How much does it cost per square foot to install a Trex composite deck in Calgary compared to wood?

Trex composite decking costs $40-70 per square foot installed in Calgary, compared to $25-45 per square foot for pressure-treated wood and $35-55 per square foot for cedar. While composite has a higher upfront cost, it eliminates the ongoing staining and maintenance expenses that wood requires every 1-3 years in Calgary's harsh climate.

Material costs alone show the difference clearly. Trex decking materials run $10-18 per square foot, while pressure-treated lumber costs $3-6 per square foot and cedar runs $6-12 per square foot. However, labour costs are similar across all materials — the real difference comes in long-term maintenance requirements.

Calgary's extreme climate makes composite particularly cost-effective over time. Chinook winds create rapid freeze-thaw cycles that crack wood finishes and pop fasteners, while Calgary's intense UV at 1,045 metres elevation bleaches unprotected wood within one season. A cedar deck requires restaining every 1-2 years at $3-8 per square foot, while pressure-treated needs restaining every 2-3 years. Over 15 years, maintenance costs on a 300-square-foot wood deck can easily reach $3,000-$7,500, while Trex requires only occasional cleaning with soap and water.

Specific Calgary pricing examples for a typical 300-square-foot deck: pressure-treated runs $7,500-$13,500 installed, cedar costs $10,500-$16,500, and Trex ranges from $12,000-$21,000. Premium Trex lines like Transcend are at the upper end, while Select and Enhance fall in the middle range. When you factor in 15 years of wood maintenance costs, the total ownership cost often favours composite.

Additional Calgary considerations include hail resistance — Trex's density makes it more resistant to hail damage than cedar, which is important since Calgary is often called the hailstorm capital of Canada. Trex also handles Calgary's dry climate without the shrinkage and checking that affects wood decking, maintaining consistent board spacing and appearance year-round.

Installation timing affects costs since Calgary's deck building season runs May through October. Most contractors are fully booked by March or April, so planning ahead can help secure better pricing. Trex installation requires manufacturer-specified hidden fasteners or colour-matched screws, which adds $1-2 per square foot compared to standard wood screws, but creates a cleaner appearance with no visible fasteners.

Need help finding a deck builder experienced with composite installation? Calgary Deck Contractors can match you with contractors from the Calgary Construction Network who specialize in Trex and other premium composite brands.

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Looking for experienced contractors? The Calgary Construction Network connects homeowners with qualified professionals:

• Allure Residential & Commercial inc
• Alpine Exteriors siding and roofing
• Millennium Fence and Deck
• Bracha Concrete & Coatings Inc.
• BOND CONTRACTING & CONSTRUCTION INC