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Composite Deck Cost in 2026

How Trex, TimberTech, and Fiberon stack up against pressure-treated wood per square foot, and how to show the upgrade on the actual backyard photo before the homeowner picks the cheapest option.

By Monty, Founder, PaperPlan · Updated May 5, 2026

Try PaperPlan free — render the finished deck on your own backyard photo in about 15 seconds.

Why this page exists

Composite vs wood at a glance

See the per-square-foot price gap, life expectancy, and 10-year cost of ownership in one table.

Sell the upgrade with a render

Most homeowners default to wood because they can’t picture composite on their own house. A render fixes that in 15 seconds.

Brand-level pricing

Trex Enhance vs Trex Transcend vs TimberTech AZEK — the spread is real and worth understanding before you quote.

Total cost of ownership

Composite costs more up front but breaks even on labor and stain in 8–10 years. The math is in this page.

How it works

  1. Upload a backyard photo. Use any phone photo of the build site. No measurements, no CAD file.
  2. Mark the deck area. Drag to outline where the deck goes. Add stairs or a railing line if you want them.
  3. Choose material and design. Pick composite, PVC, cedar, or pressure-treated. Compare looks on the same photo.
  4. Generate the render and share. Get a photorealistic render in seconds. Send it to the homeowner or attach it to a proposal.

Composite Deck Cost in 2026

Composite decking is engineered wood and recycled plastic, capped with a hard PVC shell on premium lines. The price spread by brand is real — entry-level Trex Enhance and the flagship TimberTech AZEK are not the same product. Compare them honestly below.

MaterialInstalled priceLifespanMaintenanceHeatLook
Pressure-treated pine$25 – $40 / sq ft10–15 yrsAnnual stain/sealCoolNatural wood, fades to grey
Cedar$30 – $50 / sq ft15–20 yrsStain every 2–3 yrsCoolWarm reddish wood, ages naturally
Trex Enhance (entry composite)$40 – $60 / sq ft25 yr warrantySoap and waterWarmComposite, basic grain pattern
Trex Transcend / TimberTech PRO$50 – $75 / sq ft25–30 yr warrantySoap and waterWarmPremium composite, multi-tone grain
AZEK / TimberTech AZEK (PVC)$60 – $90 / sq ft50 yr warrantySoap and waterCooler than compositePVC, deepest cap, richest color hold

Per square foot, composite costs roughly $20–$30 more than pressure-treated pine. Over 10 years, the labor and stain savings on a 320 sq ft deck typically erase that gap. The upgrade conversation is easier when the homeowner can see it on their own house.

Common questions

Is composite decking worth the extra cost?

For most homeowners staying in the house 8+ years, yes. The price gap closes on maintenance and labor, and the resale value of composite is meaningfully higher than pressure-treated pine.

How much does Trex cost per square foot?

Trex Enhance runs about $40–$60 per square foot installed. Trex Transcend, the premium line, runs $50–$75. PVC alternatives like TimberTech AZEK push $60–$90.

Does composite get hot in the sun?

Dark composite (Trex Spiced Rum, Fiberon Mahogany) gets noticeably hotter than wood. Lighter composites and PVC stay cooler. PaperPlan lets homeowners see how a lighter color looks before they commit.

Can I show the upgrade visually?

Yes. PaperPlan renders the same backyard in pressure-treated, Trex Enhance, Trex Transcend, and AZEK PVC — same photo, side by side. That alone closes most upgrade conversations.

Keep researching

  • Deck Cost Calculator — Use our deck cost calculator to estimate the price of a new deck by size and material. Compare pressure-treated, composite, and PVC, then visualize the deck on your own backyard photo.
  • Cost to Build a Deck in 2026 — How much does it cost to build a deck in 2026? See installed-cost ranges by size and material, what affects the price, and how to render the deck before you quote.
  • Best Composite Decking in 2026 — The best composite decking in 2026 by use case. Compare Trex, TimberTech, Fiberon, and Deckorators on price, warranty, heat, and looks — then visualize each on your yard.
  • PVC vs Composite Decking — PVC vs composite decking in 2026: cost per square foot, heat retention, lifespan, and looks. See how AZEK and Trex Transcend compare — and visualize both on your yard.
  • Deck Visualizer for Real Backyards — A deck visualizer that uses your real backyard photo. Compare composite, PVC, cedar, and pressure-treated decking on the actual yard before you commit.

All deck planning guides