Imagine relaxing on your new backyard deck built with cheap materials—until you get a piece of splintered wood in your foot or trip over a board you could swear wasn’t warped yesterday. Tripping and safety hazards, hundreds of dollars in repairs and maintenance—these are the hidden costs of cheap decks.
There’s nothing wrong with getting a good deal. However, with some things, it’s wise to avoid basing what you buy solely on price. At first glance, cheap deck materials might seem like a smart decision. After all, why spend thousands more on premium materials when you can find cheap boards for sale at a local hardware store?
Here’s the truth: what you save upfront often quickly vanishes in repairs, replacements, and headaches. From warped boards to potentially pain-inducing splintered surfaces, cheap decking options often come with lots of hidden costs.
In this article, we’ll explore:
- Common kinds of cheap deck materials
- The problems caused by budget decking
- What contractors want you to know before you choose low-cost material
- Great deck materials that are high-quality and budget-friendly
What Are Examples of Cheap Deck Materials?
Before we delve into why to avoid cheap decking options, it’s important to learn what those are. The materials that typically fall under this umbrella include:
- Untreated Softwoods: Pine and fir are two wood types known for being highly susceptible to weather-related damage, rot, and insects.
- Low-grade Pressure-treated Lumber: Homeowners sometimes choose this option for its ability to resist decay. However, it’s prone to severe warping, splintering, and cracking when compared to high-end options.
- Basic Composite: Uncapped composite is a cheap deck material that’s notorious for fading faster and wearing down quicker than high-end composite materials.
- PVC Decking From Non-reputable Sources: Cheap PVC often comes with no warranties and can become brittle and discolored quickly.
These materials can cost 30% to 50% less upfront than premium options like hardwood, capped composite, or high-end PVC. However, as many homeowners soon discover, the performance gap between low and high-end materials can be staggering
The Problems Associated With Cheap Decking Options
Budget decking materials typically fall short in every category that matters. Below are some of the most common (and costly) problems associated with low-grade materials.
Warping, Cracking, and Splitting
Compared to high-quality wood, budget lumber is more prone to movement due to changes in heat and moisture (especially in climates known for being humid and hot). Making matters worse, this situation can happen in just a few seasons.
Untreated softwoods and low-grade lumber are significantly more vulnerable to warping, cracking, and splitting compared to their higher-grade counterparts. Some homeowners are amazed at how quickly heat and moisture begin wreaking havoc on cheap deck materials.
Extensive Maintenance Requirements
The weaker nature of low-quality woods often means they need a lot of TLC. Keeping them in good shape can require staining, painting, or sealing. Unfortunately, some people are so eager to get budget decking that they don’t factor in the additional time and financial costs of deck upkeep.
Mold and Rot
It’s tough to find two words homeowners fear more than “mold” and “rot.” However, those situations are often the reality for those who choose cheap deck materials. That’s because low-cost options typically lack proper sealing and have poor natural resistance to moisture.
Such an environment can quickly lead to fungal growth and wood decay. This situation can create two major problems. For one, rotting wood often leads to severe structural issues. Additionally, the presence of mold can affect air quality and lead to potential health concerns.
Faster Aging
A weathered and graying deck might sound rustic. However, cheap materials often go from ‘rustic’ to ‘ruined’ in just a few years. While higher-end materials are designed to resist UV damage and wear, cheap decking often lacks additional protective coatings or dense material composition.
What Leading Contractors Know About Cheap Deck Materials
You get what you pay for.
Keeping it simple and inexpensive might seem like a good idea, but nature doesn’t care how much you save. Cheap decking options aren’t necessarily cost-effective decking options! Inadequately treated materials are just prone to faster and more dramatic natural decay. And if those materials are improperly used and installed, you’re in for some costly problems.
The deck shown below was built without the proper hardware or professional engineering required, and the resulting collapse caused injury.
Components as small as the nails used in construction (galvanized nails should have been used here) can have a major impact on the structural integrity of a deck. The ways these cheap deck materials are used is also consequential. In this case, the wood was “face nailed” instead of “toe nailed,” leading to major weakness. Had this deck been built using the correct methods and quality materials, the collapse would never have occurred.
The who is just as important as the what.
