2026 Decking Guide for Rochester, NY Homeowners
Comparison of Composite vs. PT Decking
Published on LinkedIn by Matt Howland, Howland Home Services
Spring is finally here in Rochester — and that means homeowners across Monroe County are walking out into their backyards, squinting at their old decks, and asking the same question they ask every May: “Is it time to replace this thing?”
If the answer is yes, the next question almost always follows: “Should I go composite or stick with pressure-treated wood?”
It’s one of the most common conversations I have with homeowners this time of year. And right now in 2026, there’s an extra wrinkle: material costs are under real pressure. Section 232 tariffs have pushed Canadian lumber import rates to roughly 35.9%, and industry forecasts are pointing toward lumber prices climbing 6–8% by mid-year. Composite decking isn’t immune either — polymer and wood fiber inputs carry their own cost pressures.
The short version: prices are only going up. If you’re planning a deck this season, the time to lock in pricing is now. But which material should you lock in? Let’s break it down.
Upfront Cost: Pressure-Treated Wood Wins — For Now
There’s no getting around it: pressure-treated (PT) wood costs less upfront.
| Pressure-Treated Wood | Composite Decking | |
|---|---|---|
| Material cost (per sq ft) | $3–$6 | $5–$14 |
| Installed cost (per sq ft) | $15–$35 | $22–$60 |
| 300 sq ft deck (total) | $3,300–$6,000 | $4,200–$8,700 |
For a typical 300–400 square foot deck here in the Rochester area, you’re looking at roughly $1,500–$3,000 more out of pocket at the start with composite. That’s real money, and I don’t dismiss it.
But “upfront cost” is only half the story — and for most homeowners who plan to stay in their homes for more than a few years, it’s actually the less important half.
Long-Term Cost: Composite Wins Clearly
Here’s what most contractors don’t tell you: a pressure-treated wood deck is not cheap to own.
Wood requires regular maintenance to survive Rochester’s climate — freezing winters, wet springs, humid summers. Plan on:
- Staining or sealing every 2–3 years (~$300–$600 in materials and labor)
- Board replacement as sections warp, crack, or rot (typically needed by year 10–15)
- Periodic sanding before refinishing to maintain appearance
When you add it up over 25 years, the average wood deck owner spends approximately $2,875 in maintenance alone — and that’s a conservative estimate. Factor in board replacements, and the total cost of a wood deck often exceeds the composite alternative within 10–15 years.
Composite decking — from brands like Trex or TimberTech — needs almost nothing. A seasonal wash with soap and water is the full maintenance routine. No staining, no sealing, no board rot.
Durability and Lifespan in Upstate NY Conditions
This is where Rochester’s climate matters a lot.
Pressure-treated wood typically lasts 15–25 years with proper maintenance. In our freeze-thaw cycle, boards that aren’t maintained properly can start to show serious deterioration within 10 years — cupping, cracking, and nail pops are common complaints.
Composite decking is engineered specifically to resist moisture, mold, and UV degradation. Trex and TimberTech both carry 25–50 year warranties depending on the product line. Trex Transcend, for example, carries a 50-year fade and stain warranty. These products are built to handle exactly the conditions we see every year in Monroe County.
The bottom line: composite simply lasts longer with less work in our climate.
Appearance and Aesthetics
Modern composite decking has closed the gap dramatically on aesthetics. The grain textures and color options available today from Trex, TimberTech, and others look remarkably close to natural wood — and unlike real wood, that appearance doesn’t require refinishing every few years to maintain.
PT wood has a classic look when freshly stained, but within 2–3 seasons, weathering begins to show. If curb appeal and resale value matter to you (and in today’s Rochester housing market, they should), composite holds its appearance far better over time.
Environmental Considerations
Both materials have tradeoffs. Composite decking is often made with recycled materials — Trex, for instance, manufactures its boards using approximately 95% recycled content, including reclaimed wood and plastic film. That’s a meaningful sustainability argument.
Pressure-treated wood, on the other hand, is a natural material — but the preservative treatments used to protect it from rot and insects involve chemicals that some homeowners prefer to avoid. Modern PT lumber uses copper-based preservatives (replacing the arsenic-based treatments of the past), which are generally considered safe when handled properly.
Which Material Is Right for You?
Here’s my honest contractor’s answer:
Choose pressure-treated wood if:
- Budget is the primary driver and you’re working with limited funds right now
- You’re planning to sell the home within 3–5 years
- You enjoy hands-on maintenance and don’t mind the annual upkeep
Choose composite if:
- You plan to stay in your home for 10+ years
- You want a low-maintenance outdoor space you can actually enjoy
- Aesthetics and long-term resale value are priorities
- You want to build once and not worry about it for decades
For most of our clients in Rochester who are staying put and want a deck they can be proud of, composite is the better investment. The higher upfront cost pays for itself — and then some — over the life of the deck.
A Note on 2026 Pricing
Given current tariff conditions and anticipated lumber price increases through Q2–Q3 this year, I always recommend getting estimates locked in early in the season. Whether you go with PT wood or composite, waiting until July could mean paying meaningfully more for the same project. If a deck is on your to-do list this year, the time to act is now.
Ready to Build in Rochester?
If you’re planning a deck project in Monroe County or the greater Rochester area, Howland Home Services builds both pressure-treated and composite decks and will give you a straight answer on which option makes the most sense for your home, your budget, and how long you plan to stay.
Give us a call at 585.204.7290 or visit us at howlandhomeservices.com to get started.
Matt Howland is the owner of Howland Home Services, a full-service remodeling contractor serving the greater Rochester, NY area.
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