Wooden terraces cost less upfront but require regular maintenance, while composite decks have higher initial prices but near-zero ongoing costs. Over 10 years, total ownership costs often favor composite for busy homeowners valuing time over initial savings.
Initial Construction Costs (20 m² terrace)
| Cost Block | Wood (Mid-range larch/treated) | Composite (Premium capped) |
|---|---|---|
| Foundations | 450 EUR | 450 EUR |
| Substructure | 500 EUR | 500 EUR |
| Decking boards | 900 EUR (45 EUR/m²) | 1,400 EUR (70 EUR/m²) |
| Fasteners/Accessories | 200 EUR | 250 EUR |
| Labour | 900 EUR | 1,000 EUR |
| TOTAL Year 1 | 2,950 EUR | 3,600 EUR |
Upfront difference: Composite costs 650 EUR more (+22%) for materials and slightly higher install complexity.
Annual Maintenance Costs (Years 2-10)
| Maintenance Item | Wood Terrace | Composite Terrace |
|---|---|---|
| Cleaning | 50 EUR/year (pressure wash) | 20 EUR/year (hose) |
| Staining/Oiling | 150 EUR every 2 years (300 EUR/2yr) | 0 EUR |
| Repairs (splinters, loose boards) | 100 EUR every 3 years (300 EUR/3yr) | 0 EUR |
| Sealer refresh | 80 EUR every 3 years (240 EUR/3yr) | 0 EUR |
| YEARLY AVERAGE | 190 EUR | 20 EUR |
9-Year Maintenance Total: Wood = 1,710 EUR | Composite = 180 EUR
Savings with Composite: 1,530 EUR over 9 years
Repair & Replacement Timeline
| Issue | Wood Terrace | Composite Terrace |
|---|---|---|
| Splintering/Warping | Years 3-5 (200 EUR fix) | Never |
| Fading/Color Loss | Years 4-6 (stain refresh) | Minimal (5-10% over 10yr) |
| Mold/UV Damage | Years 5-7 (sand/refinish 400 EUR) | None |
| Full Replacement | Year 12-15 (2,500 EUR) | Year 25+ (none in 10yr period) |
Wood major repairs Years 2-10: ~800 EUR total
Composite major repairs: 0 EUR
10-Year Total Cost of Ownership
WOOD TERRACE (20 m²):
Year 1: 2,950 EUR construction
Years 2-10: 1,710 EUR maintenance + 800 EUR repairs
TOTAL 10 YRS: 5,460 EUR
AVG PER YEAR: 546 EUR
PER M²/YR: 27.3 EUR
COMPOSITE TERRACE (20 m²):
Year 1: 3,600 EUR construction
Years 2-10: 180 EUR maintenance + 0 EUR repairs
TOTAL 10 YRS: 3,780 EUR
AVG PER YEAR: 378 EUR
PER M²/YR: 18.9 EUR
Composite saves 1,680 EUR (31%) over 10 years vs mid-range wood. Breakeven happens around Year 4.
Time Cost Comparison (Your Hours Invested)
| Task | Wood (hours/year) | Composite (hours/year) | Hourly Value @15 EUR/hr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cleaning | 4 hrs | 1 hr | Wood: 45 EUR vs Comp: 11 EUR |
| Staining | 8 hrs every 2 yrs | 0 | Wood: 60 EUR extra |
| TOTAL TIME Years 2-10 | 200+ hours | 20 hours | Wood: 2,700 EUR time value |
Composite saves 180+ hours (2,700 EUR at 15 EUR/hr) over 10 years—equivalent to 22 full workdays.
Resale Value Impact (After 10 Years)
| Factor | Wood Terrace | Composite Terrace |
|---|---|---|
| Condition after 10 yrs | Weathered, needs work | Like new |
| Buyer Appeal | Traditionalists | Modern buyers |
| Price Uplift | +5-8% home value | +8-12% home value |
| 20m² Value Added | 5,000-8,000 EUR | 8,000-12,000 EUR |
Composite recovers 100%+ of original cost via resale; wood recovers ~60-80%.
When Wood Wins vs When Composite Wins
CHOOSE WOOD IF:
-
Budget <3,000 EUR total
-
Love natural wood grain/feel
-
Enjoy DIY maintenance
-
Traditional house style
-
Smaller terrace (<15 m²)
CHOOSE COMPOSITE IF:
-
Value time over money
-
Busy family/professional
-
Harsh climate (wet/snow)
-
Want warranty (25+ years)
-
Modern/minimalist aesthetic
Quick Decision Calculator
YOUR PRIORITY WEIGHTS (1-10):
Time Saved: __ x 200 EUR value
Low Maintenance: __ x 170 EUR savings
Resale Value: __ x 4,000 EUR uplift
Maintenance Enjoyment: __ x -170 EUR (wood penalty)
TOTAL SCORE: Composite wins if >0
Bottom Line: For 20 m² terraces, composite becomes cheaper after Year 4 and saves ~1,700 EUR + 180 hours over 10 years. Wood only makes sense for budget-first projects or wood enthusiasts.
