Best Decking Buying Guide

Poly vinyl Chloride is a special class of plastic resin which is used in the manufacture of a wide variety of products. PVC decking is mainly used in exterior installation for most homes.

However, it can lead to a bit more “bounce” than composites once installed. Both expand and contract with temperature changes and manufacturer’s guidelines should be followed carefully. PVC and composites also both often have “hidden” fastening options that reduce the outward appearance of the installed decking for a more polished look.

Decking

Most importantly, it lasts the longest without needing replacement. PVC Decking – PVC is made up of 100% recycled plastic material making it a better choice for the environment. Since it is plastic it does not need to be sanded, stained, or sealed like natural wood and is much easier to clean. PVC is also mold, mildew, scratch, and insect resistant so homeowners spend less time worrying about all the maintenance and spend more time enjoying their deck. Lastly, it has a clean wood enhanced look that comes in a wide variety of colors and wood grains to choose from. Cedar is a great product and for many years was inexpensive way to put decking down on the substrate.

Colorful Border

Plastic Decking Materials

Capped Composite deckinghas an inner core made of recycled wood and plastics. As its name suggests, the core of the composite is then “capped” by a PVC shell that helps protect it from the elements. Capped Composite decking is generally made from 75-95% recycled material. The top Capped Composite brands areTrex, TimberTech, and Fiberon. Composite decking is easier to work with and install than PVC. Composite decking with a plastic and wood blend throughout the board can be ripped, routed and bent to fit nearly any space. They can’t be ripped down the board or routed on the edges, and they require special tools to bend.

Best Discount Composite Decking Material

• Now, fast forward 16 years, there are now dozens of composite decking companies and so many choices it boggles the mind.
• There are as many answers as questions, and everyone has their favorites, or opinions on what makes their composite the best.
• If you’re looking for a green alternative that still looks like wood, this is a great choice.
• Some do not use any new materials, making them highly sustainable.
• Most PVC and composite decking products use recycled plastic.
• What are the advantages’ of one composite material over another?

But most are susceptible to chalking and definitely look less natural or more man-made. Another trend in high end composites and some cellular PVC decking boards are co-extrusions or a bonded outer layers . These processes result in a “skin” or outer layer of the decking board that has different qualities then the core. For the most part, composite decking is more expensive than wood.

Benefits To Pvc Decking

As far as price is concerned, the composite decking we sell is right in the middle of the costs for wood and vinyl. For a composite board to last, it needs to have a good cap to protect the recycled material in the core of the board from swelling and rotting from moisture that may enter. PVC has great color fastness and with today’s technology, it can look more like natural wood than composite decking. The two areas where these deck materials show the biggest difference is in maintenance and cost. While composite decking is water resistant, PVC is the best choice for installations that are in heavy moisture areas.

Cellular Pvc

Don't skimp on support joists if you choose heavier composites or less-rigid plastics. For wood, solid stains typically yield longer-lasting results. When pricing the materials, be sure to figure in the cost of railings, stairs, and supporting structure as well as the planks under foot. If you're hiring a pro, note that the cost of labor—either to build a new deck or to replace worn planking on an existing structure—can easily exceed the cost of the materials.