Thinking about a new deck? Here's a detailed cost comparison of composite vs pressure-treated wood decking for Indiana homeowners — including upfront cost, maintenance, lifespan, and the 10-year total cost of ownership.
When Hamilton County homeowners ask us about building a new deck, the first question is almost always: composite or wood? The answer used to be simple — wood was cheaper, composite was a luxury upgrade. But the math has changed significantly, and for most Indiana homeowners, composite decking is now the smarter financial decision over any reasonable timeframe.
Pressure-treated wood decking costs roughly $15-$25 per square foot for materials, installed. Composite decking (brands like Trex, TimberTech, and Fiberon) costs roughly $30-$45 per square foot installed. On a typical 300-square-foot deck, that's roughly $4,500-$7,500 for wood versus $9,000-$13,500 for composite. Wood wins the upfront cost comparison by a wide margin.
But here's where the math changes. A wood deck requires annual maintenance: power washing ($150-$300), staining or sealing ($300-$600 for materials and a weekend of your time, or $600-$1,200 to hire it out), and eventually board replacement as individual boards warp, crack, or rot ($200-$500 per repair). Over 10 years, annual maintenance on a wood deck adds $5,000-$15,000 to the total cost of ownership.
A composite deck requires essentially zero maintenance. No staining. No sealing. No board replacement. An occasional wash with soap and water is all it needs. The 10-year maintenance cost is effectively $0. When you add the upfront cost plus 10 years of maintenance, a wood deck costs roughly $9,500-$22,500 total, while a composite deck costs roughly $9,000-$13,500 total. Composite wins the 10-year cost comparison — and the gap widens every year after.
Lifespan is the other major factor. Pressure-treated wood decks typically last 10-15 years before needing significant repair or replacement, assuming consistent maintenance. Composite decks last 25-30+ years with manufacturer warranties to match. If you plan to stay in your home for more than 5-7 years, composite pays for itself.
Indiana weather is particularly hard on wood decks. Our freeze-thaw cycles cause wood to expand and contract repeatedly, accelerating warping and cracking. Composite materials are engineered to handle these temperature swings without degradation. We've seen wood decks in Hamilton County need their first major repair within 3-4 years of installation when maintenance is skipped even one season.
Nearly all of our 2025-2026 deck builds in Fishers and Hamilton County have been composite. The homeowners who choose composite consistently tell us the same thing: they want to enjoy their outdoor space, not maintain it. That's hard to argue with.
Ready to plan your deck? HomeStar builds composite and wood decks throughout Hamilton County. Call (317) 279-4798 for a free estimate.
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