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Glam Journal

How much does it cost per square foot to build a Trex deck

Author

Emily Wilson

Updated on April 30, 2026

A typical 24′ x 12′ deck (288 square feet) built with Trex decking will cost between $4,244 and $10,826 for materials and installation. Trex decking materials cost $8.25 per square foot on average, while the average labor cost for decking is $7.52 per square foot.

How much does it cost to install Trex per square foot?

Cost to Install Trex Decking The cost to install Trex ranges from $5 to $15 per square foot. For complete installations that include rails, stairs and framing, expect to spend anywhere from $15 to $35 per square foot for labor, permits and other installation costs.

How much does a 20 x20 composite deck cost?

The average deck size is usually around 400 square feet. If we assume a 20′ x 20′ deck, then a rough estimate for pressure treated wood would be around $3,000, whereas the same deck built with a high-quality composite material might cost around $5,6001.

How do you estimate a Trex deck?

Trex Decking Cost Per Square Foot The materials cost for a Trex deck with substructure, decking and fasteners included, generally falls into the range of $9 to $16 per square foot. Options and the materials grade, however, can push this total as high as $30 per square foot.

How much does it cost to install composite decking per square foot?

Labor costs to install composite decking run between $1,500 and $2,000 per project or $10 to $14 per square foot.

Is a Trex deck worth it?

Composite decking is worth the money. It costs more upfront, but thanks to minimal maintenance costs and long life, the annual cost for the life of the fence is significantly cheaper for composite materials. If what you have in mind are the Trex decks of 15 years ago, you’d be surprised to see how far they’ve come.

Is there a cheaper version of Trex?

Generally speaking, Trex and Fiberon offer the least expensive options while TimberTech and AZEK come in on the higher end. However, keep in mind that the higher-tiered grades of Trex are more expensive than the lower-tiered grades of Timbertech so it’s important to make sure you’re comparing apples to apples.

How many Trex boards do I need for a 12x12 deck?

Board lengthBoards required8 FT20612 FT13716 FT10320 FT83

How much does it cost to build a Trex deck?

A typical 24′ x 12′ deck (288 square feet) built with Trex decking will cost between $4,244 and $10,826 for materials and installation. Trex decking materials cost $8.25 per square foot on average, while the average labor cost for decking is $7.52 per square foot.

Is Trex cheaper than wood 2021?

Trex Decking can be slightly more pricey than wood decking, depending on the features you choose. A Trex deck costs on average $5 to $12 per square foot, compared to wood decking which costs $3 to $7 per square foot. Pressure treated wood will be more expensive, costing between $6 and $14 per square foot.

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How much is labor for building a deck?

Labor costs will total just about two-thirds of the total project cost. With contractors charging, on average, about $35 per square foot. For an average deck size between 200 and 500 square feet, you can expect to pay out between $7,000 and $17,000 just for installation and labor.

Is Trex more expensive than wood?

An obstacle for Trex is that composites cost a lot more than natural wooden decking. By Trex’s estimates, for a 16- by 20-foot deck, the materials outlay for its Transcend line are $2,714, almost five times that of regular wood ($577).

How do I estimate the cost of a deck?

Often, adding a deck is significantly less expensive to add outdoor living space with a deck than it is to add an addition to your home. Adding a deck can add significant value to your home as well. The average cost of building a deck is about $20 – $50 per square foot, and most spend $4,000 to $12,000 to build one.

Is composite decking more expensive than wood?

Typically, wood decking is lower cost to purchase than composites, especially in the initial purchase. However, although the initial cost of wood is less, composite usually ends up paying for itself within 2-3 years when including the cost of annual maintenance.

What is the cost of installing a deck?

The average price range of building a new deck in the United States can be anywhere between $4,000 and $11,000. Including materials and labor, a standard deck will cost roughly $30-$60 per square foot. That means, for a standard 14 x 20 foot deck, you can expect to pay around $6,000.

Are composite decking prices up?

