Deck costs vary widely by material choice, and understanding the difference helps you make a decision that fits your budget. This calculator gives you a rough cost estimate for pressure-treated wood, composite, and hardwood decks.
Deck Dimensions
ft
ft
Deck Material
Pressure-Treated
Scenario: You're building a 20 ft x 12 ft pressure-treated wood deck.
Result: Deck area: 240 sq ft. Material: 240 x $15 = $3,600. Railing: 64 ft perimeter x $25 = $1,600. Total estimate: $5,200.
Composite
Scenario: You're building a 16 ft x 14 ft composite deck.
Result: Deck area: 224 sq ft. Material: 224 x $25 = $5,600. Railing: 60 ft perimeter x $45 = $2,700. Total estimate: $8,300.
Hardwood
Scenario: You're building an 18 ft x 12 ft ipe hardwood deck.
Result: Deck area: 216 sq ft. Material: 216 x $35 = $7,560. Railing: 60 ft perimeter x $55 = $3,300. Total estimate: $10,860.
Pressure-treated wood: $15-$25/sq ft (materials + labor). Composite: $25-$45/sq ft. Hardwood (ipe, mahogany): $35-$60/sq ft. DIY material costs are roughly 40-50% of these installed prices.
Over 20 years, composite is often cheaper than pressure-treated when you factor in staining every 2-3 years, power washing, and board replacement. Composite requires zero staining, resists rot, and lasts 25+ years. The break-even point is around 7-10 years.
Pressure-treated: $3,500-$6,000 (materials + DIY labor). Composite: $6,000-$10,000. Professional installation adds 50-100% to material cost. A basic 12x16 deck is one of the best ROI home improvements at 65-80% return on resale.
Permit fees ($100-$500), ledger board flashing, post footings (concrete), joist hangers and hardware, and stairs/steps if the deck is elevated. Don't forget railing -- it's required by code for decks 30+ inches above grade and can cost $30-$60 per linear foot.
Want to learn more before you start your project?
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