Composite vs. Wood Decking: Which Is Right for Your Home?
Composite decking costs more up front. But it needs almost no upkeep. It handles salt air and wet winters with very little care. Pressure-treated wood costs less to install. But it needs regular sealing to hold up on the South Shore. Either way, a well-built frame decides how long your deck lasts, not just the surface material.
How much more does composite decking cost than wood?
As of 2026, a pressure-treated wood deck on the South Shore runs $30 to $50 per square foot installed. That is about $6,000 to $10,000 for a standard 200 square foot deck. Composite decking runs $50 to $80 per square foot installed. That is $10,000 to $16,000 for the same size deck.
| Material | Cost per sq ft (installed) | 200 sq ft deck |
|---|---|---|
| Pressure-treated wood | $30-$50 | $6,000-$10,000 |
| Composite | $50-$80 | $10,000-$16,000 |
South Shore market ranges as of 2026, from Walbridge Construction's own published deck cost guide. Your actual project cost depends on size, height, and site conditions.
Composite costs more to build. But the gap shrinks over time. You are not paying for stain, sealant, or new boards every few years.
Why does salt air and snow wear down a deck faster on the South Shore?
Hull and the South Shore sit on an exposed coastline. Climate data from Boston Logan, the nearest major weather station, shows 43.8 inches of snow in a normal year. That snow comes with open-ocean wind and salt spray on both sides of the peninsula. Salt air speeds up rust on fasteners and cracking in wood. Any gap in a wood deck's finish lets freeze and thaw cycles get in and do damage.
That means wood decking on the South Shore needs sealing more often than the same board would need farther inland. Composite decking does not soak up moisture or salt the same way. That is the real reason the upkeep gap between the two materials is bigger here than in a drier, inland town.
How much upkeep does each material really need?
A pressure-treated wood deck needs regular sealing. This keeps salt air and coastal moisture from breaking down the wood. Skip a season and you will see cracking, graying, and soft spots. A composite deck just needs a wash now and then. That low upkeep is why it can last decades on the coast.
Trex, a company that makes composite decking, publishes its own wood-vs-composite comparison. It states that a wood deck typically lasts around 20 years with steady upkeep, and less than that with neglect. Some composite product lines, Trex states, are built to last up to 50 years. Trex also states wood upkeep can run up to $400 a year in stain and sealant, versus about $10 a year for composite. That is a manufacturer's own comparison, not an independent study. But it matches what we see on real coastal decks: wood asks for real yearly work, composite does not.
Request a free deck estimate and we will walk you through what each material really costs to own over time, not just to build.
Do you need a permit for a wood or composite deck?
Yes, either way. The Town of Hull runs its own Building Department. It enforces the Massachusetts State Building Code, known as 780 CMR, and Hull's local zoning rules. Most new decks need a permit no matter what material you pick. The permit covers the structure underneath: footing depth, framing, and how the ledger board attaches to your house. It does not depend on the surface material.
Michael Walbridge holds a Massachusetts Unrestricted Construction Supervisor License. He is also a registered Home Improvement Contractor. He pulls the permit and books the inspection himself. Choosing wood or composite does not add an extra permit step.
Which one is the better fit for your home?
Do you want the lowest cost to build? Are you fine sealing the deck every year or two? Then pressure-treated wood is the practical pick. Do you want to build once and spend your summers using the deck, not maintaining it? Then composite is worth the higher up-front cost, especially this close to the ocean.
There is no wrong answer here. Both materials, built right, give you years of solid use on the South Shore. The real risk is a deck that is not framed or flashed well, no matter which material sits on top.
Walbridge Construction is a veteran-owned, family-run general contractor based in Hull. Michael has more than 20 years of hands-on building experience. We design and build custom decks in both materials. We set the footings below the frost line and flash every ledger board to keep water out of your home, whichever material you choose. See our South Shore deck cost guide for a full cost breakdown. Or read more about decks we build in Hull and the South Shore.
Get a free estimate from Walbridge Construction. We will help you pick the right material for your budget and your home.
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FAQ
Related questions
Does composite decking get hot in the sun?
It can. That is a real tradeoff worth asking about when you get your estimate, since it is one factor to weigh against the low upkeep.
Can you mix wood framing with composite decking boards?
Yes. Most decks, including composite ones, are built on a pressure-treated wood frame. Walbridge Construction sets the frame and footings the same way for both materials, then finishes the top with the decking you choose.
How long is a composite decking warranty?
It depends on the product line. Trex, one composite decking manufacturer, publishes warranty terms ranging from 25 years on its base line up to 50 years on its top line. Ask about the specific warranty on whatever product you choose.