Published May 15, 2026
Deck Cost in Minnesota — Composite vs. Cedar vs. PT Pine
A new deck in the Twin Cities runs $30 to $90 per square foot installed. A typical 300 sf backyard deck lands $11,000 to $24,000.
Per-square-foot pricing
| Material | $/sf installed | 300 sf deck | Lifespan in MN |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pressure-treated pine | $25 – $40 | $7,500 – $12,000 | 12–20 yr (with maintenance) |
| Cedar | $35 – $55 | $10,500 – $16,500 | 15–25 yr |
| Composite (Trex, TimberTech basic) | $45 – $70 | $13,500 – $21,000 | 25–30 yr |
| Premium composite (Trex Transcend, TimberTech AZEK) | $60 – $90 | $18,000 – $27,000 | 30+ yr |
| PVC / cellular | $65 – $95 | $19,500 – $28,500 | 30+ yr |
| Tropical hardwood (Ipe) | $70 – $110 | $21,000 – $33,000 | 40+ yr |
What's in the price
- Footings — concrete piers, 48 inches below grade (MN frost line). $150–$250 each. A 300 sf deck typically needs 9–12 footings.
- Framing — pressure-treated joists, beams, ledger board, hangers. $8–$12/sf.
- Decking boards — the visible surface. Big variable.
- Railings — $40–$120/linear foot. Aluminum/cable rails are 2–3x wood.
- Stairs — $150–$250/step.
- Permits — every Twin Cities city requires permit + inspection.
- Demo of old deck — $5–$10/sf.
Composite vs. wood: the honest comparison
Composite wins on:
- Maintenance — wash once a year, never stain or seal.
- Lifespan — 25–30 years with no rot, splinters, or warping.
- Color stability — modern capped composite holds color 10+ years.
- Heat — most lighter colors stay walkable in MN summers.
Wood wins on:
- Upfront cost — half the price.
- Look — natural cedar is genuinely beautiful for the first 5 years.
- Repairability — swap one rotted board for $4.
MN-specific composite notes:
- Snow shoveling — composite handles plastic shovels fine; metal shovels gouge. Calcium chloride ice melt is OK on Trex/TimberTech, not on PVC.
- Color choice — dark grey absorbs heat. In direct south-facing sun, surface temp can hit 140°F in July. Lighter colors are safer.
- Frost heave — proper 48-inch footings prevent it. Skipping depth = lifting deck after winter 1.
Big budget swings
- Multi-level deck — adds $15–$25/sf for the framing complexity.
- Hidden fasteners — clean look, +$3–$5/sf.
- Built-in seating / planters — $400–$1,500 per feature.
- Cable railing — $100–$180/linear ft (vs. $40 for wood pickets).
- Steel framing — $20–$30/sf premium; lasts 50+ years.
- Pergola — $3,000–$10,000.
- Lighting — $30–$80 per fixture installed.
Twin Cities permits & code
- Permit required in every Twin Cities city for any attached deck or any deck over 30 inches above grade.
- Inspections: footings (before pour), framing (before decking), final.
- Ledger board attachment to house must use through-bolts with flashing (no nails, no lag screws into rim joist alone since the 2004 IRC update).
- Railings required at 30 inches above grade, max 4-inch baluster spacing.
When to build
- Best months: May, June, September, October. Comfortable for crews; no permit backlog.
- Avoid: July (peak demand, +10–15% pricing); January–February (frost depth makes footings expensive).
- Lead time: 4–10 weeks from contract to start in peak season.
Saving money
- Stick to a rectangle — every angle/curve adds ~$5/sf.
- Single level — no step-downs.
- Wood with a plan — pressure-treated framing + cedar decking is 30% cheaper than full composite and lasts 18–22 years with annual stain.
- Build off-season — September–October installs run 10% under summer pricing.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a permit for a "ground-level" deck? If under 30 inches and freestanding, often no. If attached to the house, yes — even ground-level. Check your city.
How long does it take to build? 300 sf deck: 5–10 working days, weather-dependent.
Composite gets too hot in MN summers? Dark composite in full sun, yes. Light/medium colors and shaded decks are fine.
What about under-deck drainage? Worth it for second-story decks where you want dry storage below: $8–$15/sf for a system like Trex RainEscape.
Can I DIY? Framing and footings are intermediate-difficulty. The permit, inspections, and proper ledger flashing trip up most DIYers. If you'd never built a deck before, hire a pro for the framing, then optionally DIY the decking.
Ready to plan? Request a free in-home design consult — includes a 3D rendering at no cost.