The typical cost of composite decking ranges from $5,400 to $11,500, with an average of $8,500. You’ll pay more for larger decks and higher-quality materials.
Composite decking costs vary from $5,400 for smaller installations to $20,000 for large decks that require lots of prep work. Most homeowners spend an average of $8,500 to install a new composite deck.
Whether you’re hosting a barbecue over the summer or want to snuggle up on your outdoor furniture on a cool fall afternoon, having a composite deck can transform any drab yard into the perfect space for hosting gatherings. We’ve crunched the numbers to make it easier for you to budget for your new composite deck.
The three types of composite decking include mineral-based composite, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and wood plastic. Each material can impact costs, with PVC at the lowest, mineral-based composite in the middle, and wood plastic at the top of the price range. Here’s a breakdown of each type to help you choose the option with the qualities and budget that fit your needs.
PVC decking costs between $5 and $15 per square foot, slightly higher than wood-plastic composite decking boards. Also called vinyl decking, PVC boards contain only plastic materials, making them a long-lasting option for your deck. However, compared to composite wood plastic, PVC is more susceptible to expanding and contracting.
You'll pay between $6 and $15 per square foot for mineral-based composite decking, or polypropylene decking (poly decking). These boards are popular for docks thanks to their anti-slip properties. Poly decking is UV-resistant and newer to the market than other composite boards. It also comes in a variety of styles and shapes, like slotted boards that snap together for an easy installation.
The average cost for wood-plastic composite decking materials ranges from $10 to $18 per square foot. This type of composite decking board contains recycled plastic combined with wood fibers to make it more durable, low-maintenance, and water-resistant than wood decking alone. The plastic reinforces the wood, making it less likely to crack or splinter compared to even the most tried and trusted woods, like cedar decking.
This option has the highest price tag because the wood makes the composite decking look closer to hardwood than synthetic materials.
Composite decking costs anywhere from $15 to $32 per square foot. The materials cost $5 to $18 per square foot, with labor adding another $10 to $14 per square foot. For a standard 360-square-foot deck, you'll spend between $5,400 and $11,500, but prices can go for as little as $1,500 or upwards of $20,000 for large, custom decks.
| Deck Dimensions | Square Footage | Estimated Average Cost |
|---|---|---|
| 10’X10’ | 100 sq. ft. | $1,500–$3,200 |
| 12’x12’ | 144 sq. ft. | $2,200–$4,600 |
| 16’x16’ | 256 sq. ft. | $3,800–$8,200 |
| 16’X20’ | 320 sq. ft. | $4,800–$10,200 |
| 18’x20’ | 360 sq. ft. | $5,400–$11,500 |
| 20’x20’ | 400 sq. ft. | $6,000–$12,800 |
| 20’x24’ | 480 sq. ft. | $7,200–$15,400 |
| 23’x23’ | 529 sq. ft. | $7,900–$17,000 |
To build your composite deck, a local deck company will typically charge between $10 and $14 per square foot, or between $3,600 and $5,000 in all for a 360-square-foot deck. If you need a pro to install stairs for your deck, this will cost around $25 per square foot. On top of your typical deck installation services, deck contractors may also offer other services, including:
Gazebo construction: $5,200
Patio installation: $4,000
Pergola construction: $4,300
Pool deck installation: $5,000
Other elements of your composite decking project, including demolition and prep work, permits, and additional materials, can influence the cost.
Demolishing an old deck costs between $5 and $15 per square foot. If you have an existing deck that needs replacing, these additional costs can increase the price to anywhere from $20 to $47 per square foot. This amounts to a grand total of $7,200 to $17,000 for your average-sized deck. If you need to hire someone to haul away demolition debris, junk removal costs an average of $250.
Acquiring a deck permit costs between $225 and $500 depending on your location. Some municipalities don't require a permit for building a deck, while others do, so it's important to contact your local building department to see if you need to get a deck permit before starting the project. In many cases, a deck contractor will take care of acquiring the permit.
You may need other materials to complete your deck project—all of which can range from $3,800 to $8,300, or an extra $10 to $23 per square foot. Many of these materials can add up in cost, so here's a breakdown of each additional decking material by type for a 360-square-foot deck.
| Deck Material | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Railing | $875–$2,800 |
| Substructure | $1,900–$3,100 |
| Posts | $750–$1,900 |
| Hardware | $250–$500 |
| Total | $3,800–$8,300 |
Installing composite decking yourself can be a way to save on labor expenses—if you have carpentry skills and experience building decks. Many composite decking materials click together, making it easy to install your deck.
However, if you don't know how to build a deck, then cutting composite decking to size, correctly measuring the pieces, setting a secure foundation, and putting it all together could result in you spending a lot of time, energy, and money on a botched DIY decking project. Not to mention, obstacles may complicate your installation, like building a deck around a tree or leveling your property.
That's why it's best to hire a deck builder near you to professionally install your deck. Even though labor adds an additional $10 to $14 per square foot, you'll save in the long run by having a professionally installed composite deck that's more likely to withstand the tests of time.
If you have an existing composite deck, it can be tempting to repair it instead of replacing it entirely, but it’s important to conduct an inspection using our deck inspection checklist to determine its condition. You'll want to calculate whether demolition costs of $5 and $15 per square foot surpass replacement costs of $5 to $18 per square foot.
The best way to determine whether it's best to replace or repair your deck is to calculate how much it will cost to repair your deck and see if it takes up 50% of the replacement cost. For example, a 360-square-foot deck costs between $1,800 and $5,400 to remove the old materials, $1,800 to $6,500 in new materials, and $3,600 to $5,000 in labor for a total of $7,200 to $16,900. You'll want to avoid repairing an old deck if it will cost more than $3,600 to $8,500.
Making wise financial decisions can help you save for a rainy day. Try out these tips on how to save on the cost of installing composite decking:
Choose a smaller deck size, like a 12-by-12, over the standard 18-by-20-foot deck to lower material costs.
Go for PVC composite decking boards over wood plastic.
Demolish and dispose of your old deck yourself.
If possible, avoid unnecessary accessories like railings or stairs. However, this may not be an option if you’re looking for ways to make your backyard wheelchair accessible.
Composite decking can greatly increase your home’s value, making this project a great home renovation cost for recouping your spending. Research from Remodeling’s 2024 Cost vs Value Report suggests that deck additions have an ROI of 82.9%, with an average resale value of nearly $14,600.
Installing a deck on your property makes your yard more functional while enhancing the universal design and aesthetic of your outdoor landscaping. These added features can entice prospective buyers by making a home more sellable.
Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We extensively research project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We rely on reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.
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There are several steps involved in building a composite deck. Firstly, you need to acquire any necessary permits. From there, you need to ensure that you have a stable foundation for your deck. The foundation may include concrete or plastic deck footings. Then your installer will build all parts of the deck using decking boards, beams, joists, flashing, posts, and more. Your pro may use railings, steps, and ramps to complete your composite deck design.
How long it takes to install composite decking depends on the size of the decking material, the skills of the person installing the deck, the number of people helping, and how much prep work needs to be done before you can begin. Generally speaking, it takes anywhere from a few days to several weeks to build a composite deck.
Composite decking boards aren't your only options for building a deck. There are several other types of materials for decks, including wood and aluminum decking. Wood decking comes in many different wood species, offering natural beauty and classy timelessness to your yard. Aluminum is a lightweight, water-resistant, and low-maintenance material that is also non-slip.
