Accoya typically costs about $10-$20 per square foot for decking or exterior cladding boards, before installation; a finished project commonly runs $30-$65 per square foot. Board profile, thickness, waste, labor, site access, and local rates drive the final quote, so the price depends on the application as much as the wood itself.
| Item | Low | Average | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accoya boards, material only | $10/sq ft | $15/sq ft | $20/sq ft | Common decking or cladding profiles |
| Accoya deck, installed | $30/sq ft | $45/sq ft | $65/sq ft | Boards, fastening, and standard labor |
| Accoya cladding, installed | $25/sq ft | $40/sq ft | $60/sq ft | Excludes major wall repair or complex trim |
| Accoya lumber by board foot | $8 | $12 | $16 | Species grade, dimensions, and supplier affect price |
Assumptions: U.S. retail pricing, standard-grade boards, ordinary access, and a typical residential project; regional quotes vary.
What Accoya decking and cladding usually cost
For a standard outdoor project, Accoya boards generally cost $10-$20 per square foot for material alone. Installed decking often totals $30-$65 per square foot, while straightforward cladding commonly falls around $25-$60 per square foot. These installed ranges assume a prepared, reasonably level surface or sound wall, standard board layouts, and no major structural repairs.
A 200-square-foot deck using Accoya may cost roughly $6,000-$13,000 installed. A 500-square-foot cladding job may land around $12,500-$30,000, depending on trim, access, fastening details, and labor. Those totals are planning ranges, not fixed national rates.
Accoya is acetylated wood made from sustainably sourced timber, and its price reflects the modification process, limited supplier availability, and demand for dimensionally stable exterior wood. Buyers may see different prices for decking boards, siding profiles, and larger or custom-milled stock. A quote should identify board dimensions and whether it includes finishing.
Retailers may quote lumber by board foot, linear foot, or piece rather than by square foot. For a nominal 1-inch-thick board, one board foot covers approximately one square foot before accounting for gaps, actual dimensions, and waste. Decking coverage is lower than the board’s face width because boards have spacing between them.
How boards, fasteners, and labor shape the quote
Accoya’s board price is only one part of a finished project. The estimate may also include substructure, clips or screws, surface preparation, delivery, edge trim, finishing, and disposal of old material. Clarify whether the contractor is pricing only the visible boards or the entire assembly.
| Quote item | Typical price | What changes the charge | Pricing basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accoya boards | $10-$20 | Profile, thickness, grade, supplier | Per sq ft of coverage |
| Labor | $12-$30 | Layout, cuts, access, local wages | Per sq ft installed |
| Fasteners and clips | $2-$6 | Hidden systems, corrosion resistance | Per sq ft |
| Substructure or furring | $4-$15 | Replacement, spacing, material choice | Per sq ft |
| Removal and disposal | $2-$8 | Existing material and haul distance | Per sq ft |
| Finishing and trim | $2-$10 | Coating system and detailing | Per sq ft or project |
Labor and a sound supporting structure can add as much to the bill as the boards. Deck quotes may include joists and framing, while siding quotes may include furring strips, weather barrier adjustments, or corner trim. Request separate line items so a low material price does not obscure missing installation work.
Labor commonly represents $12-$30 per square foot for standard installation, but detailed layouts can exceed that range. A basic labor estimate can be checked with . For example, a two-person crew working 20-30 hours at a combined $100-$160 per crew-hour would charge about $2,000-$4,800 before materials and other project expenses.
Why board width, thickness, and layout change price
Board dimensions affect both the material quantity and the labor needed to install it. Wider boards cover more area with fewer fasteners and cuts, but may cost more per board. Thicker stock and custom profiles also raise the material rate, particularly when a supplier must mill the product to order.
Allow 5%-10% extra for a simple layout and 10%-15% for diagonal patterns or many cuts. A rectangular 200-square-foot deck might require 210-220 square feet of boards after ordinary waste; a complicated shape may need 220-230 square feet. Check whether the contractor’s square-foot price already includes this allowance.
On decking, joist spacing matters. If the design requires joists closer than 16 inches on center, added framing can raise the cost; long spans or unusual support conditions may also require engineering or heavier members. For cladding, a wall with many windows, corners, or transitions increases cutting time, even when the gross wall area appears modest.
Surface finish affects the estimate as well. Accoya can be left to weather naturally or coated, but the selected coating, desired color, and number of coats influence upfront spending and future upkeep. Ask whether the price includes end-grain treatment, pre-finishing, and touch-ups after installation.
Accoya compared with cedar, composite, and other woods
Accoya often costs more upfront than common pressure-treated pine and many cedar options, but its dimensional stability and durability can be valuable in exposed applications. Composite decking may be cheaper or more expensive depending on the product line, while hardwood decking can fall in a similar premium range. Compare complete installed systems rather than board prices alone.
| Material choice | Typical installed range | Price trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Pressure-treated pine decking | $18-$35/sq ft | Lower initial cost; periodic cleaning and coating |
| Cedar decking | $25-$45/sq ft | Moderate price; appearance and upkeep vary by grade |
| Accoya decking | $30-$65/sq ft | Premium wood; price depends on profile and fastening |
| Composite decking | $25-$60/sq ft | Wide product range; not a natural wood surface |
Accoya is most price-competitive when durability and stability matter more than the lowest purchase price. A fair comparison includes framing compatibility, fasteners, coatings, labor, and expected maintenance. For a sheltered project with a tight budget, cedar or treated lumber may meet the need at a lower initial cost.
