Which Deck Material Is Right for You?
The choice between wood, composite, and PVC decking affects the upfront cost, the maintenance burden, and the long-term performance of the deck.
Pressure-Treated Wood: Lowest Upfront Cost
Pressure-treated lumber is southern yellow pine impregnated with preservative chemicals that resist rot and insects. Cost: $40 to $70 per square foot installed for a complete deck — footings, framing, decking, railings, and steps to grade. A quote near $15 to $25 per square foot covers the decking and framing only. Required maintenance: annual cleaning, sealing or staining every 2 to 3 years ($300 to $1,350 per application for a 300-square-foot deck — sealing at the low end, staining at the high end), and board replacement as individual boards split or rot over time. Service life with maintenance: 15 to 25 years before significant board replacement is needed. (For more on this, see Deck Maintenance: What Owners Need to Know.)
Composite Decking: Low Maintenance
Composite decking (Trex, TimberTech, Fiberon) combines wood fiber and plastic into boards that resist rot, insects, and moisture. Cost: $55 to $100 per square foot installed. Maintenance: annual cleaning with soap and water, periodic inspection between boards for debris accumulation. No sealing or staining required. Quality composite with capping (a protective polymer shell) maintains its color for 15 to 25 years with a manufacturer warranty. A composite deck at year 15 typically looks significantly better than a maintained wood deck of the same age. (For more on this, see Wood vs. Composite Deck: Which Is Right for You?.)
PVC Decking: Maximum Moisture Resistance
PVC decking (Azek, TimberTech AZEK) is 100 percent plastic — no wood fiber. Cost: $70 to $120 per square foot installed. PVC cannot absorb water, will not rot, and does not support mold growth on the board itself. It is lighter than composite (easier to handle on long runs) with excellent fade resistance. The premium over composite is justified by absolute moisture resistance — particularly for shaded decks where composite boards may develop surface mold or in high-humidity climates.
Deck and Fence Cost at a Glance
| Cost Factor | Typical Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Wood deck | $40 to $70 per square foot | installed — pressure-treated, complete with footings, framing, railings, and steps |
| Composite deck | $55 to $100 per square foot | — low-maintenance and durable; cellular PVC and tropical hardwood run $70 to $120 |
| Fence | $18 to $80 per linear foot | — varies by material, from chain-link to wood to vinyl |
| Overall range | $13,000 to $38,000 | , averaging $20,000 for a complete 16 by 20 foot deck; a 150-foot fence runs $2,700 to $12,000 |
Cost figures on this page were checked against published pricing on August 28, 2026. How we source cost data.
Planning Your Project Budget
The cost ranges in this article are based on industry data and are intended as planning benchmarks, not fixed prices. The actual cost for your project depends on your specific home, your local labor market, the current price of materials, and the scope the contractor confirms after a site inspection.
Always get at least two written quotes on equivalent defined scope before committing to any home services project. Wide price variation between quotes usually reflects differences in material quality, scope completeness (what is included and what is not), or contractor overhead and experience level rather than simple price competition.
Use the cost data in this article to ask better questions during the quoting process: What material is included? What does that per-square-foot or per-linear-foot rate include and exclude? Are permits, cleanup, and disposal included? What is the warranty on labor? These questions turn a quote into a comparable basis for decision-making. (For more on this, see Questions to Ask Before Building a Deck or Fence.)
Working With a Contractor on This Project
Getting the right outcome on any home services project starts before the work begins. A few consistent practices make the difference between a smooth project and a frustrating one.
Get at least two or three quotes. A single quote gives you no basis for comparison. Two or three quotes reveal the market rate for the work, expose scope differences between bidders, and let you assess contractor communication quality before any commitment is made. The lowest bid is not automatically the best value if the scope is thin or the materials are underspecified.
Ask for licenses and insurance before work starts. Verify current general liability insurance and, for any work involving workers on your property, workers compensation coverage. Licensing requirements vary by state and trade; confirm the specific requirements in your jurisdiction. A licensed contractor who carries appropriate insurance protects both parties if something goes wrong during the project.
Get the scope in writing. A written proposal that specifies materials, labor scope, timeline, what is included (permits, cleanup, disposal), and warranty terms is the foundation of a professional engagement. Verbal agreements on any of these points invite misunderstanding. For any project over $500, written scope is non-negotiable.
Clarify the payment schedule upfront. A reasonable payment schedule ties major payments to project milestones: a deposit at signing, a payment at material delivery or project start, and a final payment at completion after a walkthrough confirms satisfaction. A contractor who requires full payment upfront before work begins is a red flag in any trade.