Comparing prices for a 6-inch-wide-by-16-foot-long piece of decking material at lowes.com and Ipedepot.com shows these price ranges for popular options:
Pressure-treated pine: $9.27-$13.27
Composite: $28-$69.66
Cedar: $68.96
Ipe: $79.36-$85.76
Different material choices require different fasteners and support systems, which can also add to the cost. For example, composites require shorter spans (the distance between joists) to prevent the material from sagging. Shorter spans means that in addition to extra joists, the builder also has to buy more fasteners. Each material, as well as different grades and brands, has a recommended span. Decorative considerations, such as placing boards on the diagonal, also affect the recommended span.
-- Nathania Sawyer
HomeStyle on 06/07/2014