CostGuideHQ

Composite Deck Cost: $8,500 Average in 2026

Author: CostGuideHQ Editorial·✓ Fact-checked·Updated July 2026·5 min read·4 sources
Quick answerQuick answer: A composite deck costs $8,500 on average, with most projects landing between $5,400 and $11,500 (Angi). Small decks can run as low as $1,500, while large or elevated decks can top $20,000, depending mainly on size, material brand, and how much substructure work is involved.
  • The national average for a composite deck is about $8,500, with a typical range of $5,400 to $11,500 (Angi).
  • Per square foot, sources report installed pricing anywhere from $15-$32 (Angi) up to $40-$80 (HomeGuide), depending on how much substructure work is included.
  • Materials alone run about $5 to $18 per square foot depending on the type: PVC, mineral-based composite, or wood-plastic composite (Angi).
  • A small 100 sq ft deck can cost as little as $1,500-$3,200, while a large 480 sq ft deck can run $7,200-$15,400 or more (Angi).

How much does composite deck cost?

National average
$8,500
total project
Typical range
$5,400–$11,500
Most projects
Whole project
$1,500–$20,000
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Cost by material / type

TypeLowHigh
PVC decking, materials only (per sq ft)$5$15
Mineral-based composite, materials only (per sq ft)$6$15
Wood-plastic composite, materials only (per sq ft)$10$18
Trex brand, materials only (per sq ft)$5$15
TimberTech/AZEK, materials only (per sq ft)$6$13
CertainTeed, materials only (per sq ft)$7$9
Estimate your cost
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Rough estimate only — get local quotes for exact pricing.

What affects the cost?

  • Deck size — a small 10x10 ft (100 sq ft) deck runs about $1,500-$3,200 while a 20x24 ft (480 sq ft) deck runs $7,200-$15,400 (Angi)
  • Material type — PVC decking runs $5-$15/sq ft, mineral-based composite $6-$15/sq ft, and wood-plastic composite $10-$18/sq ft in materials alone (Angi)
  • Brand tier — Trex runs about $5-$15/sq ft, TimberTech/AZEK $6-$13/sq ft, and CertainTeed $7-$9/sq ft in materials (HomeGuide)
  • Deck height and style — ground-level or platform decks run cheaper per square foot than elevated, second-story, or multi-level decks, which need more substructure and support (Fixr, Bob Vila)
  • Labor — installation labor typically adds about $10-$14 per square foot on top of material costs (Angi, Bob Vila)
  • Substructure/framing scope — quotes that include a full new frame and substructure run notably higher per square foot ($40-$80 installed per HomeGuide) than quotes assuming simpler builds
  • Old deck removal — demolishing an existing deck before rebuilding costs roughly $5-$15 per square foot (Angi, Bob Vila)
  • Permits — typically $225-$500 depending on jurisdiction (Angi, Bob Vila)
  • Railings, stairs, and extras — stairs run about $25 per square foot, and railings/posts/additional materials can add $3,800-$8,300 to a project (Angi)

Why does a composite deck cost so much?

A composite deck costs $8,500 on average, with most homeowners spending between $5,400 and $11,500 for a typical project (Angi). The spread comes down to two things: the deck’s footprint and how much substructure work is involved. A small 100 sq ft deck can run as little as $1,500-$3,200, while a large 480 sq ft deck can run $7,200-$15,400 or more (Angi). Per square foot, installed pricing runs anywhere from $15-$32 (Angi) to $40-$80 (HomeGuide) — the high end applies when a project needs a full new frame and substructure built from scratch, not just a resurfacing job. Materials make up a large chunk of the bill: composite boards alone run $5-$18 per square foot depending on the material type (Angi), before labor, which typically adds another $10-$14 per square foot (Angi, Bob Vila). Composite costs more upfront than pressure-treated wood, which runs closer to $3-$8 per square foot in materials (Fixr), but it trades that premium for lower long-term maintenance.

What affects the cost?

A handful of factors explain most of the gap between a $1,500 deck and one that runs well past $15,000:

  • Deck size. Cost scales close to linearly with square footage — a 100 sq ft deck runs $1,500-$3,200 while a 480 sq ft deck runs $7,200-$15,400 (Angi).
  • Material type. PVC decking runs $5-$15 per square foot in materials, mineral-based composite $6-$15, and wood-plastic composite $10-$18 (Angi).
  • Brand. Budget brands like Veranda and Deckorators start around $4-$5 per square foot (Bob Vila), while Trex runs $5-$15 and TimberTech/AZEK $6-$13 per square foot in materials (HomeGuide).
  • Deck height and style. Ground-level and platform decks are cheapest per square foot; elevated, second-story, and multi-level decks cost more because they need more substructure and support (Fixr, Bob Vila).
  • Labor and substructure scope. Installation labor typically adds $10-$14 per square foot, but projects that require a full new frame can push total installed pricing up to $40-$80 per square foot (Angi, HomeGuide).
  • Demolition and extras. Removing an old deck runs $5-$15 per square foot, permits typically cost $225-$500, and stairs add roughly $25 per square foot (Angi, Bob Vila).

