Many homeowners are looking into additions to their homes to not only increase their living space, but also increase the resale value of their house. The most popular extension is a backyard deck or patio. While it may be the easiest addition to any house, many homeowners over look the cost of a deck. Before starting your DIY deck building project, make sure to look into the price of the construction. The cost to build a deck will depend on the size, the materials used, and the overall design of the deck and fence.
You can construct your deck out of a variety of different decking materials including wood and composite material. Timber decking, or natural wood, is a popular material because of the style it evokes. Wood has a natural look to it and the texture and feel of it is soothing and homey. While most woods are durable, wood deck pricing is often relatively high because of the amount of maintenance it requires. Timber decking prices can spend anywhere between $4,000-10,000 for a 400 square foot deck depending on the type of wood you use. The cheapest deck wood prices will be from pressure treated woods. These woods are treated with chemicals to prevent damage and decay and will cost about $4,000 dollars for a 400 square foot deck.
If you are looking for a little more durable natural wood, consider cedar wood decking. Cedar decking prices will be a little higher than pressure treated wood, ranging between $7,000-8000, however this type of wood is naturally durable and damage resistant. Again, cedar does have its downsides in that it does require a bit of maintenance and will require refinishing in a few years to a few decades. If you are looking for a type of wood that will last you a lifetime you should consider IPE decking. IPE decking prices will be in the $9,000 range for a 400 square foot deck. IPE lumber is a type of tropical hardwood made of Brazilian walnut.
Teak lumber is often used for outdoor furniture because it is very durable and weather resistant and can also be used for decking. Teak decking prices are about the same as IPE however teak is not as readily available and is also harder to work with. Composite decking, which is a combination of plastic and wood fiber, is a long lasting and cheaper alternative to any natural wood. Composite decking price will be around $4,000 as well for a 400 square foot deck. Also remember that you may have to include design accessories such as railings and stairs. Include deck railing prices in your estimates before beginning to build. How much does it cost to build a deck also depends on the size. Deck designs range from small to grandeur. Small deck ideas are usually less than 200 square feet in size, so if you are planning on building larger you should plan on spending more money.
The average deck size is usually about 400 square feet, while more upscale decks with be larger. The best way to determine the price will be estimating decking materials based on the size of your desired deck. In order to determine your decking prices, visit your local home improvement store and ask about the price of the material you would like to use. One of the will provide you with a deck price estimator that will help you with the cost based on the size. You can receive addition price help with any online decking calculator. A deck cost calculator will help you determine the price of your materials and construction through the comforts of your own home. Not only is an online deck pricing calculator quick and convenient, but it can also quickly estimate your cost so you can determine if your can afford the remodeling right away.
This article discusses how much will it cost to build a deck based on your design and the things you should look for to construct a deck at a reasonable price. The cost of decks largely depends on the type of material you decide to use. Although these deck lumber prices are initially low, they do not last very long and require a lot of maintenance, which can be costly. It is the most durable type of natural wood and is used to build boardwalks, docks, and decks. While this may seem pricey, the durability and longevity of IPE wood makes up for the cost. A tropical wood alternative to IPE lumber is teak wood.
