Is composite decking really that much more expensive than wood?

Composite's per-square-foot range overlaps with wood at the low end but extends much higher for premium composite products — composite is generally pitched as a lower-maintenance, longer-lasting alternative that costs more upfront.

Does this include permits or footings?

No — the installed range is a broad national average that may or may not fully reflect your local permit fees or footing/foundation requirements, which vary by jurisdiction and site conditions.

Why is metal decking priced so high?

Metal decking (often aluminum) is a premium, low-maintenance, fire-resistant option — less common than wood or composite, and typically priced at the higher end of the range.

How much does deck height affect cost?

Significantly — a raised deck needs more substantial footings, railings, and often stairs, all of which add real cost beyond this size-based estimate.

Should I get a professional installer or DIY?

That's a personal decision based on skill, tools, and time available — the materials-only figure is closer to what a confident DIYer would spend, while the installed figure reflects hiring a professional contractor.

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Math & Everyday

Deck Cost Calculator

National-average cost range to build a deck, by size and decking material.

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About the Deck Cost Calculator

Estimates the national-average cost range to build a deck, both materials-only (by decking type) and professionally installed (materials + labor combined), from the deck's square footage.

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How to use it

Enter your deck's size in square feet.
Choose a decking material.
Read the installed cost range and the materials-only range for your chosen material.

Formula

Materials-only cost range = deck area (sq ft) × that material's low/high cost-per-sq-ft range. Professionally installed cost range (materials + labor) = deck area × a blended installed low/high cost-per-sq-ft range, used regardless of material choice since it reflects an overall average across decking types.

Worked example

A 300 sq ft deck in composite decking: materials-only range of about $1,500–$6,000, versus a professionally installed range (materials + labor) of about $9,000–$18,000 for the same size regardless of material chosen.

Materials-only cost per square foot by decking type

Materials-only cost per square foot by decking type
Material	Low	High
Pressure-treated wood	$3/sq ft	$8/sq ft
Composite	$5/sq ft	$20/sq ft
Vinyl / PVC	$5/sq ft	$13/sq ft
Metal	$6/sq ft	$20/sq ft

Interpreting your result

These are 2026 national-average cost ranges per square foot (sourced via Angi/NerdWallet), not a bid or a quote. Real project cost varies hugely by region and local labor rates, deck height and footing/foundation requirements, permits, railings, stairs, design complexity, and the specific product tier you choose. The installed range already blends materials and labor across all decking types — get a local contractor quote before budgeting precisely.

Recommendations

• Pressure-treated wood is the cheapest material upfront but typically needs more frequent staining/sealing — factor in long-term maintenance cost, not just the initial build.
• The installed range is far wider than the materials-only range because labor, permits, footings, and design complexity vary enormously by project and region.
• Get at least 2-3 local contractor quotes before budgeting precisely — regional labor rates alone can shift the real number well outside these national averages.

Frequently asked questions

The installed figure is a blended national average across all decking types combined, since labor cost doesn't vary as cleanly by material as materials cost does — choosing a specific material mainly changes the materials-only estimate shown alongside it.