The Differences Between Composite And Pvc Decking

Rubber Decking Material

Composite decking is also an environmentally-friendly choice and is made from recycled materials. Because it is so long-lasting, you won’t need to replace your deck as often making it a sustainable option for your outdoor living space. No matter what material you decide to use for your new deck, you’ll find the best brands at the best prices at your local Decks & Docks lumber yard. If you’re interested in composite decking options, check out our selection of Trex capped composite decking solutions. If PVC is more up your alley, our AZEK decking options are guaranteed to last. The first big advantage of PVC decking is that it’s 100% recyclable.

For its low maintenance and good looks, it's worth a look, but shop around. "Not all composites are equal," says Gordon Whittaker, owner of Alter Eagle. PVC decking is typically made from virgin plastics, which can be recycled after use. Although Trex decking cannot be recycled due to the mingling of wood fibers and plastics, it can be repurposed into new decking materials. Even better, it contributes to less trash in landfills and on the planet. Although Trex contains plastic, it’s a composite decking material. As a result, you get the the eye-catching look of rich wood with the durability of a composite.

Blocking Keeps Decks Flat And Square

Compression molding takes the combined molten materials and places them on a wood grain mold and then compresses them under extreme heat and pressure which creates a physical bond. For some composite decking companies, all water and leftover ingredients are recaptured and recycled in the manufacturing process. The cost of composite decking materials falls in the middle. The upfront cost may seem a bit pricey, but the long-term expenses are relatively low. Composite decking has a very long life span with very little maintenance needed. Consumer Reportscompared wood decking to alternative decking materials. They reported that pressure-treated pine is very popular and very inexpensive; but the wood tends to change color very quickly, and will rot, crack, and splinter over time.

Since composite decking looks similar to traditional lumber, the wood vs. composite decking comparison comes up fairly often. However, that similarity is just on the surface as composite decking boasts a ton of artificial decking material advantages that make it easier to own. For example, composite decking doesn’t splinter, and it NEVER needs re-painted or re-stained to prevent mold and rot. These maintenance-free advantages make this a popular deck material option. Composites and PVC typically cost more than wood decking does since they are higher-performance products. Most composite and plastic decking materials contain some portion of old materials.

Lastly, the high density of vinyl decking makes it more difficult to alter shape, size, and color as frequently as a wooden alternative. Composite decking stacks up, and, in some respects, it surpasses the competition. Composite decking is low maintenance as it never requires any sealing, painting, or sanding. It is made in an eco-friendly process, salvaging wood and plastics that would otherwise be taken to landfills. Composite decking is reasonably priced, particularly when considering the long-term maintenance costs.

Wood Decks

• If you're in search of a low maintenance deck and can afford to spend the extra money, this decking material may be your best selection.
• Ease of Installation Composite decking are quite easy to install as they do not require significant expertise.
• Same as composite decking, though wood decking requires the use of hidden fasteners.
• Aluminum decking requires a significant expertise to install.
• Care and Maintenance Composite decking will resist cracking, warping, splintering, rotting, mold and fungus.

This creates a hard, exterior shell that protects from stain, mildew, scratching, insects, UV fading, and more. At Fiberon we usePermaTech Innovationto ensure the ultimate deck consumer, satisfaction in scratch, element, and stain resistance. As idyllic as your backyard deck could be, maintaining that elevated expanse of lumber can be a downright chore. When the less demanding plastic-composite decking appeared on the scene in the 1990s, homeowners happily adopted it, despite the higher price and limited color selection . A decade later, as companies began to offer new products that looked like fresh-cut cedar and Brazilian walnut but never turned gray, sales of composites took off. I just completed a re-decking of my wooden deck using Trex composite.

These deck boards range from simple pressure treated lumber to exotic timber from South America. The biggest draw of wood decking when compared to composite and cellular PVC is the initial price. However, making a decision based on the initial cost is short-sighted. Wood decks require quite a bit of costly maintenance in order to last. Power washing, sanding, and resealing costs quickly add up year after year. Even with proper maintenance, wooden decking will eventually be vulnerable to mold, insects, and weathering which reduces your deck’s value.

Real wood decking also has a natural look and feel that the other materials lack. When planning an outdoor deck, perhaps the biggest decision you face is which material to use for the decking. While most decks use pressure-treated wood lumber for the understructure (posts, beams, joists, etc.), the decking can be a completely different material—or not. The three most commonly used materials for decking arepressure-treated wood, wood-composite , or an all-plastic decking made of polyvinyl chloride . Over the years Archadeck has watched composites continue to improve in appearance and durability. Many composites promise the best of everything, from stain resistance to low maintenance and much more. TimberTech is a renowned leader in composite decking and a brand we embrace as Oakville’s premier deck builder.

A key factor to consider for vinyl vs. composite decking is theway the materials look. As they contain wood fiber, composites more closely resemble wood, which many homeowners like, while a vinyl decking problem is looking too much like plastic, in some cases. The cheapest composite decking material costs around $4 to $5 per square foot. Many brands, including Trex and Fiberon, sell products in this price range. However, today questions and shortcomings are becoming evident in composite decking (C-D). Everything new should and usually does look great, but problem issues surface when composite decking materials are marketed as a universal cure-all to wood’s specific problems.

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Composite Vs Pvc

This form of alternative decking material is weather, insect, rot, and warping resistant, not to mention that many composite decking options are beautiful and simply stunning. Composites are by far the oldest decking product on the market.