| When it comes to outdoor decks, cheaper is not | | | | example, if a decking board is cut with the groove or |
| always better. Finding the best price for the materials | | | | slot that fits into another board with a tab, they are |
| that go into building a deck is not always easy. The | | | | each differently priced. The same is true for the |
| reason for this lies in the fact that there are so many | | | | material itself. Untreated wood is undoubtedly |
| different materials to choose from. Decking boards | | | | cheaper than wood that has been treated. When |
| prices directly reflect the material that they are made | | | | considering the price of a decking board itself, the |
| from. Some boards are constructed of composite | | | | accessories required must be included as well. |
| materials, while others contain elements of wood, | | | | Accessories such as brackets, screws, nails, brackets |
| vinyl, metal and plastic. However, the natural woods | | | | etc. the more hardware is needed to construct a |
| may still fare best in the end. | | | | deck, the more expensive it will be. |
| Companies that produce decking made of composite | | | | The typical price for a composite board is arrived at |
| materials often advertise maintenance-free decks for | | | | by length. The average price of a composite decking |
| reasonable price. For many consumers who have | | | | board is typically between $1.60 to $4.00 per foot. |
| installed composite decks, they have found them to | | | | Hardwood decking boards can be found as high as |
| be anything but maintenance-free. Recent problems | | | | $5.00 per foot. However, the prices tend to reflect |
| with fading, weakening and even breaking have | | | | the type of wood or material that is being sold. For |
| become abundant. Therefore, a reasonable price is | | | | those who are not comfortable installing their own |
| not always the best option. | | | | decks, contractors will charge a handsome fee for |
| Decking prices are often difficult to understand. Many | | | | labor. |
| of the boards are priced by size, shape and cut. For | | | | |