Decking material comparison: wood vs. composite vs. PVC
An honest side-by-side of the four decking materials we install most across Bergen County and Northern New Jersey, from the deck builders who work with all of them every week.
The short answer: Pressure-treated wood is the lowest-cost decking to install but needs cleaning and staining every 2–3 years. Cedar looks the most like natural wood and resists rot on its own, but needs similar upkeep. Composite (Trex, TimberTech, Fiberon, Deckorators) costs more upfront, never needs staining and typically lasts 25+ years. PVC is the most moisture-resistant option and a strong choice for pool decks and damp, shady yards.
For most New Jersey homeowners planning to stay 10 years or more, composite ends up close to wood in total cost once staining and board replacement are counted, with far less work.
Which decking material is right for you?
Answer five quick questions. You'll see your best matches and an estimated price range for your deck size. No email required.
Decking materials compared side by side
Tap a material to highlight it in the table.
| Feature |
Pressure-treated
|
Cedar
|
Composite
|
PVC
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Installed cost (est.) | Loading… | Loading… | Loading… | Loading… |
| Upkeep | High | Moderate–high | Low | Very low |
| Typical lifespan | 10–20+ years | 15–25+ years | 25–50 years | 25–50+ years |
| Staining / sealing | Every 2–3 years | Every 2–3 years (recommended) | Never | Never |
| Rot and moisture | Good when kept sealed | Good (natural oils) | Excellent | Best of the four |
| Insect resistance | Good when properly treated | Good | Excellent | Excellent |
| Natural wood look | Real wood; weathers to gray if not stained | Real wood with the richest grain and color | Very convincing on premium lines | Good on premium lines; slightly more uniform |
| Color choices | Any stain color | Natural tones or stain | Dozens of factory colors | Dozens of factory colors |
| Splinter-free | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| In direct sun | Stays relatively cool | Stays relatively cool | Can get hot; lighter colors help | Can get hot; lighter colors and heat-mitigating lines help |
| Best for | Tight budgets, shorter ownership, DIY-friendly upkeep | Homeowners who want real wood and don't mind upkeep | Low maintenance and long-term value | Pool decks, damp or shady yards, maximum moisture resistance |
| Learn more | Wood deck building | Wood deck building | Composite deck building | TimberTech decking |
Installed cost is an estimated range for Northern NJ including framing, footings and labor, before railings, stairs and extras. Lifespans vary by product line, installation, ventilation and maintenance.
What each material really costs over time
Upfront price is only part of the story. Move the sliders to see estimated installation, upkeep and board replacement for each material over the years you'll own the deck.
How we estimate: midpoint installed cost, plus professional cleaning and staining every 3 years for wood, a yearly cleaning for composite and PVC, and new deck boards (reusing a sound frame) when wood reaches the end of its typical life. Your real numbers depend on design, access and product line.
A closer look at each decking material
Pressure-treated wood
Southern yellow pine treated with preservatives to resist rot and insects. It's the most common decking in New Jersey and the most affordable to install. Nearly every deck, including composite and PVC decks, sits on a pressure-treated frame.
- Lowest upfront cost
- Easy to repair or restain
- Stays cooler underfoot
- Stain and seal every 2–3 years
- Can crack, warp and splinter
- Shorter lifespan
Cedar
A naturally beautiful softwood with oils that help it resist decay and insects without chemical treatment. Cedar has warm color and grain that many homeowners love, but it's softer than other options and dents more easily.
- Richest natural wood look
- Naturally rot-resistant
- Lightweight and stable
- Costs more than treated pine
- Needs regular sealing to keep its color
- Softer surface scratches and dents
Composite
Boards made from a blend of wood fibers and recycled plastic, wrapped in a protective cap. Today's capped composites resist fading, staining, mold and moisture far better than early versions and never need staining. This is the material most Supreme Pro customers choose.
- No staining or sealing, ever
- 25–50 year warranties on many lines
- Splinter-free, wide color range
- Higher upfront cost
- Darker colors get hot in full sun
- Can't be sanded or restained
Composite decks · Trex · TimberTech · Fiberon
PVC
Cellular PVC boards contain no wood fibers at all, so there's nothing for moisture to soak into. PVC is lighter than composite, highly resistant to mold and staining, and often the top choice around pools and in damp, shaded spots.
