Composite Deck Cost Calculator
Composite decking is sold in tiers: an entry capped board, a mid-range board with a thicker shell, and premium boards with deeper grain and better heat and fade performance, with PVC above them all. The tier moves the installed price by roughly a fifth either way, and hidden fasteners add more. This prices a composite deck by tier, size and height and shows when it pays back against pressure-treated wood.
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Frequently asked questions
- How much does a composite deck cost?
- Mid-range composite runs about $43–$55 per square foot installed, so a 12×16 deck is roughly $8,300–$10,600. Entry boards come in about 15% lower, premium boards about 20% higher, and PVC higher again.
- Is composite decking worth the extra cost?
- If you keep the house long enough, usually yes. It costs about twice as much as pressure-treated pine to build, but it skips the cleaning and restaining wood needs every couple of years, and it lasts 25–30 years or more. The calculator shows the break-even year for your deck.
- Do hidden fasteners cost more?
- Yes — roughly $1.50–$2 per square foot more for the clips and the extra labour, in exchange for a surface with no visible screw heads. Grooved-edge boards are required.
- Does composite need a different frame?
- The frame is the same pressure-treated lumber, but joist spacing is often tighter: many composite boards are rated for 16 inches on centre straight and 12 inches on a diagonal. Follow the board's span rating.
