Composite vs. Wood Decking: The 2026 Showdown
Choosing the right decking material is a decision that will stay with you for decades. In 2026, the market has evolved: composite materials have reached peak realism, while premium wood continues to hold a classic appeal.
Do you want to spend your weekends staining or lounging? We’ve broken down the showdown between Composite and Wood to help you decide.
The Contenders: Meet the Materials
In this corner, we have the high-tech favorites: Trex and TimberTech. In the other, the natural heavyweight: Premium Western Red Cedar.
Feature | Composite (Trex/TimberTech) | Premium Wood (Cedar)
Material | Recycled wood & plastic (WPC) or PVC | 100% Natural Heartwood
Lifespan | 25 – 50 years | 15 – 20 years
20-Year Maintenance | Soap and water rinse | "Sanding, staining & sealing"
Look | Hyper-realistic (Multi-tonal),"Authentic | varying grains"
Feel | Cooler-touch PVC options | "Naturally cool, but can splinter"
1. Upfront Costs: The Initial Investment
There is no denying it: Wood wins on the day the check is written.
Premium Cedar: For a standard 300-sq.-ft. deck, expect to pay between $9,000 and $15,000 installed. Cedar is a "mid-range" wood—more expensive than pressure-treated pine but significantly less than high-end synthetics.
Composite/PVC: For that same size, a high-quality Trex or TimberTech deck will run between $14,000 and $22,000. You are paying a premium for the engineering, the 50-year fade-and-stain warranties, and the hidden fastener systems that leave the surface screw-free.
2. The Maintenance Math: 20 Years Later
This is where the tide turns. Wood is like a living organism; it breathes, expands, and—if left alone—rots.
To keep a Cedar deck looking like "Premium Cedar," you must sand and restain it every 2 to 3 years.
The Cost of Wood Upkeep: Between professional labor and high-quality stain, homeowners average $800–$1,200 per service. Over 20 years, that’s $8,000 to $12,000 just to keep it alive.
The Cost of Composite Upkeep: Your cost is roughly $20/year for a box of deck cleaner and a garden hose.
The 20-Year Verdict: By the time your deck is 15 years old, the "cheaper" wood deck has often cost more in total ownership than the "expensive" composite deck—and that’s not even counting the 10+ weekends you spent working on it.
3. Brand Spotlight: Trex vs. TimberTech
If you choose composite in 2026, you’re likely looking at these two giants:
Trex: The eco-leader. Made from 95% recycled materials. Known for its Transcend line, which is incredibly scratch-resistant—perfect for families with big dogs or heavy patio furniture.
TimberTech: The aesthetic king. Their AZEK (PVC) line is engineered to stay up to 30°F cooler than other composites, making it the top choice for sunny, south-facing backyards where bare feet are common.
4. The "Intangibles": Splinters vs. Heat
Wood's Downside: Even the best Cedar will eventually "check" (small cracks) or splinter. If you have kids or pets, the risk of a splinter is a real factor.
Composite's Downside: Early composites were famous for looking like "plastic" and getting burning hot. However, 2026 technology has largely solved this with multi-tonal streaking and heat-dissipating polymers.
Final Verdict: Which should you choose?
Choose Premium Wood if: You love the smell of real timber, you enjoy the "zen" of a DIY weekend project, or you plan on moving in less than 5 years.
Choose Composite if: You view your deck as a long-term investment, you want a "set-it-and-forget-it" lifestyle, and you want your deck to look exactly the same on day 1,000 as it did on day 1.