- Best moisture and mold resistance
- Lightweight, very low upkeep
- Great for pool and waterfront decks
- Highest upfront cost
- Expands and contracts more with temperature
- Some lines look less like real wood
Choosing decking for a New Jersey home
Our climate is hard on decks. Here's what we weigh with homeowners before recommending a material.
Freeze–thaw winters
Water that soaks into wood freezes, expands and opens cracks. Wood decks that aren't sealed on schedule show it after a few winters. Composite and PVC don't absorb water the same way.
Humid summers and shade
Decks under big trees or on the north side of a house stay damp and grow mildew. PVC and fully capped composite handle these spots best.
Snow and shoveling
Use a plastic shovel on composite and PVC, and calcium chloride ice melt rather than rock salt. Wood tolerates metal shovels but wears faster.
The frame matters most
Even a 50-year board fails on a rotting frame. We build to NJ code with proper footings, joist spacing and ledger flashing no matter which surface you choose.
Permits and inspections
Most NJ townships require a permit for a new deck. We handle the permit process and schedule inspections. Permit fees vary by township and are paid by the homeowner.
Keeping your existing frame
If your frame is solid and meets current code, resurfacing with composite can save a meaningful share of the cost of a full rebuild.
Decking material questions we hear most
What is the best decking material for New Jersey?
For most New Jersey homeowners who plan to stay 10 years or more, capped composite is the best overall value: it handles freeze–thaw winters and humid summers without staining and typically lasts 25+ years. Pressure-treated wood is the best choice on a tight budget, and PVC is best for pool decks and damp, shady yards.
Is composite decking worth the extra cost?
Usually, if you'll own the deck for 10 years or more. Composite costs more to install, but a wood deck needs cleaning and staining every 2–3 years and often new boards within 15–20 years. Over 15–20 years, total costs tend to get close, and composite requires far less of your time.
What's the difference between composite and PVC decking?
Composite boards are a mix of wood fibers and recycled plastic with a protective cap. PVC boards are 100% synthetic with no wood content. PVC resists moisture and mold slightly better and weighs less, while composite usually costs less and often feels more like real wood underfoot.
How long does a pressure-treated wood deck last in NJ?
Typically 10–20 years, and sometimes longer with good care. Regular cleaning and staining every 2–3 years, good drainage and airflow underneath are what separate a deck that lasts 10 years from one that lasts 20.
Does composite decking get hot in the sun?
It can. Composite and PVC boards get hotter than wood in direct summer sun, especially darker colors. Choosing a lighter color, or a line designed to stay cooler, makes a noticeable difference on decks with full afternoon sun.
Do composite decks still use wood framing?
Yes. Most composite and PVC decks are built on a pressure-treated wood frame. Composite boards often need closer joist spacing than wood, especially for diagonal patterns, so the frame is designed around the decking you choose.
Can I put composite boards on my existing deck frame?
Often, yes. If the frame, footings and ledger are sound and meet current code and the joist spacing works for composite, resurfacing is a cost-effective upgrade. We inspect the frame during your free estimate and tell you honestly whether it can be reused.
How much does a new deck cost in New Jersey?
It depends mainly on size, material, height, railings and stairs. As a rough guide, a 300 sq. ft. pressure-treated deck often runs in the low-to-mid teens, while the same deck in composite commonly lands in the high teens to mid twenties. Use the calculator above for your size, then book a free on-site estimate for an exact price.
Which is better, Trex or TimberTech?
Both are leading brands with strong warranties, and each offers good, better and best lines. Trex focuses on capped composite. TimberTech offers capped composite plus Advanced PVC (formerly Azek). Supreme Pro installs both, as well as Fiberon and Deckorators, so we can recommend the right line for your budget and yard.
How long does it take to build a new deck?
Most deck projects take 3–7 working days once construction starts, depending on size, design complexity, inspections and weather. We build year-round, and fall and winter often have faster scheduling.
Still deciding? See your deck before it's built.
Supreme Pro Decks has built custom decks across Bergen County and Northern NJ since 2013. We'll bring samples, look at your yard, and provide a free written estimate, with a 3D deck design for many projects.
Licensed and insured · Permits handled · Free on-site estimates
Last reviewed September 2026 by the Supreme Pro Decks team. Price ranges are estimates for planning only and are not a quote.
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