Per-sq-ft numbers fly around online—yet the totals change once clips, trims, rails, pedestals and labor show up.
Is your “price per foot” just the board, or the deck?
Composite Decking Cost per Square Foot: Real Quotes, Add-Ons & What People Forget
What Actually Drives $/ft²
Board & Finish
- Profile (solid/hollow), thickness and span rating.
- Cap chemistry (e.g., ASA) and matte open-grain textures vs glossy emboss.
- Color temperature—lighter tones often run cooler and look cleaner longer.
See finishes: Ecosolid Decking.
Add-Ons People Miss
- Hidden clips (standard, starter/end, locking) & stainless screws.
- Picture frame, bullnose, fascia—clean edges aren’t free.
- Subframe (timber or aluminum rails), pedestals on roofs, access to drains.
Gallery for edges & trims: Project Gallery.
“Board-only” vs “installed deck” can double the per-ft² number. Which quote are you comparing?
Indicative Per-Square-Foot Buckets (board-only → installed)
| Bucket | What’s in it | Why it moves |
|---|---|---|
| Board-only | Just the decking boards by area. | Profile, cap, texture, and color. |
| Board + clips/trim | Hidden clips, stainless screws, picture frame/fascia. | Perimeter length, stairs, borders, bullnose choices. |
| + Subframe/pedestals | Joists/rails and adjustable pedestals (roofs/balconies). | Span, pattern (diagonal needs tighter centers), drain access. |
| Installed | Everything above + labor, logistics, waste, compliance. | Access (lifts), weather delays, cut complexity, wind restraint. |
Why lifecycle matters more than sticker price: life-cycle cost.
Quick Per-Sq-Ft Estimator (rough planning)
Indicative only—confirm local rates and build-up. Diagonals, stairs, wind restraint, and roof access change numbers.
Hidden Multipliers (that ruin tidy quotes)
- Pattern: diagonal/herringbone needs tighter centers & more cuts—did anyone price the blocking?
- Perimeter: borders/picture frames add trims and time—worth it for the look?
- Rooftops: pedestals, rails, lift logistics, drainage access—who owns delays after storms?
- Maintenance: neutral-pH cleaning keeps slip and appearance stable; who’s doing it, how often?
Care patterns that work: FAQ · Maintenance guides.
FAQ (what people almost ask)
Why is my “per-ft²” higher than the ad?
Ads often show board-only. Your project includes clips, trims, subframe, logistics and labor.
Do lighter colors really pay back?
Cooler under sun and show fewer films—fewer complaints and extra cleans in hot sites.
Is aluminum subframe mandatory?
No, but on roofs/balconies it usually speeds install, protects membranes and keeps drains open.