Repairing a limited area may be less expensive than replacing an entire deck or wall. However, matching an existing Accoya profile can be difficult if the original boards are discontinued or custom milled. Ask suppliers about stock availability before deciding whether a partial replacement is practical.
When installation labor pushes the per-foot price higher
Simple, open layouts are generally quicker to install than stair edges, picture-frame borders, diagonal patterns, or curved details. A straightforward deck may take a small crew one to three days once framing is ready; a larger or highly detailed project can take a week or longer. Cladding duration depends on wall height, openings, scaffolding, and weather.
Labor costs rise when installers must repair framing or work from scaffolding. Typical residential carpentry rates may range from $50-$100 per worker-hour, with specialized exterior contractors or high-cost metros sometimes charging more. Crews may quote a per-square-foot installation rate instead, which should specify what preparation and finishing tasks are included.
Access affects productivity. Carrying boards through a narrow home, working above a second story, or staging materials far from the work area can add hours. A tight delivery area or long carry may also trigger a handling charge. Clear the work zone and confirm delivery access before the crew arrives.
Ask for the expected crew size, working days, and exclusions. A quote that lists $15 per square foot for labor may not include demolition, framing corrections, stairs, fascia, or cleanup. Written scope details make bids easier to compare and help explain why apparently similar unit prices differ.
How regional supply and access affect Accoya pricing
Accoya availability is not uniform across the United States. Areas with more specialty lumber suppliers may have lower delivery costs and shorter lead times, while remote locations may pay extra freight or incur minimum-order charges. Local carpenter wages and general contractor overhead also change the installed price.
Installed quotes in high-cost coastal metros can run 10%-25% above a typical regional estimate. Rural projects may have lower labor rates but higher delivery or travel charges, so the total can still be elevated. These percentages are broad planning adjustments rather than guaranteed regional price lists.
Before comparing bids, confirm that each supplier is pricing the same Accoya grade, dimensions, and profile. Ask whether freight, unloading, tax, and any material handling are included. A distant supplier’s lower board price may be offset by delivery charges, especially for a small order.
Lead time can also affect scheduling. Special-order material may require several weeks, and a contractor may charge storage or rescheduling fees if the site is not ready. Verify stock and delivery timing before demolition begins, particularly when the project depends on a specific profile or finish.
Three Accoya project estimates with different scopes
These examples show how size and work scope affect total price. They assume typical U.S. labor and do not include major structural repairs, unusual permitting, or premium custom finishes. Actual bids can vary by supplier and location.
| Project | Material and scope | Labor assumption | Estimated total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small deck resurfacing | 120 sq ft at $14-$18/sq ft, plus $250-$500 fasteners | 20-30 crew hours; sound framing | $3,800-$6,800 |
| Standard deck replacement | 240 sq ft at $14-$20/sq ft, plus $1,000-$2,500 framing and trim | 45-65 crew hours; some demolition | $8,000-$15,000 |
| Exterior wall cladding | 450 sq ft at $12-$19/sq ft, plus $1,500-$3,000 trim and prep | 70-100 crew hours; access equipment included | $12,000-$24,000 |
The lower estimate assumes simple geometry and usable framing; the upper estimate allows for higher material rates and added detail. The deck resurfacing example excludes joist replacement. The cladding example assumes a modest number of openings and does not include extensive sheathing repairs.
Compare the unit rate and total together. A contractor may quote a lower per-square-foot price while excluding demolition or trim, producing a higher final invoice. Ask each bidder to identify measured area, waste percentage, hourly or unit labor basis, and allowances for hidden damage.
Ways to lower an Accoya project quote without cutting corners
Keep the design simple and choose standard board dimensions that local suppliers stock. Straight runs, consistent spacing, and fewer custom borders reduce cutting and layout time. Confirm the available lengths before finalizing the design; standard stock can limit both waste and special-order fees.
Preparing a clear, accessible work area can reduce paid crew time. Move patio furniture, identify utility lines, and arrange access to the deck or wall before installation day. Do not remove structural components yourself unless the contractor agrees, since unexpected damage or unsafe demolition can increase costs.
Get at least three itemized quotes using the same scope. Compare material grade, board coverage, waste, fasteners, framing, finish, delivery, and disposal. If only part of an existing surface is damaged, price a repair alongside full replacement, but verify that replacement boards will match in size and appearance.
Avoid paying for upgrades that do not suit the exposure or design. A premium coating or custom-milled profile may add cost without being necessary for every project. Conversely, do not reduce fastener quality or framing requirements to reach a target price; those choices can create maintenance or performance problems later.