Composite Decking Prices

Thinking of getting a deck built in your house? Well, it is a fantastic idea I say! Having a deck built in your house can add a unique angle to it. Apart from being a great place to have a nice cuppa on a winter morning, a deck can also increase the resale value of your property. Now as I have mentioned about decks, allow me to tell you something about decks. Decks are made of composite material as well as plain wood. Needless to say composite decking will be more exquisite and will need more care. Most importantly, the cost too will be of a concern in composite decking.

Material Required for Composite Decking

Wood-plastic composite (WPC) basically is composite material lumber or timber. It is primarily made of recycled plastic and wood wastes. Undoubtedly so, because of these substances, this is very widely used for building decks and a number of other things involving wood. What has made this composite decking material a hit is that it is environment friendly, to start off. Further, it needs less maintenance as compared to a solid wood deck, which has to be sealed and coated with stains and sealers. What is more is that this material is resistant to cracking and splitting as well. Hence, fundamentally, this seems to be a good option as against solid wood decks. But this is not without paying a cost more than the latter. So choosing the materials can be a tricky affair!

Cost of Composite Decking

As described previously the cost to build a deck from solid wood, will be less expensive than a composite deck. For a composite deck, you should not be surprised to pay anything less than $20 for a square foot, including the material and installation charges. This is the generic upper limit. The expenses can be thereabouts for a square foot if you build the deck yourself and just buy the material. If you get it installed, the labor and other charges can be in the range of as less as $5 or may even go up to $20.

If the wood is pressure treated, the prices can hover around $1000- $1900 for a small 10X12 foot deck. Almost invincible plastic-wood composite decks can cost around $20 for a square foot installed. 20x20 ft deck can cost $8,000. Vinyl decks, which require less maintenance, having rails, are priced $13-22 a square foot of installation. In case, it is 20x20 foot deck, you are expected to pay between $5,200 and $8,000. According to a magazine survey, 16x20 foot composite decks should cost around $15K in Washington DC area. Further, you can expect to pay around $2.00 on a square foot of softwood pressure treated timber for decking. Let me tell you that this is only for the deck. The joists that go beneath are not included in this price.

Moreover, overhead arbors, rails, steps and benches can cause the composite decking prices to soar. For getting a 5x25-foot multi-level deck with railings and stairs built, be ready to pay a cost close to $16,000-$25,000 on an average. Then just as the accessories like railings and arbors can up the cost, the type of wood too can impact the cost. For instance, pressure-treated yellow pine decks can cost around $15 for a square foot installed.

Doing it yourself, at the end of the day can bring down the cost to around about $1.50 to $5 per square foot for the planks. Another $4 to $6 per square foot will have to be shelled out for joists and posts. If you get it installed, take care that the contractor does everything from start to end! All the best!