The material you build your deck from is the single biggest decision you will make. It sets the price, the look, how much weekend work you sign up for, and how many years the deck lasts. Get it right and you enjoy the deck. Get it wrong and you pay for it, either in dollars or in sanding and staining.
This buyer’s guide compares the three main decking material families, wood, composite, and plastic, plus a few alternatives, on cost, upkeep, looks, and lifespan. Then it gives you a simple way to choose the one that fits your home and budget.
We build decks across the Indianapolis area, so you will also see how central Indiana weather should weigh on your choice.
The Main Decking Materials at a Glance
Nearly every deck is built from one of three material families: wood, composite, or plastic. Each trades cost, upkeep, and lifespan differently. Here they are side by side. For a closer look at the individual board options within each family, see the deck board types in detail.
| Material | Installed cost per sq ft | Lifespan | Upkeep | Standout trait |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pressure-treated wood | $25 to $40 | 10 to 15 yrs | High | Cheapest to install |
| Cedar or redwood | $30 to $50 | 15 to 20 yrs | High | Natural beauty |
| Tropical hardwood (ipe) | $55 to $80+ | 40+ yrs | Medium | Longest-lasting wood |
| Composite | $35 to $70 | 25 to 30 yrs | Low | Low upkeep, wood-like |
| PVC or plastic | $55 to $80+ | 30+ yrs | Lowest | Most weatherproof |
Installed cost ranges based on 2026 national deck pricing data (Ergeon). Actual costs vary by market, deck size, and site conditions.
Wood Decking: Pros, Cons, and Cost
Wood is the classic and still the most common choice. It splits into three tiers. Pressure-treated pine is the cheapest decking you can buy and the reason many decks get built at all. Cedar and redwood cost more and bring a warmer, richer grain. Tropical hardwoods like ipe sit at the top, dense and beautiful enough to outlast the house.
- The upside. Real wood looks and feels natural, the entry price is the lowest of any material, and almost any builder can work with it.
- The downside. Wood needs regular cleaning and a fresh stain or seal every one to three years, or it cracks, warps, and grays. It can rot, splinter, and feed insects if it is neglected.
If you want the look of wood without the upkeep, the popular wood alternatives are composite, PVC, and aluminum, which trade the annual maintenance for a higher price up front.
Composite Decking: Pros, Cons, and Cost
Composite blends wood fibers with plastic to get the look of wood and the toughness of plastic. It is the fastest-growing choice for a reason: almost no maintenance. You never sand, stain, or seal it, and a good capped board lasts 25 to 30 years. The tradeoffs are a higher up-front price and a look that, while very close, is not quite natural wood. For the full picture, read a full breakdown of composite decking.
- The upside. Very low maintenance, a long lifespan, consistent color, and strong resistance to moisture, stains, and fading.
- The downside. Costs more than wood up front, and darker boards can get warm in direct sun.
Plastic, PVC, and Aluminum Decking
All-plastic decking skips the wood entirely. PVC, sometimes called cellular or polymer decking, is the lightest and most weatherproof option on the market. It shrugs off moisture, stains, and insects and can last 30 years or more, which is why it carries the highest price of the mainstream materials.
- The upside. The lowest maintenance of any material, top moisture resistance, and a very long life.
- The downside. The highest up-front cost, and older or cheaper boards can look less natural.
Aluminum decking is the durable outlier. It never rots, warps, or burns, stays cooler than you would expect, and can last decades, but it is a niche, premium product with a distinctly modern look. It is worth knowing about if maximum durability is your goal.
The Real Cost: Upfront vs. Over Time
The cheapest deck on day one is rarely the cheapest deck over its life. Wood wins the up-front price, but every stain, seal, and board repair adds to the total. Composite and PVC cost more to install and then cost almost nothing to keep. Over 10 to 15 years, the lines cross.
So the honest answer to “what is the cheapest decking material” depends on your timeline. If you will sell in a few years, pressure-treated wood keeps the most cash in your pocket. If this is your forever deck, a low-maintenance material often costs less in the long run and looks better doing it.
How Central Indiana’s Climate Affects Your Choice
Material choice is not just about taste here. Central Indiana runs through dozens of freeze and thaw cycles every winter, and water that soaks into a wood board, freezes, and expands is what splits and warps it. Because composite and PVC do not absorb water the same way, they hold up better through our winters. It is worth understanding how our freeze-thaw winters affect each material before you commit.
How to Choose the Right Decking Material
With the tradeoffs on the table, the easiest way to decide is to name your top priority and match it to the material that delivers it.
Most homeowners who want a good-looking deck rarely have to think about land on capped composite, which balances price, upkeep, and looks better than anything else. But there is no universal winner, only the right fit for your budget and your patience. A helpful last step is to preview each material in a design tool so you can see the colors on your actual layout before you buy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cheapest decking material?
Pressure-treated wood is the cheapest to install, usually about $25 to $40 per square foot. Keep in mind that its yearly upkeep adds to the cost over time, so it is cheapest up front, not always cheapest over the deck’s life.
What is the most durable decking material?
PVC and aluminum are the most durable mainstream options, often lasting 30 years or more with almost no upkeep. Among woods, tropical hardwoods like ipe are the longest-lasting.
What is the best low-maintenance decking?
Composite and PVC are the lowest-maintenance choices. Neither needs sanding, staining, or sealing. A wash once or twice a year keeps them looking new.
Wood or composite: which is better?
It depends on your priorities. Wood is cheaper up front and looks natural but needs regular upkeep. Composite costs more at first, then saves years of maintenance and lasts longer. For most homeowners who want low upkeep, composite is the better long-term value.
What is the best wood for a deck?
For budget, pressure-treated pine. For a warm natural look, cedar or redwood. For the longest life and the richest grain, a tropical hardwood like ipe, though it costs the most and is harder to work with.
Are there alternatives to wood decking?
Yes. Composite, PVC, and aluminum are the main wood alternatives. They cost more up front but trade the annual staining and sealing for very low maintenance and a longer lifespan.
Which lasts longer, composite or PVC?
PVC generally lasts a bit longer and resists moisture even better, since it contains no wood at all. Both far outlast a wood deck, and quality capped composite is close behind PVC.
The Bottom Line
There is no single best decking material, only the best fit for you. Wood wins on up-front cost and natural looks but asks for yearly work. Composite and PVC cost more at first, then mostly leave you alone and last for decades. Aluminum is the durable specialist. Name your top priority, weigh our freeze-thaw winters, and the right choice usually becomes clear.
The best next step is to see and feel a few boards in person and get a real quote for your yard, so you can compare the true cost, not just the sticker price.
Choose the material that fits how you actually want to live with your deck, and you will be happy with it for years.
If you want help weighing the options, Platinum Deck and Patio designs and builds decks across the Indianapolis area in every material, from budget-friendly pressure-treated wood to low-maintenance composite and PVC. Call us at (463) 466-5870 to talk through the best decking for your home and budget.