A national shortage of lumber has driven up costs for decking by as much as 150 percent in the past year. … Alternative materials, such as aluminum and composite decking, which are typically priced at a high premium over wood, are now more viable options, even if they’re still more expensive.

Are Trex decks hot?

While wood gets hot enough to make walking with bare feet uncomfortable, composite decking gets even hotter. In some cases, Trex can become so hot that it may become unusable under intense, direct sunlight. The darker the Trex decking material, the more heat is retained.

Does Trex get moldy?

Composite decking materials are made from a combination of wood fibers and plastic. Several manufacturers have been involved in class-action lawsuits, largely because consumers claim the wood lookalike harbors mold. Trex, a popular manufacturer of composite decking, says mold will not damage the deck boards.

What is an alternative to Trex?

  • 01 of 08. Trex. Trex. …
  • 02 of 08. TimberTech (AZEK) AZEK. …
  • 03 of 08. Cali-Bamboo. Cali-Bamboo. …
  • 04 of 08. Dura-Life. DuraLife. …
  • 05 of 08. Envision Composite Lumber. Envision. …
  • 06 of 08. Fiberon. Fiberon. …
  • 07 of 08. CertainTeed EverNew. CertainTeed. …
  • 08 of 08. Lumberock. Lumberock.

Can I put Grill on Trex deck?

Yes, Gas grills are safe to use on a composite deck. Composite decking is designed to a minimum of Class C fire rating similar to wood decking. … As an extra layer of protection, people will often place a grill mat or pad to protect the decking from both heat and spills.

Why is Trex decking so expensive?

The first reason why composite decking is expensive is that they’re not an expenditure. … Composite decking materials are designed to be resistant to mold, mildew, and rot. There’s no chance of any bug damage. It may be a hefty price upfront, but it does end up saving you a ton of money in the long run.

Can dogs nails scratch Trex decking?

Composite decking mimics the look of natural wood, but without the upkeep. While it’s much more scratch resistant than wood, it’s not totally scratch proof. With enough gusto, your pooch could still leave permanent marks.

How long does it take to build a Trex deck?

How long does it take to build a deck? 5 to 7 workdays is what it generally takes to build a deck.

Is Trex decking expensive?

The cost of Trex decking (including material and installation) will run anywhere from $6.50 to $8.50 a square foot. Although Trex decking is more expensive than traditional wood decking, there are a lot of benefits to composite decking.

How much should a composite deck cost?

Let’s get down to it: how much is composite decking? On average, a composite deck costs between $30 and $60 per square foot, including installation. Natural decks, on the other hand, cost about $23 to $42 per square foot installed, especially for high-end wood like cedar and redwood.

What are the disadvantages of composite decking?

  • A pricey alternative to wood. Durability comes at a cost, as composite decking is more expensive than wood. …
  • Composites aren’t natural. …
  • Composite decks aren’t completely maintenance free. …
  • You’ll need to comparison shop.

Does Trex decking need to be spaced?

You must gap Trex® decking, both end-to-end and width-to-width. Gapping is necessary for drainage and the slight thermal expansion and contraction of Trex decking boards.

What is a Trek deck?

Composite Decking. Composite decking—like Trex—is a blend of plastic film and wood fibers. The plastic film that goes into composite decking can include polypropylene or polyethylene. These plastics work well with wood fibers to create a strong, resilient material that is more stable than 100% plastic decking.

Why is there a shortage of Trex decking?

There were several factors that caused this shortage—the pandemic, tariffs on imported lumber from Canada, demand increases, and supply chain logistic problems.

Will composite decking prices come down?

(The biggest cost is installation, running for a product that size at just over $10,000.) Today, Trex’s price hasn’t budged, but wood’s gotten almost as expensive, rising two-fold to $1,100. Put simply, a composite deck that a year ago sold at twice the price of wood now goes for just 10% more.

Is Trex more expensive than redwood?

Price – Wood decking generally costs less than composite. Pressure-treated pine sells for about half the price, while premium woods like cedar and redwood cost slightly less than composite.