Cost is a major factor when it comes to the feasibility of any type of home improvement or renovation project. When it comes to building a composite deck, staying on top of material and labor costs is important. Below we cover some aspects of the costs connected with composite decking construction. At DIYDeck.com, we have the resources and experience to help you move forward with a successful deck building project.
The Service Life of Composite Decks
Composite decks offer a longer service life than standard, traditional decks – as much as 30 to 50 years, depending on the brand of material used. This assumes the deck is installed properly and cared for properly over its lifetime. For this reason, you can expect a greater expensive upfront for composite decking and lower costs for maintenance and repair over time.
Composite Cost Savings
Composite decks provide more savings over the long run since water damage is minimized or eliminated over time. These decks eliminate the cost and time required yearly for deck sanding, sealing, and staining.
Cost Considerations When Building a Composite Deck
Major cost considerations when building a deck include material, labor, size, and shape.
Size and Shape Costs
Deck size impacts the quantity of material needed and the amount of labor required. When it comes to deck shape, square and rectangular decks shapes are less complex and thus less expensive to build than curved shapes that require complex metal frames and joists.
Material Costs
When building a composite deck, consider the materials needed to complete the project. The total cost of the project will be impacted greatly by materials such as lumber, concrete, hardware, railings, deck boards, and fasteners. The material costs alone of a composite decking may range from $9 to $16 per square foot. Although costs can change depending on economic conditions, including labor costs, the total cost of a composite deck can reach anywhere from $30 to $60 per square foot. You may spend anywhere from $5,000 to $20,000 for a composite deck, depending on deck size and labor used.
Labor or No Labor Cost
You can save on the total cost of a deck by opting go the DIY deck building route. However, by hiring an experienced professional deck building contractor to install composite decking material, Chicago area homeowners can save time on design and building tasks and ensure the project is completed in compliance with local building codes.
Other Factors to Consider
Composite deck cost can also be affected by whether your deck is multi-level with stairs, and has railings, built-in seating, and other features.
For information about the composite decking products and services we offer at DIYDeck.com, give us a call today at 952.736.3308 or use our contact form to leave us a message.