The Differences Between Composite And Pvc Decking

Rubber Decking Material

They are an excellent option for humid and rainy environments, as they are resistant to both moisture and insect infestation. Finally, they offer a greater variety of long-lasting color options that won’t need upkeep or reapplication.

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. You should be able to get at least 20 years of use, depending on the conditions.

Blocking Keeps Decks Flat And Square

Polypropylene or PP is the highest strength of the olefins and is commonly manufactured into pipe. Olefin products lend themselves to be flexible and naturally have a softer surface than vinyl products. When you’re planning your deck, besides deciding the color, style and size, you’ll need to pick the material it will be made of.

Both composite and PVC decking materials can be either capped or uncapped. Uncapped decking is the more cost-effective choice, but it is also more vulnerable to staining and mold growth if not carefully maintained. Easily customizable, PVC can be made to mimic the color of more expensive wood decking options, such as mahogany, ipe, and redwood. And because it’s completely plastic, keeping it clean is a breeze – you can even safely pressure wash this material without fear of splintering. Plastic may not be the first thing you think of when it comes to decking material, but composite decking has truly revolutionized outdoor construction. Many popular brands are made from 50 percent wood fibers and 50 percent recycled plastic. Composite decking is a solid color all the way through, so the ends of boards are not as noticeable.

That's a lot of money for maintenance, and even if it did cost that much, it's still much cheaper than composite decking. It would take years to make it worth the cost, and by then you could have done a new deck entirely, after only 10 yrs. Consumers must decide if the look and feel of natural wood is worth the work that goes into periodic staining, painting and replacing sections that have begun to decay. If you'd rather spend your time doing something else, composites are your choice.

Wood Decks

• That being said, extreme temperatures can affect vinyl decks, causing them to expand and contract.
• 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.
• However, their low maintenance requirements offset this initial investment — which pays for itself in just a few years due to savings on services.
• 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.
• In comparison to traditional wood decks, vinyl decking materials can have a higher upfront cost that can dissuade some buyers.

The Real Cost Of Buying Your First Home

Ultimately, different materials are appropriate for different circumstances. Composite decking material uses a combination of plastic and wood fibers. The newer technologies come in a multitude of colors, grain patterns and thicknesses. When comparing artificial decking materials, PVC comes out on top as the deck boards that are less susceptible to the scratches that damage composite boards.

From cost to maintenance and durability to look, there are many things to think about as you decide between composite or wood for your next deck. Here are some pros and cons to consider before you decide which product to buy. In most cases, it’s very difficult to conceal the use of vinyl material. Even to the untrained eye, the product simply looks like vinyl, and for many homeowners, this makes it a less desirable material than composite, aluminum, or natural wood. Most of the composite, plastic, and aluminum decking we tested kept its original color better than unfinished wood.

How To Fasten Composites Down

In general terms, more composite manufacturers have a wood-like grain pattern and more PVC products have a more linear grain pattern. However, this is not a hard-and-fast rule and exceptions exist for both. But what is PVC decking, and how does it compare to composite vs wood decking?

However, composites are generally constructed from a mixture of plastic and wood fibers, which are mixed together using heat and pressure in a co-extrusion process. As a result, some composites that use this method to create a finished product are not able to be recycled unless they can be easily returned to the manufacturer. However, most composites are made from recycled materials, lowering their impact on the environment.

Decking & Railing Duos

5 Great Deck Materials.

Posted: Sun, 07 Jun 2020 07:00:00 GMT [source]