Hardwood vs Composite Decking — The Real Lifecycle Cost
Composite decking (Trex, TimberTech, Fiberon) is sold on the promise of 'zero maintenance' at lower upfront cost than hardwood. The promise has problems. Here's a real lifecycle cost comparison for a 500 square foot deck in Los Angeles, including what the brochures don't tell you.
Written by
Israel Acquino — Founder & General Contractor · CSLB #964664
Year-zero install cost
500 sq ft Ipe deck, fully installed: $52,500 (avg $105/sq ft). 500 sq ft Cumaru deck: $43,500 ($87/sq ft). 500 sq ft mid-tier composite (Trex Enhance): $28,500 ($57/sq ft). 500 sq ft premium composite (TimberTech Azek): $40,000 ($80/sq ft). The composite advantage on day one looks like $9,000–$24,000 in savings. That's the whole pitch.
What the composite warranties actually cover
Most composite manufacturers offer 25-year limited fade-and-stain warranties that explicitly exclude: structural failure, board warping in heat above 120°F (LA's south-facing decks regularly hit 130°F surface temperature in summer), hardware failure, fading beyond a 'permitted' threshold (usually 7 Delta E units, which is visibly significant), and surface damage from anything other than gentle washing. Read the warranty language — what they cover is much narrower than 'lifetime' suggests.
Year 5–10 reality for composite
By year 5, most composite decks in LA show some combination of: visible fading (especially on south-facing exposures), warped boards on the hottest portions, mold patches in shaded areas, and surface scratches that don't sand out (composite can't be refinished). By year 10, it's common to need partial board replacement at $15–$25 per square foot for materials and labor. By year 15, most LA composite decks need significant repair or replacement. Lifecycle cost approaches or exceeds Ipe over a 20-year horizon.
Hardwood maintenance reality
Cumaru and Ipe maintenance: optional oiling every 18–36 months for $0.40–$0.85 per square foot when DIY, or $1.10–$1.85 when contracted. Many of our clients leave Ipe unsealed entirely — it weathers to silver-grey, the wood remains structurally sound, and the only 'maintenance' is occasional light cleaning. Over 20 years on a 500 sq ft deck, total maintenance cost: $0–$3,800 depending on how often the homeowner chooses to oil.
20-year total cost: the math
Ipe: $52,500 install + $0–$3,800 maintenance = $52,500–$56,300. Cumaru: $43,500 install + $0–$3,800 maintenance + likely refinish at year 15 ($2,500) = $46,000–$49,800. Mid-tier composite: $28,500 install + $4,500 partial board replacement at year 12 + likely full deck replacement at year 18 ($25,000) = $58,000+. Premium composite: $40,000 install + $5,000–$8,000 in board-replacement work over 20 years = $45,000–$48,000. The numbers are surprisingly close on the premium tier; hardwood wins outright on the mid-tier comparison.
Questions homeowners ask