An honest side-by-side.
There is no universal right answer. It depends on your budget, the kind of upkeep you want, where the deck sits and how long you expect to stay.
Whichever boards you pick, the frame underneath is the same pressure-treated frame on concrete footings below the frost line with a flashed and bolted ledger.
Question
Wood
Composite
Installed price
WoodAbout $40–$60 a sq ft
CompositeAbout $65–$95 a sq ft
A 12×16 deck
WoodAbout $8,500–$11,500
CompositeAbout $13,500–$18,000
Upkeep
WoodWash and a fresh coat of stain or sealer every two to three years.
CompositeA soap-and-water wash twice a year, never stain.
Look over time
WoodChecks and splits a little as it dries. Takes paint or any stain color you like.
CompositeColor stays close to new for decades.
Summer sun
WoodComfortable underfoot.
CompositeDark colors get hot in full afternoon sun.
Warranty
WoodNone on the boards.
Composite25-year manufacturer fade and stain warranty.
Lifespan
Wood15 to 20 years if you keep after it.
Composite25 to 30 years or more.
