reza If you don’t already have one, the addition of a deck can be a great way to boost the use and enjoyment of your property. The good thing about it is that it adds a measurable value to your property, and the money spent on it can be mostly recouped if you choose to sell the property any time soon.
That said, there are many factors that will come to play when trying to calculate how much it would cost you to add a deck to your home, one of which is the type of decking material you choose to use.
In this article, we explore the different material options for your deck installation and how much each costs. For more information, visit our website at deckbuildersofkansascity.com.
Pressure-Treated Deck
One of the most cost-effective materials that can be used to build your deck is pressure-treated wood. While the most common form is usually pine, they can also be softwoods. To treat the wood, it is immersed in a preservative, which is usually Carbon Copper Arsenate (CCA), after which the wood is put under pressure to allow the chemicals to permeate it and prevent wood rot. To prevent it from rusting, pressure-treated wood makes use of galvanized screws and fasteners.
The average cost of installing a deck using pressure-treated wood is between $15 to $18 per square foot. The material itself is around $2.15 to $5.50 per square foot.
Trex Decking
Trex is a practical alternative to wood that is made from a composite combination of wood fibers and plastic film. Although the wooden deck options have been popular for a very long time, the popularity of Trex has surged lately.
The general component of this material option for deck construction is 95{fc5146d3c902efb200e22464d75d0630cbb5ec18638f47f018aad56a29cf9edd} recycled materials such as discarded plastic bags and sawdust. Each Trex board comes with a very effective shell that makes it resistant to rot, insects, splintering, and warping. Also, Trex decking is literally maintenance-free, as the material does not require painting or staining.
You can expect to spend an average of $4,800 on the installation of Trex decking. The cost of the boards ranges between $5 and $12 per square foot, and about the same price range for the installation per square foot.
Redwood Deck
Redwood is becoming a popular material option for deck building and it is a great alternative to pressure-treated wood. It is highly resistant to water, insect, and root, which makes chemicals unnecessary to make it last for years. Redwood comes in a wide range of colors, prices, and durability. These will be influenced by whether you use heartwood or sapwood, and where the wood is coming from. The cost can also be affected by how far the material is to be transported to you.
The cost of installing a redwood deck per square foot is between $6 and $36 for materials, and from $18 to $47 per square foot for installation.
Composite Deck
Composite materials are a combination of different recycled materials which may include wood, fiber cement, plastic, vinyl, or wood pulp. While composite decking mimics wood decking in its appearance, the maintenance demands are different as composite materials do well even under harsh weather.
Decks made from composite materials can vary in their properties depending on the kind of composite. For example, some composite materials can be water-resistant, while some others have the tendency to swell, especially when not installed properly. Some of them remain cool underfoot, while some can get very hot. However, composite decking installation is easy, requires minimal maintenance, and can last for many years.
The average cost of a composite deck material ranges from $9 to $17 per square foot, and the installation costs are from $21 to $40 per square foot.
PVC Deck
This material option is one of the subtypes of composite decking. The PVC decking is a water-resistant and low-maintenance material option for your deck installation. It makes a good sunny deck as it doesn’t get hot underfoot.
The average cost of materials for a PCV deck is between $10 and $18 per square foot. You can expect to pay between $22 and $41 on installation per square foot.
Aluminum Deck
If you are looking to install a metal deck without having to worry about it getting hot on sunny days, the aluminum deck remains a great choice. This material option is a lightweight metal that can give your deck a contemporary look. It is very easy to work with and install, resistant to insects and flame and does not rot.
Aluminum has the downsides of being very noisy, making pinging and echoing noises when being walked on, and being highly prone to dents.
The cost of aluminum decks per square foot is between $14 and $15 for the material and $26 to $37 on installation per square foot.
Cedar Deck
This is another popular material option for the home’s exterior and is much used for deck construction. Cedar is one of the easiest hardwoods to work with. It is also resistant to insects and rot. While it is not necessary to stain or paint cedar decks, you may require a primer first if you choose to paint it. This is because it bleeds through the paint.
Due to its availability and increasing popularity, the cost of cedar has increased in recent times. You can expect to spend an average of $17 to $35 per square foot for cedar decking material, and between $30 to $47 per square foot on the installation.
Bottom line
There are a wide range of factors to consider when trying to get the cost of installing a deck in your home, the major determinants being the size and the material option that is to be used for the construction. The national average cost for deck installation is around $12,600 for a deck of 320 square feet.
You may want to refer to the Fixr.com cost guide to learn more about what you should expect to pay for your deck installation based on different factors. However, the best way to get the exact figures for deck installation is to engage the service of a deck construction contractor.
