Decking · 3 materials · 25 cities

How long does a deck last?

It depends on the material first and the climate second. A composite deck typically lasts 25–30 years; A cedar deck typically lasts 15–20 years; A pressure-treated deck typically lasts 10–15 years. Across the 25 US cities we model, the same deck can gain or lose several years depending on rain, sun and freeze–thaw.

Simulated composite deck in Seattle, WA after 10 years
Year 10Slight early fade
MODEL SIMULATION
Seattle, WA · capped composite boards, south-facing, full sun
Color lossModerate
Surface wearMinimal
Mildew / rotModerate
Fails first hereShaded boards (surface mildew)

By material

Deck lifespan by material

Composite deck after 10 years in Seattle (simulation)
Composite deck
25–30 yrs typical · median 27 yrs
Shortest: Phoenix, AZ (22–28) · longest: Boston, MA (25–32)
How long does a composite deck last? →
Cedar deck after 10 years in Seattle (simulation)
Cedar deck
15–20 yrs typical · median 17 yrs
Shortest: Mobile, AL (9–12) · longest: Las Vegas, NV (19–25)
How long does a cedar deck last? →
Pressure-treated deck after 10 years in Seattle (simulation)
Pressure-treated deck
10–15 yrs typical · median 13 yrs
Shortest: Albuquerque, NM (9–12) · longest: Las Vegas, NV (12–15)
How long does a pressure-treated deck last? →

Every city

Expected life by city

CityComposite deckCedar deckPressure-treated deck
Albuquerque, NM22–2916–209–12
Atlanta, GA24–3112–159–12
Austin, TX22–2914–1910–13
Boston, MA25–3215–1911–14
Buffalo, NY25–3314–1811–14
Charleston, SC24–3113–1610–13
Chicago, IL25–3214–1811–14
Dallas, TX23–3015–1911–14
Denver, CO23–3014–199–11
Houston, TX23–3012–1510–13
Las Vegas, NV22–2919–2512–15
Los Angeles, CA23–3018–2412–15
Miami, FL22–299–129–11
Minneapolis, MN25–3215–1911–14
Mobile, AL23–309–129–11
Nashville, TN24–3112–1610–13
New Orleans, LA23–2910–139–12
New York, NY25–3214–1811–14
Phoenix, AZ22–2818–2411–15
Portland, OR25–3215–1911–15
Salt Lake City, UT23–3016–2110–13
San Diego, CA24–3118–2412–15
San Francisco, CA24–3117–2212–15
Seattle, WA25–3315–1912–15
Tampa, FL22–2910–139–11

Years. Wood left unsealed; synthetic materials washed yearly. Methodology.

Common questions

How long does a deck last?

It depends on the material first and the climate second. A composite deck typically lasts 25–30 years; A cedar deck typically lasts 15–20 years; A pressure-treated deck typically lasts 10–15 years. Across the 25 US cities we model, the same deck can gain or lose several years depending on rain, sun and freeze–thaw.

How long does a composite deck last?

Typically 25–30 years. In our model it ranges from 22–28 years in Phoenix, AZ to 25–32 years in Boston, MA.

How long does a cedar deck last?

Typically 15–20 years. In our model it ranges from 9–12 years in Mobile, AL to 19–25 years in Las Vegas, NV when left untreated.

How long does a pressure-treated deck last?

Typically 10–15 years. In our model it ranges from 9–12 years in Albuquerque, NM to 12–15 years in Las Vegas, NV when left unsealed.

Which deck material lasts the longest?

Composite deck, with a median of about 27 years across our cities, versus 17 for cedar deck and 13 for pressure-treated deck.

Compare

Composite vs wood deck →Cedar vs pressure-treated deck →