Composite vs Wood Decking: Cost, Upkeep & Fire

Side by side

	Wood (redwood, cedar, pressure-treated)	Capped composite / PVC
Board cost (material)	Pressure-treated $2–$5+, cedar $3–$7+, redwood $5–$35+ per sq ft	Composite $12–$22+ per sq ft
Installed	Whole decks $30–$60+ per sq ft	About $15–$32+ per sq ft (Angi composite guide)
Upkeep	Clean and re-seal or stain every few years; replace boards as they check and split	Wash with soap and water; no staining
Lifespan	Depends on species, grade, sun exposure and upkeep	Resists rot and insects; long limited warranties on many lines
Heat in sun	Stays cooler than most dark composites	Can get hot, especially darker colors
Fire near the house	Untreated wood generally doesn't meet the 10-ft rule; exterior FRT wood can	Only specific listed lines meet the 10-ft rule
Repairs	Easy to cut, patch and refinish	Matching an older color can be hard
Resale (national)	Wood deck addition: about 95% recouped	Composite deck addition: about 89% recouped

Material prices: Angi deck cost guide; composite installed: Angi composite guide; resale: Cost vs Value 2025 ($18,263 wood, $25,096 composite, national).

The materials, end-on

Redwood

Warm red-brown, naturally decay-resistant heartwood, the classic East Bay deck. Price swings widely by grade.

Materials $5–$35+ /sq ft

Western red cedar

Lighter and softer than redwood, with similar natural resistance. Needs regular sealing to hold color.

Materials $3–$7+ /sq ft

Pressure-treated

The usual framing lumber under any deck. As decking it is the budget choice and needs stain or sealer.

Materials $2–$5+ /sq ft

Capped composite

Wood-plastic core with a protective shell. Low upkeep, grooved edges for hidden fasteners, gets warm in sun.

Materials $12–$22+ /sq ft

Fire-rated options

Decking that meets California's ember and flame tests: listed boards, fire-retardant-treated wood or noncombustible surfaces.

Materials Varies by product

Board-only material prices per square foot from Angi's deck cost guide (national). Labor, framing, railings and permits are extra.

Which fits your deck?

Choose wood if budget leads, you like the look of real redwood or cedar, and you don't mind a sealing routine.
Choose capped composite if you want low upkeep, plan to stay for years, and can pick a lighter color or add shade.
In a fire hazard zone, start with listed products for the area within 10 ft of the house, whichever material you prefer. See fire-resistant decking.
Old deck, sound frame? Composite may need closer joist spacing than the old boards did. See deck replacement.

Ready to price it? Composite deck installation · deck cost guide.

Composite vs wood questions

Is composite decking cheaper than wood in the long run?

It can be. Composite costs more up front but skips the regular cleaning, staining and sealing wood needs. Whether it comes out ahead depends on the wood species, how often you would refinish, and how long you stay in the home.

Which lasts longer, composite or wood?

It depends on the product and the conditions. Capped composite resists rot and insects and is backed by long limited warranties; redwood and cedar heartwood resist decay naturally but need upkeep; pressure-treated decking lasts longest with regular sealing. The frame underneath, usually pressure-treated either way, often decides the deck's real life.

Which is better for resale?

Nationally, the 2025 Cost vs Value report shows a wood deck addition recouping about 95% of its cost and a composite addition about 89%, though the composite deck costs more to build.