Why do two decks the same size cost so differently?

Two decks the same size cost differently because of three things: the boards on top, the framing underneath, and the design choices that shape it. Costlier boards, more framing and more detail in the layout each add to the cost. A simple rectangle at ground level in pressure-treated lumber sits at one end. A deck with several levels, capped composite or PVC boards, a patterned surface, cable rail and lighting sits at the other.

Why does the decking material change the cost so much?

Each type of board costs a different amount, from pressure-treated pine at the low end up to tropical hardwood, composite and PVC.

Pressure-treated lumber is southern yellow pine with preservatives forced into it. It is the least costly and most common decking, but it needs regular upkeep. Cedar costs more than pressure-treated. It needs regular power-washing, sanding and refinishing, and it fades to gray without protection.

Mahogany costs more upfront than pressure-treated, and it is hard and durable. Ipe and other tropical hardwoods are dense and resist insects and decay. They cost more, are very hard to cut and may need predrilling. They turn gray unless they are oiled.

Composite boards are made of recycled plastic and wood fiber, and they cost more than wood. PVC decking, which Level Line installs as Azek and other PVC, has no wood fiber at all. It generally costs more than composite, though not always. It is lighter than wood and composite and the most water resistant, and it expands and contracts with the temperature.

Is every composite board the same?

No. Some are capped with a protective shell and some are not, and even lines inside one brand are capped differently.

Uncapped composite is prone to staining and fading. Capped composite adds a protective shell that resists stains and fading.

Lines differ inside a single brand too. TimberTech caps its PRO line on more sides than its EDGE line. Trex boards are made mostly from recycled material, reclaimed sawdust and plastic. Their shell resists fading, staining, scratching and mold, and they clean with soap and water.

Level Line is a Trex Certified Installer and a TimberTech Certified Installer, and Trex is the line it leans toward. Trex, TimberTech and Fiberon each offer a limited fade-and-stain warranty. The manufacturer carries the warranty, and Level Line helps you through registration and claims.

Why does the framing under the boards matter to the cost?

The framing holds the deck up and decides how long it lasts, so better lumber, more joists and stronger connectors add cost you never see.

Lumber that touches the ground must be treated and rated for ground contact. The American Wood Protection Association lists posts and ledgers as needing that rating. It lists joists and beams too, where they are hard to replace and critical to the deck.

Composite makers such as Trex and TimberTech set the widest joist spacing allowed under their boards. Boards laid on a diagonal need the joists closer together. Heavy loads or detailed patterns may need them closer still. More joists means more lumber.

Where joists sit on top of beams, the International Residential Code says they must be held down. Hurricane ties hold far more against wind lift than nails driven in at an angle. Level Line puts hurricane clips and wind-uplift connectors on every deck.

Does living near the water change what goes into a deck?

Yes, near salt water the hardware has to stand up to corrosion, so the connectors are chosen for it.

Near salt water, connectors should be galvanized or stainless steel. Right on the coast, the connector maker Simpson Strong-Tie recommends type 316 stainless.

Salt in the air drops off sharply as you move inland from the shore. So a deck a short drive from the beach may not face what a deck on the water faces.

For homes near the shore, Level Line builds with footings, framing and salt-rated hardware made for that setting.

How do the design choices add to the cost?

Extra levels, more height, stairs and custom patterns each raise the cost.

A simple rectangle at ground level is the least costly deck to build. Several levels, more height, stairs and custom patterns raise the cost in a meaningful way. Size, height and the old deck coming out are covered in what moves the price of a new deck.

Part of what a pattern costs is hidden underneath. Picture-frame borders and diagonal inlays need extra blocking and framing. Joists are doubled where board ends meet, so the pattern on top shows up as lumber below.

With Level Line, design is a conversation. You describe the deck you want, and Mark sketches it and builds it. You can see the kinds of decks Level Line builds on the custom deck designs page.

How much do railings, lighting and built-ins change the cost?

Each one adds to the cost, and the railing type you pick makes a real difference.

Trex's own railing guide puts composite railing lowest in cost, aluminum in the middle and cable at the top. Cable costs more, but it keeps the view open. Level Line installs Trex Signature, TimberTech, cable rail, aluminum picket and wood railings.

Deck lighting like Trex's runs on low voltage. It is best put in while the deck is built, though post-cap and riser lights can be added later. Level Line offers low-voltage post-cap, stair and rail lights as an option.

Built-in seating and other deck amenities add to the cost as well. If you want a fire pit, plan for it early: Trex says not to set one directly on its boards, because high heat can soften them.