Composite Decking vs. Wood: Which Is Best for Your New Deck?

Composite decking versus wood is a famous battle. Each of these materials has strengths and weaknesses, so there’s no clear-cut answer about which material is “better.” The best material for you will come down to factors like maintenance needs, weather and environmental conditions, and aesthetics.

You can choose what material you want your boards and railing to be, and it may be a tough decision between composite decking and wood. However, all decks use treated lumber for the framing, which is the structural part of the deck that you don’t see unless you’re underneath it. With that in mind, let’s see who wins in the matchup of composite versus wood decks.

What Is Wood Decking?

The majority of decks built today use wood decking. Treated lumber and cedar are the most popular types of wood decking. Hardwoods like ipe, jatoba, and tigerwood are also sometimes used for wood decking. The main reason people choose wood is for the initial cost savings since wood tends to be less expensive than composite decking.

Best for: Budget-minded homeowners who want a custom deck.

Wood Decking Pros

• Aesthetics: Wood decking has a classic, aesthetically appealing look. While composite decking can sometimes look fake or artificial, wood decking has a natural, authentic appearance.

• Lower installation cost: Some types of wood decking are very affordable to install, making them a great option for homeowners on a budget.

• Easy to customize: You can stain or paint your deck to match your house’s color or to add more character to your patio.

Wood Decking Cons

• More maintenance: Wood decks require more maintenance than composite decks, including stripping, sanding, and staining.

• Higher cost over time: Because wood decks require more maintenance, they can cost more over time than composite decks.

• Less durable: Wood decking tends to be less durable than composite decking because it is more prone to moisture, rot, and discoloration.

What Is Composite Decking?

Photo: ronstik / Shutterstock

Composite decking materials are another popular option. Composite decking combines wood and plastic and includes some of the benefits of both natural and artificial decking materials. While composite decking doesn’t look as natural as wood decking, it requires much less maintenance and is more durable over time.

Best for: Homeowners moving into their “forever homes” or those with an eye toward resale value.

Composite Decking Pros

• Less maintenance: The main reason people choose composite or synthetic deck materials is the low maintenance requirements.

• Lower cost over time: Because composite decking requires less maintenance, you will spend less money over time to maintain your deck.

• More durable: Because it contains plastic, composite decking is more durable and often lasts longer than wood decking.

Composite Decking Cons

• Less natural appearance: While composite decking has come a long way in recent years, it still has a slightly more artificial look than natural wood decking.

• Higher installation cost: Composite decking also tends to be more expensive to install. While homeowners save on maintenance costs over time, the higher initial cost may be an issue.

• Difficult to customize: While composite decking comes in various colors and styles, it’s difficult to change the look of your deck once installed.

Wood Decking vs. Composite Decking

Which type of decking is right for you ultimately depends on how you plan to use your deck and your aesthetic preference. Keep in mind that just talking to a professional costs nothing, so reach out to a local deck builder for more specific advice. 

Appearance: Wood

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but there’s nothing like the look of natural wood for a deck. While there are some composites that might resemble the color of wood, it’s not the same as seeing that beautiful wood grain peeking through the stain.

Options and Customizations: Wood

Don’t like the color of your wood deck? You can always paint the deck or restain it until you’re happy. You can’t do this with composite decks once they’re installed, however.

Durability: Composite

Unlike wood, which can absorb water and may rot over time, composite is weather-resistant and doesn’t require additional treatment to stay that way. 

Price: Wood

Wood is the more inexpensive alternative when it comes to installing a wood deck because you have the option to choose more budget-friendly species. 

DIYability: Neither

Decks are notorious for having some of the most stringent codes in the home building industry. Unless you’re a highly advanced DIYer or someone with professional construction experience, it’s best to leave deck installation to the pros. Only the pros know how to expertly navigate deck building codes so that you don’t get fined.

Maintenance: Composite

Wood decks must be restained, resealed, and even resanded over time. None of this is necessary for composite decks, making it the clear winner in terms of easy maintenance.

Length of Life: Composite

Due to its durability and low maintenance requirements, composite decking lasts much longer than wood. Composite lasts 30 to 50 years as opposed to wood’s average life span of 10 to 30 years.

ROI and/or Resale Value: Composite

Due to their low maintenance requirements, composite decks rule when it comes to ROI. In fact, if you’re browsing real estate listings, you might see some mentioning that there’s a composite deck in the backyard because they’re so popular with homebuyers.

Margaret Wack contributed to this piece.