Costs
Wood vs Composite Decking
Updated 3 min read
The short answer
Pressure-treated wood wins on upfront cost and for those who value a natural look that develops character over time. Composite wins on long-term maintenance, consistency and colour stability. Neither is universally better — the right choice depends on your budget, how much maintenance you are willing to do, and how long you plan to stay in the home.
Head to head
| Factor | Pressure-treated wood | Cedar | Composite |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upfront cost | Lowest | Moderate | Highest |
| 20-year total cost | Moderate (staining) | Moderate (staining) | Low (washing only) |
| Appearance | Natural, ages to grey | Warm, ages to silver | Consistent colour; manufactured look |
| Staining required | Every 2–3 years | Every 2–3 years | No |
| Rot resistance | Chemically treated | Naturally resistant | Impervious |
| Insect resistance | Treated | Naturally resistant | Impervious |
| Thermal comfort | Gets very hot | Gets hot | Gets very hot (some brands cooler) |
| Scratching | Sands and re-stains | Sands and re-stains | Difficult to repair; visible |
| Sustainability | Chemical treatment | Renewable; no chemicals | Recycled plastic; not biodegradable |
| Resale perception | Standard | Premium natural | Premium low-maintenance |
Where pressure-treated wood wins
- Upfront budget
- At $30–$50/sq ft installed vs $50–$80 for composite, the initial savings on a 200 sq ft deck are $4,000–$6,000. If the budget is tight, pressure-treated is the right material.
- Natural aesthetic
- Wood develops a patina that composite cannot replicate. For homeowners who value the look and feel of real wood — grain variation, knots, the silver-grey of aged cedar — composite is not a substitute.
- Repairability
- A damaged wood board is sanded, patched or replaced individually. A damaged composite board is harder to blend because the colour is consistent and the surface is manufactured. Touch-up kits exist but are not invisible.
- Short-to-medium timeline
- If you plan to move within 5–10 years, the maintenance savings of composite are unlikely to offset the upfront premium. Pressure-treated wood is the more economical choice for a shorter stay.
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Where composite wins
- Maintenance-free living
- No staining, no sealing, no sanding. An annual wash with soap and water is all composite needs. For homeowners who do not want to add deck maintenance to their schedule, this is the primary advantage.
- Colour consistency
- Composite retains its colour for decades. Wood fades and greys without staining. If you want the deck to look the same in year ten as in year one, composite delivers.
- Long-term cost
- Over 20 years, the cost of stain, sandpaper and a weekend of labour each year adds up. Composite's higher upfront cost is often recovered by year 12–15 through avoided maintenance.
- Family use
- Composite surfaces resist splinters, which matters with bare feet and small hands. The consistent surface is also easier on dropped dishes and knees.
Answers
Frequently asked questions
Does composite decking get hot in the sun?
Yes, it can. Darker composite colours absorb more heat than lighter ones. In Calgary's summer sun, any decking material — wood or composite — will be hot underfoot. Lighter colours and brands with heat-reflective technology run cooler. Testing samples in direct sun before committing is worthwhile.
Can composite decking be repaired if damaged?
Individual boards can be replaced, but matching the colour and texture of weathered composite is harder than matching new wood. Minor scratches can be sanded with fine-grit sandpaper. Deep gouges or burns may require full board replacement.
How long does composite decking actually last?
Most major composite brands offer 25-year structural and 25-year colour-fade warranties. In practice, well-maintained composite decks routinely last 30+ years. The boards themselves do not rot, warp or splinter.
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We offer free consultations and fixed written quotes across Calgary.
We review every estimate request. Any next step depends on confirming a suitable available contractor — there is no guaranteed callback or quote timeframe.