Composite vs Wood Decking

An older EPA decking calculator for a 600 sq ft deck priced pressure-treated pine at about $3,036 to $5,022 and composite at about $3,972 to $6,270. Wood needed yearly maintenance and lasted 10 to 20 years, while composite needed no staining or sealing and lasted 25 to 50 years. Treat those prices as relative, since they are not current.

Composite is not maintenance free. USDA Forest Products Laboratory research found wood-plastic composites absorb water slowly, can grow surface mold within the first year, and decay differently from wood, with a delay of 1 to 7 years before visible damage. Wood decks need penetrating finish reapplied once or twice a year.

Composite vs Wood Decking side by side

Last verified October 2026. Typical values; individual animals, products and local prices vary.

Which one fits you

Composite

• You want to skip yearly staining and sealing
• You plan to keep the deck 20 or more years
• You want to reduce splinters and treated-wood chemicals
• You can pay more upfront to lower long-term upkeep

Wood Decking

• You want the lowest purchase price for the deck boards today
• You are comfortable refinishing the deck every year or two
• You like the look and feel of real wood
• You plan to sell the house soon or rebuild in a decade

How this works

The quiz compares your budget, upkeep habits and ownership time to figures from the EPA and USDA Forest Products Laboratory. The EPA calculator is an older source, so use it for relative costs, not current prices. Local climate and shade change how both materials weather.

Products vary by brand and region. Composites differ in capping and moisture performance, and wood species differ in durability, so compare specific boards and warranties. Products vary by brand and region. Composites differ in capping and moisture performance, and wood species differ in durability, so compare specific boards, warranties and installation instructions before ordering.

Where these numbers come from

The figures and defaults on this page are based on:

• EPA: Decking Alternatives Cost Calculator, Gives cost, maintenance cost, lifespan and yearly lifetime cost figures. (checked October 2026)
• USDA Forest Products Laboratory: Fungal and moisture durability of wood-plastic composites, Covers moisture absorption, mold and decay behavior of composites. (checked October 2026)
• USDA Forest Products Laboratory: Details for a Lasting Deck, Covers wood deck finishes, fasteners and refinishing intervals. (checked October 2026)

Planning guide. Prices in the EPA tool are older, so confirm current costs locally.