How to lower your composite deck cost

  • Choose a budget composite brand. Entry-level lines like Veranda or Deckorators start around $4-$5 per square foot in materials, well below premium brands like Trex or TimberTech/AZEK (Bob Vila).
  • Build at ground level. Ground-level and platform decks avoid the extra substructure and support work that pushes elevated and multi-level decks toward the higher end of the per-square-foot range (Fixr, Bob Vila).
  • Keep the footprint modest. Since cost scales with size, trimming a few feet off each dimension can meaningfully lower the total, especially near the smaller end of the range where a 100 sq ft deck can come in under $3,200 (Angi).
  • Skip demolition if possible. Building over or resurfacing an existing structure (where structurally sound) avoids the $5-$15 per square foot removal cost of tearing out an old deck first (Angi, Bob Vila).
  • Limit add-ons. Stairs, railings, and extra substructure materials can add thousands to a project — Angi puts additional materials like railings and posts at $3,800-$8,300 — so keeping the design simple keeps the total closer to the base per-square-foot price.
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Frequently asked questions

How much does a composite deck cost?
A composite deck costs $8,500 on average, with most projects falling between $5,400 and $11,500 depending on size, brand, and complexity (Angi).
How much is composite decking per square foot?
Installed pricing ranges widely by source and scope: $15-$32 per square foot per Angi, $28-$40 per Fixr, $25-$50 per Bob Vila, and $40-$80 per HomeGuide when a full new substructure is included.
Is composite decking more expensive than wood?
Yes, upfront. Fixr reports pressure-treated wood materials at $3-$8 per square foot versus $8-$20 for composite, though composite typically needs less ongoing maintenance.
What's the cheapest composite decking material?
PVC and mineral-based composite tend to run cheapest for materials, around $5-$15 per square foot, while wood-plastic composite runs $10-$18 per square foot (Angi).
How much does a small composite deck cost?
A small 10x10 ft (100 sq ft) composite deck typically costs $1,500 to $3,200 (Angi).
Does deck height affect composite decking cost?
Yes. HomeGuide reports ground-level decks at $40-$50 per square foot installed versus $80-$100 for second-story and $90-$130 for multi-level decks, since elevated builds need more substructure and support.

Sources

Figures synthesized and cross-checked across these sources (retrieved 2026-07-24):

  • Angi — Average cost $8,500; standard range $5,400 to $11,500 for a typical 360 sq ft deck (low end $1,500, high end $20,000). Overall $15 to $32 per square foot installed (materials $5-$18/sq ft, labor $10-$14/sq ft). By material: PVC decking $5-$15/sq ft, mineral-based composite $6-$15/sq ft, wood plastic composite $10-$18/sq ft. By size: 10'x10' (100 sq ft) $1,500-$3,200; 12'x12' (144 sq ft) $2,200-$4,600; 18'x20' (360 sq ft) $5,400-$11,500; 20'x24' (480 sq ft) $7,200-$15,400. Permits $225-$500; demolition $5-$15/sq ft; stairs about $25/sq ft; additional materials (railings, substructure, posts) $3,800-$8,300.
  • HomeGuide — Composite decking costs $40 to $80 per square foot installed, including the substructure. A 20'x20' composite deck costs $16,000 to $32,000 total. Materials alone run $16-$32/sq ft; labor $24-$48/sq ft. By deck type (installed, per sq ft): ground-level/platform $40-$50, detached/floating $30-$40, elevated $50-$80, second-story $80-$100, multi-level $90-$130. Composite board material by resin: polyethylene $4-$11/sq ft, PVC $5-$12/sq ft, polypropylene $5-$16/sq ft. Brand pricing (materials): Trex $5-$15/sq ft, TimberTech/AZEK $6-$13/sq ft, CertainTeed $7-$9/sq ft. Comparable wood decking runs $25-$50/sq ft total.
  • Fixr — Composite decking materials run $8-$20 per square foot; installed cost $28-$40 per square foot. Overall deck project national average range $9,000-$20,000 for a typical 320 sq ft deck, with most homeowners paying around $14,000 for composite. Comparison: pressure-treated wood materials run $3-$8/sq ft; mahogany installed runs $35-$50/sq ft.
  • Bob Vila — National average $5,450; typical range $3,600 to $7,800. Overall $25-$50/sq ft (materials $15-$36/sq ft, labor $10-$14/sq ft). By size: 8x10 ft (80 sq ft) $2,000-$4,000; 12x12 ft (144 sq ft) $3,600-$7,200; 20x20 ft (400 sq ft) $10,000-$20,000. By location type (per sq ft): ground level $10-$20, floating $20-$60, second-story $40-$50, multilevel $30-$75. Brand pricing (per sq ft): Veranda $4-$5, Deckorators $5, Trex $5-$10, Fiberon $5-$10. Additional costs: permits $225-$500, deck removal $5-$15/sq ft, yard leveling $500-$1,000, deck roofing $3,000-$10,000.

Sources vary noticeably on per-square-foot installed pricing: Angi puts the overall range at $15-$32/sq ft, Fixr at $28-$40/sq ft, Bob Vila at $25-$50/sq ft, and HomeGuide at $40-$80/sq ft (HomeGuide's figure explicitly includes a full new substructure, which likely explains why it runs highest). The national average and standard range in this guide are anchored to Angi's stated figures ($8,500 average, $5,400-$11,500 typical range for a roughly 360 sq ft deck), since Angi's per-square-foot math ($15-$32) is directly derived from and consistent with its own total-project figures. Actual whole-project totals scale heavily with deck size: Angi cites a low end around $1,500 for a small deck and a high end around $20,000 for a large one; Bob Vila's national average ($5,450) and Fixr's ($14,000 typical spend, $9,000-$20,000 range) reflect different assumed deck sizes and should be read as additional data points rather than contradictions. Figures generally cover composite decking material and standard installation labor; they typically exclude roofing/covers, extensive yard grading, and major structural repairs unless a source states otherwise.