How long does a deck last?
Updated August 2026
A pressure-treated wood deck lasts 10–15 years, while a composite or PVC deck lasts 25–50 years. Cedar and redwood sit in between at 15–25. The gap is not really about the boards you walk on; it is about water. A deck that gets resealed on schedule and drains well can double the life of one left to soak up rain, and the part that usually decides the whole deck's fate is the framing underneath: the joists, the ledger bolted to the house, and the post bases sitting in wet soil.
Lifespan by type and situation
| Type or situation | Typical lifespan | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Pressure-treated pine | 10–15 years | The default budget build; lives or dies on resealing and drainage |
| Cedar or redwood | 15–25 years | Naturally rot-resistant, but still needs a finish to hold color |
| Composite / PVC | 25–50 years | The boards outlast the wood frame beneath them, which often fails first |
| Tropical hardwood (ipe) | 25–40 years | Very dense and durable; oil it or it silvers to gray |
| Framing left unsealed and wet | Cut to 8–10 years | Rot at the ledger and post bases ends decks early, not surface wear |
| Sealed every 2–3 years, dry framing | Top of the range | Water control is the single biggest lever on lifespan |
Signs yours is near the end
- Boards that feel spongy or flex underfoot, especially in the shaded spots near the house
- Gray, splintering, or cupping surface boards that no longer hold stain
- A railing that wobbles or a ledger board visibly pulling away from the wall
- Rusted, backing-out, or missing fasteners and corroded joist hangers
- Soft, dark, or crumbling wood where posts meet the ground or concrete
- A screwdriver that sinks easily into a joist, meaning rot has already started
How to add years
The wood decks that reach 20 years and the ones that rot at 10 differ by one habit: keeping water out of the wood. Resealing or staining every 2–3 years stops rain from soaking into the boards and freezing, which is what splits, cups, and grays them. What fails first is rarely the decking you see; it is the framing you do not, so checking the joists, ledger, and post bases once a year catches a soft spot or a loosening ledger long before it becomes a collapse. Sweep the gaps between boards clear of leaves and dirt so water drains instead of pooling. Skipping the sealing is the classic false economy: a $150 can of stain against a five-figure rebuild. The full routine lives on the deck maintenance checklist.
What it costs to replace: plan on $4,000–12,000 built (roughly $30–60 per square foot). Replacing on your own schedule, before it fails, is almost always cheaper than the emergency version. The home maintenance cost calculator helps you set the money aside before it comes due.
OnOtto tracks your deck sealings age and service history, and warns you before end of life instead of after the flood.
Track your home's systems, free for 30 daysFrequently asked questions
Can you refinish an old wood deck instead of replacing it?
Often yes, if the framing is sound. Surface boards that are gray, splintered, or faded can be sanded, cleaned, and resealed for a few hundred dollars in materials, buying several more years. What you cannot refinish away is rot: if the joists, ledger, or posts are soft, or if railings move when you push them, the deck needs structural repair no matter how good the top looks. Probe suspect wood with a screwdriver first. If it sinks in, budget for rebuilding, not refinishing.
How can I tell if my deck is still safe to stand on?
Check the connections and the wood. The ledger board, where the deck bolts to the house, causes most deck collapses, so look for rust, pulling, or lag bolts backing out. Bounce gently on the boards near the house and at the far corners; spongy flex means rotten joists. Push on the railings, since loose rails fail exactly when someone leans on them. Any deck over 10 years old that has never been inspected is worth a professional look, especially before a party puts a crowd on it.
Does a composite deck really last 25 years or more?
The composite boards themselves usually do, and most carry 25 to 50 year warranties against rot and fading. The catch is that many composite decks are built on a pressure-treated wood frame, and that frame still ages at 10 to 15 years if it stays wet. So a composite surface can outlive its own understructure. Keep the framing dry and ventilated and the whole deck reaches the boards' rated life; ignore it and you can end up rebuilding a frame under perfectly good decking.