Composite Decking
Composite decking is a manufactured product typically made from a mix of wood fibers, plastics, and a small amount of bonding agents.
Pros:
• Low Maintenance: Requires no staining, painting, or sealing. Cleaning usually involves soap and water.
• Durability: Resistant to rot, decay, insects, and splintering. Many come with long warranties (20-30 years or more).
• Appearance: Available in a wide range of colors and finishes, often mimicking the look of real wood. Colors are consistent throughout the material.
• Eco-Friendly Options: Many composite brands use recycled materials, making them a more sustainable choice.
• Safety: No splinters, making it safer for bare feet and pets.
• Fade Resistance: Higher-quality composites are engineered to resist fading from UV exposure.
Cons:
• Higher Upfront Cost: Generally more expensive per linear foot than most wood options.
• Heat Retention: Can get hotter in direct sunlight compared to natural wood, especially darker colors.
• Weight: Heavier than wood, which may require more robust framing.
• Scratch and Stain Resistance: While durable, it's not impervious to scratches or stains, especially from grease or oil.
• Appearance (Can be a con): Some people find the look and feel less natural than real wood. Early generations could look very artificial, though modern composites are much improved.
Price Comparison: Composite vs. Wood Deck Planks
Generally, wood decking tends to have a lower upfront cost than composite decking, especially for common wood types like pressure-treated pine. However, this initial cost difference can be offset by the long-term maintenance expenses associated with wood.
1. Composite Decking Pricing:
• Higher Upfront Cost: Composite decking typically ranges from $4 to $15+ per linear foot for the planks alone, depending on the brand, quality, and specific features (e.g., capped composites with enhanced fade and stain resistance are on the higher end).
• Installation Costs: Installation for composite decking can also be slightly higher per square foot due to specialized fastening systems and the need for installers familiar with the material.
• Long-Term Savings: Despite the higher initial price, the low maintenance requirements mean significant savings over the deck's lifespan. You won't need to purchase stains, sealers, or spend time and money on sanding and refinishing every few years.
2. Wood Decking Pricing:
The price of wood decking varies significantly based on the type of wood:
• Pressure-Treated Pine (Most Common & Affordable):
• $2 to $5 per linear foot for the planks.
• This is often the most budget-friendly option initially.
• High Maintenance Costs: Requires annual or biannual cleaning, staining, and sealing to prevent rot, insect damage, and weathering. These maintenance costs add up over time.
• Cedar or Redwood (Mid-Range):
• $4 to $8 per linear foot.
• More naturally resistant to rot and insects than pressure-treated pine, but still requires regular sealing to maintain color and prevent weathering.
• Tropical Hardwoods (Ipe, Tigerwood, Cumaru - Premium):
• $8 to $15+ per linear foot.
• These are incredibly dense, durable, and naturally resistant to rot, insects, and decay. They have a lifespan comparable to or even exceeding composite.
• Maintenance: While very durable, they require oiling to maintain their rich color; otherwise, they will naturally silver over time.
Summary of Cost Impact:
• Initial Cost: Wood (especially pressure-treated) < Composite < Premium Hardwoods
• Long-Term Cost (including maintenance): This is where composite often shines.
• Pressure-treated wood can become more expensive over 10-15 years when factoring in regular maintenance.
• Composite's total cost of ownership over 20-30 years can be lower than or comparable to pressure-treated wood.
• Premium hardwoods, despite their high initial cost, have lower maintenance requirements than pressure-treated wood but might still involve regular oiling.
Whether you choose composite or wood deck planks for your project, Bourke Construction can help. You can call us at 714-488-8325 or Request a Free Estimate today!
Composite decking is a manufactured product typically made from a mix of wood fibers, plastics, and a small amount of bonding agents.
Pros:
• Low Maintenance: Requires no staining, painting, or sealing. Cleaning usually involves soap and water.
• Durability: Resistant to rot, decay, insects, and splintering. Many come with long warranties (20-30 years or more).
• Appearance: Available in a wide range of colors and finishes, often mimicking the look of real wood. Colors are consistent throughout the material.
• Eco-Friendly Options: Many composite brands use recycled materials, making them a more sustainable choice.
• Safety: No splinters, making it safer for bare feet and pets.
• Fade Resistance: Higher-quality composites are engineered to resist fading from UV exposure.
Cons:
• Higher Upfront Cost: Generally more expensive per linear foot than most wood options.
• Heat Retention: Can get hotter in direct sunlight compared to natural wood, especially darker colors.
• Weight: Heavier than wood, which may require more robust framing.
• Scratch and Stain Resistance: While durable, it's not impervious to scratches or stains, especially from grease or oil.
• Appearance (Can be a con): Some people find the look and feel less natural than real wood. Early generations could look very artificial, though modern composites are much improved.
Price Comparison: Composite vs. Wood Deck Planks
Generally, wood decking tends to have a lower upfront cost than composite decking, especially for common wood types like pressure-treated pine. However, this initial cost difference can be offset by the long-term maintenance expenses associated with wood.
1. Composite Decking Pricing:
• Higher Upfront Cost: Composite decking typically ranges from $4 to $15+ per linear foot for the planks alone, depending on the brand, quality, and specific features (e.g., capped composites with enhanced fade and stain resistance are on the higher end).
• Installation Costs: Installation for composite decking can also be slightly higher per square foot due to specialized fastening systems and the need for installers familiar with the material.
• Long-Term Savings: Despite the higher initial price, the low maintenance requirements mean significant savings over the deck's lifespan. You won't need to purchase stains, sealers, or spend time and money on sanding and refinishing every few years.
2. Wood Decking Pricing:
The price of wood decking varies significantly based on the type of wood:
• Pressure-Treated Pine (Most Common & Affordable):
• $2 to $5 per linear foot for the planks.
• This is often the most budget-friendly option initially.
• High Maintenance Costs: Requires annual or biannual cleaning, staining, and sealing to prevent rot, insect damage, and weathering. These maintenance costs add up over time.
• Cedar or Redwood (Mid-Range):
• $4 to $8 per linear foot.
• More naturally resistant to rot and insects than pressure-treated pine, but still requires regular sealing to maintain color and prevent weathering.
• Tropical Hardwoods (Ipe, Tigerwood, Cumaru - Premium):
• $8 to $15+ per linear foot.
• These are incredibly dense, durable, and naturally resistant to rot, insects, and decay. They have a lifespan comparable to or even exceeding composite.
• Maintenance: While very durable, they require oiling to maintain their rich color; otherwise, they will naturally silver over time.
Summary of Cost Impact:
• Initial Cost: Wood (especially pressure-treated) < Composite < Premium Hardwoods
• Long-Term Cost (including maintenance): This is where composite often shines.
• Pressure-treated wood can become more expensive over 10-15 years when factoring in regular maintenance.
• Composite's total cost of ownership over 20-30 years can be lower than or comparable to pressure-treated wood.
• Premium hardwoods, despite their high initial cost, have lower maintenance requirements than pressure-treated wood but might still involve regular oiling.
Whether you choose composite or wood deck planks for your project, Bourke Construction can help. You can call us at 714-488-8325 or Request a Free Estimate today!
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