One of the reasons that a deck is such a good investment is because it increases living area at a minimal cost per square foot. The national average for new construction costs of a two-story, 2,000-square-foot home is about $85 per square foot, according to the National Association of Home Builders. However, the construction costs for a wood deck are less than $35 per square foot.

The return on your deck investment will vary according to the region in which you live. In the Pacific West, where construction costs are generally higher than other parts of the country, decks are more expensive to build. However, the return on investment is also higher than other regions. Part of the reason can be attributed to the fact that in many areas of the temperate Pacific West, the outdoor living season is virtually year-round, making a deck a solid investment.

National average cost, 16-foot-by-20-foot deck, pressure-treated wood:

Job Cost: $10,048
Resale Value: $8,085
Cost recoup: 80.5%

National average cost, 16-foot-by-20-foot deck, composite decking:

Job Cost: $15,912
Resale Value: $10,816
Cost recoup: 68%

This article was originally published on HouseLogic.com. Learn more about the services of Bristol Decking Solutions on our homepage.