The Differences Between Composite And Pvc Decking

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

In hot, sunny areas, plastic decks can get very hot on the soles of the feet and actually radiate heat, making them uncomfortable. Still, for a virtually maintenance-free deck, plastic decking may be the answer. Plastic decking, which is 100 percent recyclable such as Azek, looks like wood. It might expand and contract in certain climates, loosening joints and making decks unstable. New metal balusters can give your existing wood deck a sleek, modern look. The round Classic Balusters are held in place by hidden connectors that require no hole drilling.

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

This weathering process helps the decking achieve its beautiful, wood-like appearance. At GreenWay, we’re dedicated to helping homeowners get the most out of their outdoor spaces. Whether it’s fences, railings, or deck materials, we sell it all. That’s why we’re helping homeowners find the best decking material for their dream-come-true backyards. PVC decking tends to look the least like wood, when compared to natural wood and wood-composite deck boards.

It’s stiffer than PVC decking boards and can span greater distances. Its stiffness also makes it easier for one person to handle and helps hide minor imperfections in the framing. Composite is also less slippery than PVC decking boards when it’s wet.

One PVC company even offers a laminated product that some feel is an extremely good aesthetic substitute for wood. Ultimately, beauty is in the eye of the beholder and aesthetics don’t necessarily represent a significant difference between these product types across manufacturers. The average price of composite decking ranges between $7-$9 per square foot. But what is PVC decking, and how does it compare to composite vs wood decking? Answering those questions is an important step towards determining which type of alternative decking material would work best for you. One way to spruce up posts is to cover them with a maintenance-free material. AZEK makes a PVC Column Wrap that's super easy to install.

Do You Know How To Avoid Staining A Deck? Build It From Something Other Than Wood Like Pvc Decking Boards

PVC deck materials typically are 10 to 15 percent higher than wood-composite. Lastly, composite manufacturers often use a higher percentage of recycled material while PVC is often manufactured from virgin materials. If reducing your carbon footprint is important, research the manufacturer you’re considering for recycled content claims. Vinyl decking is used to help eliminate water from seeping below the surface of a deck and is more of a protective membrane than a proper deck board material. You cannot use vinyl decking to create a solid structure that can bear weight on its own. It can only be used to create a waterproof seal when used over the top of another, sturdier material. Get tips on how to find the right wood materials for your deck.

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.

Once in place, they just do their job and don't need much more than an annual wash-down, leaving you plenty of time to work on your nap. TOH explains everything you need to know about this wood alternative, including how to choose the best boards, compare costs, as well as install and clean them.

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Ceramic-coated screws come in several colors, which helps them blend in. The width of the decking, its color and finish, and the design of the railing are important design elements. A ranch, raised ranch, or contemporary house style can work well with many deck designs. It's more challenging to make a deck work with older styles, such as Tudor, colonial, or 1920s bungalow. Many manufacturers of synthetic decking offer a variety of railings, such as provincial or Mission style, that can help the deck fit with the rest of the house.

Stay up to 30 degrees cooler than competitive composite products. Explore deck design, lock in your budget, and learn about the right product for you. Economists not only look at the initial cost of an action, but the future costs as well. When shopping for a new deck, you need to shop like a good economist. How much time and money will it take to maintain your deck?

Their decking uses fiber sequencing technology for added strength and long lasting beauty. Serenity Decking uses a proprietary ColorWatch ASA capstock which gives the decking the color variation of real wood and repels moisture and UV rays. Furthermore, the appearance and texture of Trex resembles real wood not plastic. It has a matte finish and wood like grain that you will not find in a PVC decking. PVC decking is shiny and smooth to the touch making it look like faux wood.

• Which one you choose determines the style options, the price, what it’s like to own it, and the maintenance you’ll need to do to keep it looking great.
• Composites are by far the oldest decking product on the market.
• The three main deck material options you’ll see on the market are pressure treated wood, composite, and PVC .
• Wood is a more natural product, while composite and vinyl are artificial decking materials.

Deciding whether tobuild a deck or hire a prodepends on your skills. Many composite and PVC manufacturers sell only to authorized dealers, so DIY may limit your choices.

The most affordable line in the TimberTech family, Edge features a scalloped underside, reducing the amount of material per board. Less expensive doesn’t mean ‘cheap’ though, this product is still more resistant to the elements than traditional wood decking.