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Compare 25-year total cost of composite vs pressure-treated wood.
With these inputs:
| Result | Value |
|---|---|
| 25-year cost difference | Wood saves $540 |
| Pressure-treated total (25 yr) | $14,940 |
| Initial install | $6,600 |
| Stain/seal (12 cycles) | $5,040 |
| Partial replacement | $3,300 |
| Composite total (25 yr) | $15,480 |
| Initial install | $14,400 |
| Cleaning over 25 yr | $1,080 |
Composite costs roughly twice what pressure-treated pine does to install and needs almost nothing afterwards; wood is cheap to build and expensive to keep. The right answer depends entirely on how long you intend to own the deck. This runs both over the years you choose, including the staining and repairs wood needs, and shows where the lines cross.
Usually, if you keep the deck more than about eight to twelve years. Pressure-treated pine is roughly half the installed cost but needs cleaning and staining every two to three years and board replacement as it splits and cups. Composite costs more up front and needs washing. Run your own numbers over your actual ownership horizon — under about eight years, wood still wins.
Composite typically carries a 25 to 30 year warranty and lasts about that. Pressure-treated pine gets 10 to 15 years before boards start needing replacement, cedar 15 to 20, and tropical hardwood 25 or more if it is maintained. The frame underneath is pressure-treated lumber in all cases, so its lifespan is the real ceiling.
Yes, noticeably hotter than wood in direct sun, and dark colours worst of all. It is the most common complaint from owners who did not expect it. Lighter colours, shade over part of the deck, and the capped products that reflect more heat all help. If the deck faces full afternoon sun and people will be barefoot, test a sample board outdoors before choosing a colour.
Yes, and nearly everyone does — composite is a decking material, not a framing material, so the joists, beam and posts are pressure-treated lumber underneath either way. The one thing to check is spacing: most composite brands require joists at 16 inches on centre and 12 for diagonal layouts, which is tighter than an older wood deck may have been framed.
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