Composite decking (Trex, TimberTech, Fiberon) combines recycled wood fibers and plastic into a cap-stocked board. In 2026, installed pricing runs $35–$60 per square foot — roughly 2× pressure-treated pine but with 25–30 years of life and almost no maintenance.
What composite actually costs
A 300 sqft composite deck runs about $12,000–$18,000 installed for a mid-tier board (Trex Enhance, TimberTech TERRAIN). Premium lines — Trex Transcend, TimberTech AZEK Vintage — push to $50–$70/sqft or $15,000–$21,000 for the same deck. The board itself is only $4–$9 per linear foot; framing, footings, railing, stairs, permit, and labor make up the rest of the installed number.
Why it's worth the premium over wood
Composite doesn't need stain, seal, or sanding. A $9,000 pressure-treated deck costs $200–$400 a year in maintenance — $4,000–$8,000 over 20 years. A $16,000 composite deck costs about $50/yr in cleaning. 20-year total cost-of-ownership: PT wood ≈ $15,000, composite ≈ $17,000 — and the composite still looks new at year 20.
Shape complexity (wraparound, multi-level) adds 10–25%. Height over 4 ft adds stair runs and deeper footings. Frost-line states (MN, ND, VT, NH, ME) push footings 36–48 inches and add 8–12%. High-labor metros (Boston, SF Bay, NYC) run 15–30% above a national baseline.
Composite (Trex, TimberTech) deck cost by state — 300 sqft build
Standard 12×25 deck, 3–5 ft off ground, composite balusters, one stair run. Includes framing, footings, railing, stairs, permit, and 8% contingency.
About $6,700–$11,500 installed in 2026 for a 192 sqft composite deck at typical mid-height, including railing, one stair run, permit, and 8% contingency. The lower end assumes mid-tier Trex Enhance or TimberTech EDGE in an average-labor state; the upper end assumes Trex Transcend or AZEK in a high-labor metro.
Is Trex cheaper than TimberTech?+
At the entry tier they're nearly identical: Trex Enhance Basics runs $35–$42/sqft installed, and TimberTech EDGE runs $38–$45/sqft. At premium: Trex Transcend ($50–$60) and AZEK Vintage ($55–$70) are the top lines — AZEK is all-PVC so it costs slightly more but doesn't absorb moisture.
Does composite decking get hot in the sun?+
Mid-tier and premium capped composites run 10–15°F hotter than pressure-treated pine in direct sun. Light colors (beige, driftwood) stay cooler than dark (espresso, black). PVC-capped premium boards (Trex Transcend, AZEK) run coolest of the composite family.
How long does composite decking last?+
Modern capped composite carries a 25–30 year limited residential warranty against fade and stain. In practice, installs from 2010 onward are still performing well — expect a 25+ year functional life before any significant refinishing is needed.
Is composite worth it over wood?+
Yes if you plan to stay 10+ years. The break-even between a $9,000 PT deck and a $16,000 composite deck is around year 12–15 once annual maintenance is accounted for. If you plan to sell within 5 years, PT often makes more financial sense.
Price your own composite (trex, timbertech) deck
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