Vinyl Decking Vs Composite

Redwood decking can be comparable to wood-composite materials, and exotic hardwoods can be much more expensive. Pressure-treated wood is also the cheapest material for the non-decking components, such as stairs, guards, and rails. The classic and still the most popular deck material, wood decking is usually pressure-treated softwood, such as hemlock, fir, or pine. More expensive wood decking types include redwood andexotic hardwoods, such as teak or ipe. These premium woods typically are not pressure-treated but must be finished (as does pressure-treated wood) to keep it from weathering to a dull gray color. With a variety of options available to homeowners considering building a deck, wood does not have to be your first or only choice.

Wolf® Decking

In addition, it comes with all of the same drawbacks as wood-composite. You may wish to purchase PVC decking if you want a lighter-weight material that is easier to handle than wood-composite. Like wood-composite, PVC decking does not rot and never needs to be finished. Some homeowners simply like the look of PVC more than with the other materials. Also called plastic orsynthetic decking, this is made of cellular polyvinyl chloride , the same material that is used for plastic fencing.

What To Know About Deck Railing Height

The first difference that you’ll probably notice is that wood is typically the least expensive, composite the second and cellular PVC the most expensive. When it comes to fade resistance, PVC is the hands-down winner. However, it’s worth noting that although composite fades faster, the fade is more natural, giving the material a beautiful, more wood-like appearance than PVC. In terms of withstanding the elements, composite has the upper hand because they expand and contract less than PVC. This makes composite decking the better material when extreme temperatures is concerned. PVC technology has taken significant strides, and they look more like wood now more than ever.

Timbertech Pro Vs Azek: Which Decking Is Best For You?

wide, which means they aren't wide enough to fully cover both the deck boards and a 2x12 joist. Visualizers like this are super handy, but nothing beats a trip to the supplier to check out samples of the actual products. Feel the texture of the materials and if there's a display, take off your shoes and walk around on it.

When you plan tohire a composite deck builder near you, be sure to get quotes from at least three.Interview your deck builderbefore making a decision. You can determine the total square footage by multiplying the length by the width.

The three most commonly used materials for decking arepressure-treated wood, wood-composite , or an all-plastic decking made of polyvinyl chloride . For many who are new to decking, it might be difficult to tell much of a difference between PVC and composite when looking at samples.

Simply glue together three sides, slide them over the post, glue and clamp the last side in place, and then never worry about painting or staining again. Order it at home centers and lumberyards that carry Azek products. Composite is resistant to rot, mold, and termites, which can take their toll on wood decking materials. Composite decking requires minimal upkeep and can last between 25 and 30 years. On average, plastic decking has a similar lifespan to composite decking and can last nearly 30 years.

But synthetic plank decking offers good looks with less upkeep.Composites, which blend ground-up wood and plastic, have chipped away at wood's popularity. One can combine composite with other decking materials, but it can be difficult. Tiles from the same manufacturer often work well for this purpose.

PVC consists of polyvinyl chloride, a type of vinyl typically used for outdoor siding and fencing. If you’ve decided that an alternative to wood decking is right for you, you might wonder how to choose between composite and vinyl decking. Plastic may not be the first thing you think of when it comes to decking material, but composite decking has truly revolutionized outdoor construction. PVC decking also features a crisp and clean aesthetic that you just can’t find with other decking materials.

Both products are “capped”, which means the ends are covered by an added layer of protection to prevent moisture intrusion. This helps prevent mold and mildew from taking hold as well as product contraction and expansion. The biggest difference between TimberTech Pro and TimberTech Azek products is the material each is made of. TimberTech Pro is a composite product while Azek is a PVC product. Although similar, there are a few differences in these two materials that may be important to you. For both capped products, you can count on at least a 25-year stain and fade warranty.

What Is A Composite Decking Board Made Of?

Materials made entirely of plastic can stretch and bend over time, shortening their lifespan. The cost of decking materials ranges from$15 to $36 per square foot. Promote sustainability as capped polymer boards are environmentally-friendly products made from up to 54% recycled material.

Both vinyl decking and composites are available throughout North America from several manufacturers – offering builders and DIYers a range of brand choices. Both decking types come in many different colors and do not require painting, staining or sealing, as wood decking does. Manufacturers produce composites by mixing plastics and wood fiber and extruding the material into boards. The wood fiber provides strength, while the plastic helps protect the wood from moisture. Composites can be made from either recycled or virgin ingredients.

• PVC decking tends to have a uniform, synthetic appearance, with regularly repeating grain patterns and color streaking.
• While both products can save you valuable hours on deck maintenance, which one is right for your backyard?
• Many brands, including Trex and Fiberon, sell products in this price range.
• Take a look below at how the two materials compare to see why more people are choosing composite decking for their next project.
• Composite decking brands like ChoiceDek better capture the true beauty of wood with realistic wood-grain embossing and authentic, natural colors.

Trex will not fade or lose its original luster even after decades of exposure. Wood resisted slips best in our wet and dry friction tests. A few plastics and composites came close in those tests, but several flexed or sagged noticeably.

Geographic location and weather patterns can play a role in its lifespan since plastics can expand, contract, and crack with extreme weather conditions. Another advantage of composites is they areeasier to work withthan PVC is. Composite boards can be ripped, routed and bent , while PVC decking can neither be ripped the length of the board, nor routed on the edges, and are more limited in bending. The first big advantage of PVC decking is that it’s 100% recyclable. When a composite deck reaches the end of its lifespan , it’s doomed to end up in a landfill. But plastic decks can be refinished or recycled, giving them new life once their equally long life ends.