Composite Decking vs Pressure-Treated Wood: Making the Right Choice

Deck and Patio Construction

Composite decking's premium upfront cost is offset by dramatically lower maintenance requirements over the life of the deck — but the right choice depends on how you use your outdoor space.

Pressure-treated lumber (ACQ or borate-treated pine) remains the lowest-cost decking material per linear foot. A well-constructed pressure-treated deck built with quality framing and premium decking boards looks excellent when new and can provide 15 to 25 years of service with consistent maintenance.

Design and Material Options

The maintenance reality of pressure-treated wood is the reason many homeowners ultimately switch to composite. Cleaning, sanding, and re-staining or re-sealing every 1 to 3 years is a significant annual time commitment. Skipping a season accelerates weathering, greying, and eventual surface checking.

Composite decking is manufactured from a blend of wood fibres and recycled plastic. Premium brands like Trex, Fiberon, and TimberTech use a fully capped composite — a solid plastic cap over the composite core — that resists moisture, staining, mould, and UV fading. These products carry 25 to 30-year warranties and require only annual washing.

Project Planning

Heat retention is a legitimate consideration for composite. Dark-coloured composite decking absorbs and retains heat significantly more than wood on hot sunny days. This can make the surface uncomfortable to walk barefoot on during peak summer afternoons. Light grey or off-white composite options reduce this effect substantially.

Composite decking requires correct framing and joist spacing — typically 16 inches on-centre for end-to-end spans, and 12 inches on-centre for 45-degree diagonal or picture-frame installation. Installing composite on an incorrectly spaced frame results in visible deflection between joists and voids the product warranty.