Decking & Outdoor Living

Deck Building Cost & Material Calculator.

Estimate Trex composite or wood deck installation cost per square foot, framing joists, post footings, railing linear footage, and stair steps.

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Composite & Wood
Free tool

Updated August 4, 2026 · Free to use · No sign-up required

DECK COST PLANNER

Enter deck dimensions & material.

Deck size (sq ft) sq ft Installed cost per square foot $ PT Wood $25/sqft | Composite $48/sqft | Exotic $65/sqft Joist spacing ft (16 in) Decking boards per sq ft boards Railing linear footage ft Railing cost per linear foot $/ft Stair steps to ground steps Price per stair step $ Includes stringers & treads

Include old deck demolition & haul-away $per sq ft

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Deck Material Benchmarks

2026 US & UK Decking Cost Guide.

National averages for residential deck building per square foot.

Pressure-Treated Wood$22 – $32 per sq ft installed. Budget friendly, requires sealing every 2 years.

Cedar / Redwood Deck$35 – $48 per sq ft installed. Natural rot resistance, beautiful wood grain.

Trex / TimberTech Composite$45 – $65 per sq ft installed. 25-year warranty, zero staining or splintering.

Ipe / Exotic Hardwood$65 – $95 per sq ft installed. Ultra durable, fire resistant, luxury aesthetic.

For Deck Builders

Do you build custom decks or patios?

Provide homeowners with branded, preliminary estimate tools tuned to your exact labor and composite material costs. We build branded quote calculators for $650 fixed.

Ask about the $650 pilot Read contractor guide

Deck Building FAQs

Frequently asked deck questions.

How much does a 12x12 or 16x20 deck cost to build?

A 12x12 (144 sq ft) deck costs $4,000 to $8,500 installed for pressure-treated wood, or $7,200 to $12,500 for Trex composite. A 16x20 (320 sq ft) deck ranges from $9,000 to $18,000 for wood and $16,000 to $28,000 for composite.

Is composite decking worth the extra cost over wood?

Composite decking costs 40% to 70% more upfront than pressure-treated wood. However, composite never requires sanding, staining, or sealing, saving $800 to $1,500 every 3 years in maintenance.

How much do deck railings cost per linear foot?

Deck railings cost $25 to $60 per linear foot for pressure-treated wood, $45 to $85/ft for aluminum or composite, and $75 to $140/ft for cable wire or tempered glass railings.