The deck shown below was built with a sturdy composite material, but the contractor who performed the work was cheap and inexperienced. Almost immediately, imperfections and issues can be observed. Bowing and lifting of the planks create structural weakness and tripping hazards, while the steps cut awkwardly into the existing stone pathway.
Cheap deck builders are just as costly as cheap deck materials. Your contractors should be willing and able to blend your deck seamlessly with the surrounding features, use proven construction methods and high-quality tools and materials, and build a deck to last you decades.
What Quality Contractors Want You to Know
We’ve broken down what cheap deck materials are and the negative impact they can have on any build. Professional contractors for deck construction companies know all about the hidden costs of cheap decking options.
“Cheap pressure-treated boards start out really wet, but as they dry as part of the deck build, the material shrinks—much more than higher-quality pressure-treated materials—resulting in bigger gaps.”
“Knotty wood is a bad sign. Pressure-treated boards with large and frequent knots can end up with holes and bad separation, compromising both structural integrity and aesthetics.”
“A deck built with more expensive but higher-quality materials is an investment. You wouldn’t buy a beater car and expect it not to deteriorate significantly in 10 years or nickel and dime you, so you shouldn’t expect that for a bad deck, either.”
Time and again, they’ve seen homeowners lured in by false promises and rock-bottom prices, only to be hit with costly surprises months later.
No matter who we asked, it’s clear to see that contractors agree: when it comes to decking, cutting corners and using cheap deck materials almost always leads to headaches and regrets.
Budget Decking vs. Value Decking: A Cost Comparison Over Time
| Material Type | Average Lifespan | Cost for 350 sq. ft. deck |
|---|---|---|
| Low-grade pressure-treated | 8 to 12 years | ~$15,000 |
| High-quality wood (Ipe or similar density hardwood) | 40 Years | ~$35,000 |
| Capped composite (wood and plastic mix) | 25 to 50 Years | ~$20,000 |
| PVC Deck Boards | 50+ Years | ~$28,000 |
| Expenses | Low-End Materials | Mid-Level Materials | High-End Materials |
|---|---|---|---|
| Build Costs | $15,000 | $20,000 | $28,000 |
| Maintenance | $1,750 Yearly | 0 | 0 |
| Supplies | $250 Yearly | 0 | 0 |
| Total Costs (after 10 Years) | $35,000 | $20,000 | $28,000 |
Budget-Friendly and High-Quality Deck Materials
Instead of defaulting to the absolute cheapest deck materials, it’s better to balance cost with aesthetics, durability, and longevity. These aren’t cheap decking options—they’re cost-effective solutions.
- High-quality Wood: Redwood and cedar offer a natural resistance to pests and decay while also withstanding rot more easily compared to low-quality wood. They may carry a higher price tag. However, their longevity makes them a wise long-term investment.
- Mineral-based Composite: Known for its exceptional strength and stability, mineral-based composite decking is more resistant to moisture, impact, and heat than cheap deck materials.
- Wood and Plastic “Capped” Composite: High-quality capped composite blends the natural beauty of wood paired with plastic composite’s durability. Being resistant to fading, splintering, and warping, it’s a great low-maintenance solution.
- PVC Composite: Charlotte Deck Builders sources its PVC decking materials from reputable brands for a clean and modern deck that does well at withstanding harsh climates.
It’s tempting to go with the lowest prices when planning a deck build or renovation. True quality decking doesn’t have to cost a fortune, but it definitely won’t be found in cheap deck materials.
If you want a great-looking deck that doesn’t leave you with constant maintenance and upkeep, ditch cheap decking options and contact Charlotte Deck Builders. We specialize in custom luxury hardscaping. Trust our experienced and licensed team to bring your visions of the perfect deck to life.
The President of Charlotte Deck Builders
Diego Machado has always had a passion for creating beautiful and functional outdoor living spaces. As the president of Charlotte Deck Builders, Diego takes part in designing and constructing decks, porches, patios, pergolas, and more. Diego has successfully led his team of skilled and experienced contractors to complete numerous custom luxury hardscaping projects across North Carolina and South Carolina.
When he’s not helping to beautify local outdoor areas, Diego loves spending time with his cherished family and friends and exploring new destinations as an avid traveler.
