Deck and porch construction in Georgia and Florida ranges from $25 to $85+ per square foot installed, depending on material, elevation, and complexity. A 300 sqft composite deck costs $10,500–$18,000. A 200 sqft screened porch runs $12,000–$22,000. These are among the highest-ROI outdoor investments in the Southeast, where homeowners use outdoor space 8–10 months per year.
| Material | Cost/SqFt Installed | Lifespan | Maintenance | Southeast Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pressure-Treated Pine | $25–$40 | 15–25 yrs | Stain/seal every 2–3 yrs | Standard in GA. Warps if not maintained in humidity. |
| Composite (Trex/TimberTech) | $40–$65 | 25–50 yrs | Annual wash only | Best long-term value. Doesn’t rot, split, or need staining. |
| PVC/Cellular | $50–$75 | 30–50+ yrs | Minimal | Fully waterproof. Ideal for FL coastal and pool areas. |
| Ipe Hardwood | $55–$85 | 40–75 yrs | Oil annually or let silver | Premium natural look. Extremely dense and durable. |
| Cedar | $35–$55 | 15–20 yrs | Seal every 1–2 yrs | Beautiful but less durable than composite in SE humidity. |
Screened porches are the Southeast’s signature outdoor space. Georgia’s mosquito season runs March through November. Florida’s is year-round. A screened porch converts your outdoor living from weather-dependent to daily usable. Costs range from $40–$80/sqft for a basic screened structure on an existing slab or deck, to $70–$120/sqft for a new foundation screened porch with electrical, ceiling fan, and finished ceiling. In Florida, screened pool enclosures are essentially mandatory — they keep debris and insects out while meeting safety fencing requirements.
Every deck attached to a house requires engineered ledger board connections, concrete footings below frost line (12–18 inches in Georgia, shallower in Florida), and code-compliant railings on any surface 30+ inches above grade. Georgia and Florida both require permits for deck construction. Freestanding decks still need permits in most jurisdictions. Post-to-beam connections must use approved hardware — notched posts are no longer code-compliant in most jurisdictions. The North American Deck and Railing Association publishes current standards and best practices.
The Southeast’s combination of heat, humidity, UV exposure, and heavy rain is the most demanding deck environment in the country. Pressure-treated wood decks that last 30 years in the Midwest last 15–20 in Georgia and even less in coastal Florida. Composite decking has become the default recommendation for homeowners who don’t want to restain every two years. Southern yellow pine used for framing should be ground-contact rated (UC4A minimum) for any member within 6 inches of the ground. In coastal Florida, stainless steel fasteners are necessary — standard galvanized hardware corrodes in salt air within 3–5 years.
Decks and porches consistently return 65–80% of cost at resale in Georgia and Florida. Screened porches return even higher in markets where outdoor living is a selling point — which is most of both states. The key is proportionality: a 300–400 sqft deck or porch is the sweet spot for most homes. Going larger doesn’t proportionally increase value.
Bowser Construction Group builds decks, screened porches, and covered outdoor structures across Georgia and Florida. Engineered footings, code-compliant railings, and material-matched construction.
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