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The real question is whether you can handle the upfront cost, because you'll definitely save money long-term on maintenance and replacement.

I built a small deck extension with composite boards a few years back and honestly, the no-staining, no-sealing thing is *huge* - I'd have been refinishing a pressure-treated deck every couple years by now.

They do get hot in direct sun and can stain if you let debris sit on them, so it's not totally zero-maintenance, but compared to real wood it's night and day. If you're in it for the long haul and don't mind paying more upfront, it's worth every penny.

The "worth it" part really depends on your budget since recycled plastic runs 2-3x the cost of pressure-treated wood upfront, though you do skip the maintenance costs over time.

One thing I haven't seen mentioned: if you're mixing materials, lay down a moisture barrier under where the plastic meets the ground or posts, because while the lumber itself won't rot, trapped moisture underneath can cause issues with your frame and footings.

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