A standard 12×16 deck costs $3,000–$6,500 for pressure-treated wood or $6,500–$13,000 for composite, professionally installed. Material choice drives most of the cost difference. Here's the complete breakdown.
Quick answer: Pressure-treated wood decks cost $15–$35/sq ft installed. Composite decks run $30–$60/sq ft installed. A typical 12×16 (192 sq ft) deck costs $2,900–$6,700 for wood or $5,800–$11,500 for composite.
| Deck Size | Wood | Composite |
|---|---|---|
| 10 × 10 | $1,500–$3,500 | $3,000–$6,000 |
| 10 × 12 | $1,800–$4,200 | $3,600–$7,200 |
| 12 × 14 | $2,520–$5,880 | $5,040–$10,080 |
| 12 × 16 | $2,880–$6,720 | $5,760–$11,520 |
| 14 × 20 | $4,200–$9,800 | $8,400–$16,800 |
| 16 × 20 | $4,800–$11,200 | $9,600–$19,200 |
| 20 × 24 | $7,200–$16,800 | $14,400–$28,800 |
| Material | Installed $/Sq Ft |
|---|---|
| Pressure-treated pine | $15–$25 |
| Cedar | $20–$35 |
| Redwood | $25–$40 |
| Composite (Trex, TimberTech) | $30–$50 |
| PVC (Azek, TimberTech) | $35–$60 |
| Ipe (tropical hardwood) | $35–$55 |
Maintenance: PT pine — stain/seal every 2–3 years. Cedar/redwood — optional sealing. Composite/PVC — occasional cleaning only. Ipe — optional annual oiling.
| Material | Est. Cost |
|---|---|
| 4×4 or 6×6 posts (8 ft) | $60–$180 |
| 2×8 or 2×10 joists (16 ft) | $130–$260 |
| 2×8 ledger board (16 ft) | $12–$20 |
| 2×8 rim/band joist | $40–$80 |
| 5/4×6 decking boards (12 ft) | $280–$480 |
| Post-to-beam hardware | $30–$60 |
| Joist hangers | $40–$65 |
| Concrete footings (bags or tubes) | $60–$120 |
| Deck screws (5-lb box) | $30–$50 |
| Railing system (if needed) | $200–$600 |
| Stair stringers + treads (if needed) | $75–$200 |
| DIY Total | $957–$2,115 |
Calculate exact material quantities for your deck with our Deck Calculator.
| Material | 20-Yr Total |
|---|---|
| Pressure-treated | $7,400–$11,000 |
| Cedar | $4,600–$8,200 |
| Composite | $6,000–$10,000 |
Composite often costs the same or less than pressure-treated over 20 years when maintenance and replacement are factored in.
Deck size is the biggest factor — a larger deck scales both materials and labor proportionally. Height off the ground matters significantly: elevated decks need more posts, deeper footings, and lateral bracing — adding 20–40% to the cost. Material choice is the other major variable (see table above). Railing can be 25–30% of total project cost — cable and glass railings are especially expensive. Stairs add $500–$1,500 per staircase. Permits typically run $100–$500 but are required almost everywhere. Demolition of an old deck adds $5–$10/sq ft. Difficult site access for material delivery increases cost. Geographic region affects both labor rates and lumber prices — coastal and high-cost cities run 20–40% above national averages.
| Factor | DIY | Professional |
|---|---|---|
| Cost (12×16 PT wood) | $1,000–$2,100 | $2,900–$6,700 |
| Time | 2–4 weekends | 3–7 days |
| Permits & inspections | You handle | Usually included |
| Warranty | Product warranty only | Labor warranty (1–5 years typical) |
A 12×16 (192 sq ft) deck costs $2,900–$6,700 for pressure-treated wood or $5,800–$11,500 for composite, professionally installed. DIY materials only: $1,000–$2,100 for wood.
Over 20 years, composite often costs the same as wood when you include staining, sealing, and eventual replacement. Composite is virtually maintenance-free and lasts 25–50 years. If you plan to stay long-term, composite is typically worth it.
Almost always yes. Most jurisdictions require a building permit for any attached deck and for freestanding decks over a certain height (often 30" above grade). Building without a permit can create problems when selling.
10–15 years for the decking boards, longer for the structural framing. The boards wear first — they split, warp, and gray over time. Regular staining extends the life to 15–20 years.
Pressure-treated pine at $2–$5/sq ft for material. Strong, code-approved, and widely available. The tradeoff is ongoing maintenance and a shorter lifespan.
Wood railing runs $20–$35 per linear foot installed. Composite: $30–$60/LF. Aluminum or cable: $40–$80/LF. For a 12×16 deck with railing on 3 sides (~40 LF), budget $800–$2,400.