Deck total cost of ownership calculator

Total cost of ownership includes the upfront installed cost plus all maintenance (staining, sealing, cleaning), repairs, and any full replacement needed over the deck's life. For a 300 sqft pressure-treated deck over 25 years, TCO is typically $16,000-$22,000 including one replacement. A composite deck of the same size costs $18,000-$21,000 with almost no maintenance.

Yes, in most cases. Composite decking costs 30-50% more upfront but requires almost no maintenance. Over 15-25 years, composite typically breaks even with pressure-treated wood and becomes significantly cheaper over 25+ years when wood needs replacement.

Pressure-treated wood costs $1.50-2.50/sqft per year in maintenance (staining/sealing every 2-3 years). Cedar costs $1.00-2.00/sqft. Composite costs only $0.10-0.25/sqft (occasional cleaning). PVC costs $0.05-0.10/sqft.

For a typical 300 sqft deck, composite breaks even with pressure-treated wood around year 8-12, depending on material grades chosen and maintenance diligence. After the break-even point, composite saves $300-800 per year in maintenance costs and time.

Yes. If the time horizon exceeds a material's expected lifespan, a replacement cycle is added at 75% of the original install cost (assuming the substructure can be reused). This is a major hidden cost for wood decks, which typically need replacement at 15-20 years.

The summary cards include a "hidden cost" estimate that values maintenance hours at $50/hr. Pressure-treated wood requires 8-12 hours per year for staining, sealing, and repairs. Composite requires just 1-2 hours per year for cleaning. Over 25 years, that difference adds up to $7,500-$12,500 in time value.