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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