Why is the Return on Investment of a Composite Deck Lower than Wood?

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Composite decks come in at 77%, slightly lower than wood…but why?

As you may recall from previous blog posts, the average return on investment (ROI) of a wood deck in Maryland is 83.3%, which is 3% higher than the national average, according to Remodeling Magazine’s annual Cost vs. Value Report 2015. Composite decks, meanwhile, come in a little lower at 77%, which is still significantly higher than the national average – 68%. But why the huge difference in ROI, when many people praise the benefits of composite decks? Well, let’s take a look

The Reason behind the Lower ROI of Composite Decks

With ROI, it all comes down to money. While both a composite deck and a wood deck will boost your home value roughly the same amount, composite decking is initially more expensive. Therefore, you can expect to recoup less of the cost of the project when you finally sell your home. But before you write off composite decking as a bad investment, take a deep breath and let’s look at this situation a little more closely.

In order to truly understand the value of a composite deck we must look at the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO), not ROI. TCO is a financial estimate intended to help homeowners determine the direct and indirect costs of a product or system over its entire life. So while ROI simply takes into account initial cost and sales cost – profitability – TCO looks at maintenance and other such costs to give you a better understanding of your total investment.

When looking at TCO, composite decking is much more comparable to wood decking for two big reasons: durability and maintenance.

Durability: A wooden deck has an average lifespan of 10-15 years (if you perform regular maintenance). A composite deck can easily last 25 years or more!
Maintenance: Composite decks require very little maintenance. Period. While composite decks may initially cost more, they can save you a lot of time and money in terms of annual maintenance. Wood decks, meanwhile, require annual staining and waterproofing, which can add up over time.

Composite Deck Specialists in Frederick, Maryland

Albaugh & Sons is a Home Improvement Contractor located in Frederick, specializing in maintenance free composite decking, including Trex, Timber Tech, and Azek. We have more than 10 years of experience in the deck-building field, so we can easily build whatever deck you can dream up. Our deck division is made up of experienced, personable employees who pride themselves on being professional and dedicated to completing every job the right way.

Click Here for a FREE Estimate

The estimate you receive for your deck is not only competitive; it is extremely accurate.

If you are looking for a Professional Wood Deck Builder in Frederick, Maryland, you’ve come to the right place! Please contact Albaugh & Sons at 301-964-9379. We are based in Frederick, Maryland and service all of Frederick County and parts of Washington and Carroll counties.

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Customer Testimonials

We could talk all day about the happy homeowners we’ve provided additions and renovations for, but the real measure of merit lies in customer reviews. See what people are saying about Albaugh & Sons.

Albaugh & Sons

4.8

Based on 229 reviews

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Bonnie

21:41 27 Nov 24

I just want to say this company is the Best.. did my fence and my screened in porch. The guys are professional and just a delight to deal with.. customer service is important.. their prices are reasonable.. I would never use anyone but them.. they do it All too..

Alexander S.

16:32 22 Nov 24

We could not be more pleased with the entire process and outcome of our experience with Albaugh & Sons. From the timely turnaround on coming out to give us an estimate, to the flexibility on adjusting our proposal, and to the quick and professional installation itself. I would highly recommend Albaugh & Sons to anyone in their area of serviceability.

Abby G.

14:50 04 Nov 24

So great to work with. Have had the pleasure of working with both sons who were knowledgeable and courteous. The entire process was easy from estimate to completion of my new deck. Both arrived on time, had my estimate for both deck and basement remodel in a couple of days. Danny, the project manager arrived on time and explained the plans, the work crew were amazing. Old deck demolished and beautiful new composite in its place in less than 2 days. Tiffany, the office manager is prompt in responding to all emails with courteous knowledgeable answers. They make you feel like you are their only customer. Look forward to working with them for my basement remodel. I 100% recommend this company.

James L.

13:49 10 Oct 24

We love our new fence. Thanks Emily and George for everything. Excellent communication, timeliness and excellent workmanship. We highly recommend Albaugh and Sons.

John K.

13:19 31 Aug 24

I had a beautiful deck built almost 2 years ago. I called yesterday about a few items that have come apart such as the pvc outside corners on the rim/ band board etc. The company was very responsive and ready and eager to help. Because of this, they have made a customer for life! Not only will you get an amazing product, but it appears you get a lifetime of amazing customer service!! 100 out of 5 stars!

Van Lavoy J.

17:06 01 Apr 24

We needed a fence as fast as possible for 5 rescue dogs that we took on. Albaugh and Sons was able to provide a great quote and a speedy installation. My wife and I love the new fence. It has literally improved our day to day lives by being able to let the dogs run free in the back. The materials were perfect and high quality. I would definitely recommend them to friends and family.

Bill D.

20:50 24 Mar 24

I hired Albaugh and Sons to tear out our old deck and replace it with a new composite deck/ screened porch. The front office was a pleasure to deal with and kept my wife and I informed on everything. The crew did an amazing job every step of the way. I was especially impressed with their finish work. The attention to detail was impressive! What I also liked Albaugh and Sons is they had a project manager (Danny) who would occasionally pop over and answer questions and would also keep me updated on progress. I would highly recommend hiring Albaugh and Sons for any of your fence/ deck / home improvement needs.

Joseph D.

15:39 04 Oct 23

We are very pleased with the work done by Albaugh and sons. We had them replace our side porch and they did excellent work and built it to our request. Also had them install a three tier rail fence around our property. It is excellent and looks great. We thank Danny and his deck crew and George and his fence crew for their excellent work. I recommend them for any projects you need done. Thank you very much!!