Wood Deck Cost Calculator

Worked example

With these inputs:

• Length: 16 ft
• Width: 12 ft
• Wood: Pressure-treated pine
• Deck height: Standard (2–6 ft, one short stair)

Installed ranges use the same national per-square-foot rates as the main deck cost calculator and include framing, footings, decking, a basic railing and one stair. Height raises the price because posts, bracing, beams and staging all grow with it. Upkeep assumes a clean and a coat of semi-transparent stain every two years for pine, cedar and redwood; ipe needs oiling less often, or can be left to weather silver.

How it works

A wood deck is the cheapest deck to build and the only one whose real cost keeps arriving after it is finished, because wood needs cleaning and a fresh coat of stain every two to three years. This prices the build by species, size and height, then adds the upkeep over 25 years so you can compare pressure-treated pine, cedar, redwood and ipe on what they actually cost you.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a wood deck cost?

Pressure-treated pine runs about $20–$25 per square foot installed, so a 12×16 (192 sq ft) deck is roughly $3,800–$4,900. Cedar is about $29–$37 per square foot and ipe about $59–$75. Raised and second-storey decks cost 15–35% more for the extra structure.

How much does a wood patio cost?

A wood patio is usually a ground-level deck: no railings or stairs, short posts or deck blocks. On this calculator's ground-level setting that is about $17.82–$22.77 per square foot installed in pressure-treated pine and $25.92–$33.12 in cedar, so a 12×12 (144 sq ft) wood patio runs roughly $2,570–$3,280 in pine or $3,730–$4,770 in cedar. Building it yourself on deck blocks removes most of the labour.

Is a wood deck cheaper than composite?

To build, yes — pressure-treated pine costs roughly half as much installed as composite. Over 25 years the gap narrows, because wood needs cleaning and restaining every two to three years at $0.75–$1.25 per square foot each time, and composite does not.

Which wood is best for a deck?

Pressure-treated pine for budget and structure, cedar or redwood for looks and natural rot resistance, ipe for the longest life and hardest surface. Most decks — whatever the surface — are framed in pressure-treated lumber because it is rated for ground contact.

How long does a wood deck last?

Around 15–20 years for pressure-treated pine, 15–25 for cedar, 20–30 for redwood and 40 or more for ipe, provided it is kept clean, sealed and dry underneath.