DeckMath
Florida · 20×16 (320 sqft) · 2026-Q1 retail

20×16 Deck Cost in Florida

A 20×16 (320 sqft) deck in Florida costs $14,720-$23,680 in mid-tier composite with the state's 0.92× labor multiplier (South). A 16×20 deck (320 sqft) is the canonical 'mid-large' deck — fits a full sectional, a 6-seat dining table, and a grill island. Florida's salt-air + UV combo is the toughest US deck environment. Marine-grade Trex Pro Platinum dealers stock specific corrosion-rated hardware.

320 sqft0.92× laborFrost 0humid climate72 lf perimeter
Area
320 sqft
20×16
PT pine (budget)
$7,360-11,840
$23-37/sqft installed
Mid composite
$14,720-23,680
$46-74/sqft installed
Luxury PVC
$22,080-32,320
$69-101/sqft installed

5 finish tiers — 20×16 in Florida

National $/sqft × Florida's 0.92× labor multiplier × 320 sqft = total installed cost. Materials + labor + standard railing included.

Tier
$/sqft
Total low
Total high
Budget · Pressure-treated
PT pine
$23-$37
$7,360
$11,840
Mid · Cedar / premium PT
Cedar
$32-$51
$10,240
$16,320
Premium · Mid composite
Trex Transcend, Fiberon Sanctuary
$46-$74
$14,720
$23,680
Luxury · Premium composite
TimberTech AZEK, Trex Signature
$69-$101
$22,080
$32,320
Exotic · Tropical hardwood
IPE, Cumaru
$83-$129
$26,560
$41,280

Excludes permit ($105-$259 typical in Florida), demolition (if replacing), and exceptional framing for 0″ frost depth. FL hurricane requirements — check local code for uplift connectors. Permit fees $200-400.

20×16 framing notes for Florida

Joist size
2×10 @ 16″ OC
Span 20 ft requires 2×10 SYP or PT pine for IRC R507.6 compliance. Check Joist Span Calculator for exact spans by species + spacing.
Beam configuration
2-3 beams
A 20×16 deck typically needs 2-3 beams depending on whether you can drop joists onto the beam (1) or hang them flush (2+).
Post count
6 posts
6×6 PT posts at 6-post layout typical. Footings extend below 0″ frost line.
Footings
6 × 0″ deep
Sonotube 10-12″ diameter at 0″ depth per IRC R403.1.4. Concrete budget: ~$248.
Decking
528 lf
320 sqft × 1.65 lf/sqft = 528 lf of deck boards at 16″ joist OC. Add 5-7% waste for cuts.
Railing
72 lf perimeter
72 lf of railing (~$36/lf mid composite, ~$22/lf wood). Stairs need 2 extra handrails (1 each side).

Florida considerations

Labor multiplier
0.92×
South region labor pricing on all installed costs.
Frost depth
0″
Footings extend below frost line per IRC R403.1.4. Standard footing depth.
Climate
humid
Salt-air coastal: use 316SS hardware. Lean composite over PT for 25-yr TCO.
Top metros
Miami · Tampa · Orlando
Major metros drive installer availability + pricing pressure.
Permit fee
$105-$259
FL hurricane requirements — check local code for uplift connectors. Permit fees $200-400.
Region
South
South regional pricing applied. Multiply national $/sqft by 0.92× for Florida installed cost.

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FAQ — 20×16 deck in Florida

How much does a 20×16 deck cost in Florida?

In Florida, a 20×16 (320 sqft) deck costs $7,360-$11,840 in pressure-treated, $14,720-$23,680 in mid-range composite (Trex Transcend / Fiberon Sanctuary), and $22,080-$32,320 in luxury composite/PVC (TimberTech AZEK / Trex Signature). Numbers reflect Florida's 0.92× labor multiplier on 2026-Q1 retail.

What's the cheapest way to build a 20×16 deck in Florida?

Cheapest = ground-level pressure-treated pine with no railings (where exempt under 30″ height) — ~$5,888-$8,832 in Florida. Add stairs + railings + above-grade framing and the build goes to ~$8,243-$11,776. DIY saves 30-50% on labor but requires permit + inspection coordination yourself.

How long does it take to build a 20×16 deck in Florida?

Permit timeline in Florida: 2-6 weeks depending on jurisdiction. Construction time for a 20×16: pro crew = 5-8 days for framing + boards + railings + stairs. DIY = 3-5 weekends for experienced DIYer. Allow extra time for permit approval + inspections.

What framing do I need for a 20×16 deck in Florida?

IRC R507-compliant framing for a 20×16 deck typically uses 2×8 joists at 16″ OC for spans up to 12 ft, 2×10 joists for spans 12-16 ft. Florida's frost depth is 0″ — footings must extend below that per IRC R403.1.4. No frost depth in your region — minimum 12″ footing depth still required for stability. Verify with your local building department.

Is composite worth it for a 20×16 deck in Florida?

Over 25 years in Florida: PT pine = ~$8,832 install + ~$18,400 maintenance (stain every 2-3 yr) = $27,232 total. Mid composite = ~$17,075 install + $0 maintenance = $17,075 total. Composite wins by 59-81% over 25-yr lifecycle PLUS better resale value in Florida's market.

Compare Florida brand pricing for a 20×16

Same 20×16 in other states