Most people choose pressure-treated timber for a new deck, although cedar, redwood, and bamboo are all common choices. Building a deck without blowing your budget is possible if you plan and learn how much it will cost and how to keep the overall cost down.
Find out everything you need to know about the most common decking materials and how much you can expect to spend on your deck project for each one.
How Much Does it Cost to Build a Deck?
Building a deck may be expensive due to several considerations, including the final finish and site preparation. However, hiring a contractor to install is usually the most costly option. To avoid price hikes, it is essential to know this.
Like many construction projects, you may break down the expenses of building a new deck into materials at a deck store and labour costs. On the lower end, you should expect to spend no more than $4,000. A top-tier outdoor space, however, might cost up to $45,000 if you want a large area, high-quality wood, and other amenities like built-ins. Building a deck is expensive, but it is an excellent way to turn your backyard into a peaceful retreat.
Different types of popular Decking Materials
Redwood
For a decking material that is resistant to insect damage and warping, redwood costs around $7 per square foot. If it is exposed to direct sunlight, it will need to be serviced yearly to maintain it in peak condition. Redwood that has been well-maintained may be painted and stained to provide a stunning finish.
Pressure-Treated Lumber
As pressure-treated timber is resistant to decay and insects, it is often used for deck construction. It’s not impervious to the elements, though. Pressure-treated timber is susceptible to splitting, cracking, and deterioration from the environment, so you’ll need to maintain it with regular sanding and staining. Pressure-treated lumber may be purchased for anywhere from $5 to $8 per square foot, depending on the quality.
If you choose to use pressure-treated timber, you should be prepared to either seal or stain the wood after the construction project is over. Before applying a stain on timber, you may want to wait a few months to allow it to continue drying out, depending on the season, to get the finest possible look.
Bamboo
Bamboo is gaining favour as a decking material since it is both low-cost and elegant when constructed into a deck. Bamboo’s yearly upkeep is comparable to that of wood. However, it usually has a longer lifespan. Unless you live in a region that rains nonstop, bamboo is a cost-effective solution at $3 to $4 per square foot.
Composite
Composite decking is created from wood waste and recycled polymers, making it a sustainable choice for your deck. It’s long-lasting and low-maintenance, but remember that the materials might cost anywhere from $10 to $15 a square foot.
Furthermore, Composite decking doesn’t need sanding or painting and is weather-resistant. Many other colours and styles are also available. It is possible that certain types of composite decking may need specific fasteners since they are slippery or susceptible to mildew. Polypropylene-based boards are the strongest.
Cedar
When it comes to decks that are regularly exposed to the weather, cedar wood provides the ideal combination of appearance and rot resistance. However, since it is a soft wood, it is prone to dents and scratches. The price of a square foot of cedar ranges from $4 to $8. If you want to use cedar, check here at G&B Quality Cedar Products. You will find what you need and fits your budget.
Ipe
Beautiful and pricey, Ipe is a Brazilian hardwood that’s almost unbreakable. Ipe wood costs up to three times as much as cedar for supplies alone, coming in at $15 per square foot. According to renovation professionals, although working with ipe wood can be challenging due to its hardness, once installed, it can prove to be a deck material with very few disadvantages. To preserve Ipe in good condition, it must be oiled every year, even though it is weather, pest, and rot resistant.
All decking materials negatively influence the environment since they either utilize plastics or need regular chemical upkeep. Try this instead for a more environmentally friendly choice.
Conclusion
Finding the answer to the question of how much a deck cost is a vital aspect of the planning process for upgrading your deck; yet, the answer is not always that simple to obtain. Naturally, the cost of the materials will increase in proportion to the deck size; thus, you need to examine which materials are the most advantageous for you in terms of both short-term and long-term investments and ask your local deck store what would be most suitable for your home.