pro.
- Composite railing systems: borderline. Follow the manufacturer instructions exactly — the systems are engineered as kits and errors show.
DIY savings on a composite 12x16 board-only replacement are $800 to $1,600 — about 25% to 30% of the installed cost. On a full frame-and- boards build the savings can reach 35% to 40%.
Frequently asked questions
How much does composite decking cost per square foot?
Installed composite decking runs $22 to $42 per square foot. Capped PVC — the newer, all-plastic version — runs $25 to $48. Board material alone is roughly half the total; the rest is labor, framing and fasteners.
Is composite decking worth it versus wood?
Composite costs 60% to 100% more up front than pressure-treated wood but needs no sanding, no staining and no sealing. Over a 25-year horizon the total cost of ownership is lower. If you plan to move within 5 years, wood usually wins on payback.
How long does composite decking last?
Modern capped composite carries 25 to 50 year residential warranties. Real-world lifespan is 25 to 35 years before boards show enough fade or wear to consider replacement. Frame lifespan depends on the original wood, so a full teardown may come sooner than the boards suggest.
Can composite decking get too hot in the sun?
Yes. Dark composite boards in direct sun can reach 150°F on a 90°F day, hotter than wood. Lighter colors and reflective board technology are cooler. If barefoot use matters, pick a light gray or tan and confirm the surface temperature spec.
Does composite decking scratch?
Capped composite scratches less than earlier generations, but sharp furniture legs, dog claws or dragged grills can still leave marks. Felt pads and a rug under a dining table prevent most damage.
What brand of composite decking is best?
Trex, TimberTech and Fiberon are the three major residential brands. All three offer capped composite and capped PVC lines. Warranty length and color options differ more than the actual performance in normal residential use.
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