Not too long ago, wood decking was just about the only decking material available. Today, however, there are a wide variety of different decking materials: Composite decking, PVC decking, and more. Choosing the right decking material for your deck depends on a number of different factors. We’re here to help you out; we’re going to cover the four most commonly used decking materials, give you the pros and cons of each, and then help you ask the right questions to find the perfect decking material for your needs.
Key Takeaways
There are four commonly used decking materials: Composite decking, hardwood, pressure-treated wood, and PVC. Each decking material has a different price point, and individual advantages and disadvantages. Wood decking requires more maintenance but offers a more classic feel. Composite decking and PVC decking are highly customizable. There is no best decking material; each has its own pros and cons.
Why You Want To Choose the Right Deck Materials
The right decking materials can reduce the amount of maintenance your deck needs, increase your deck’s lifespan and durability, and offer the look and feel that you want out of a deck. There is no one best decking material; it’s important to consider all the options available before choosing one.
Types of Deck Materials
Composite Decking
Composite decks are made from a mix of two or more materials, typically wood and plastic or minerals and plastic. Manufacturers usually use recycled plastic and sawdust to create composite decking, making it an eco-friendly option. There are a wide variety of advantages to using composite decking materials. They’re easy to clean, durable, highly customizable, and more affordable than some other decking options. We recommend choosing capped composite deck boards; these boards are protected by an additional layer of plastic, protecting the core of the board from moisture, UV rays, and more. Uncapped composite decking is less durable, and requires more maintenance.
Hardwood
Natural wood is the classic choice for building a deck; traditional wood decking remains a stylish, durable, elegant choice. There are a variety of different hardwoods you can choose from to build your wood deck, including:
- Ipe
- Teak
- Mahogany
- And other tropical hardwoods
These hardwoods are naturally insect-resistant and moisture-resistant, making them excellent options for decks. As hardwoods, these types of lumber are extremely durable; they’re also not prone to warping. The biggest downside to hardwoods is that maintenance is more challenging; you’ll have to sand and stain or seal your wood deck regularly, along with the routine cleaning that any deck needs. Wood decks built with tropical hardwood are also among the most expensive to build.
Pressure-Treated Wood
Pressure-treated wood is created by submerging wood into a liquid preservative and then forcing that preservative into the wood fibres by applying pressure. The preservative protects the wood from fungus and insects. The biggest advantage of pressure-treated wood is that it’s typically the least expensive decking material; if you want the natural look of a wood deck without springing for hardwood, it’s an excellent option. This means, however, that it has the same basic downside as hardwood; there’s a lot of maintenance required compared to a composite or PVC deck. Pressure-treated wood is also typically less durable than hardwood—though high-quality pressure-treated wood decking will still last 30+ years with proper maintenance.
PVC
PVC decking is made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and sometimes, other polymers (plastics) may be blended into your PVC decking. These decks are made without any organic materials, which gives them a number of advantages:
- PVC decks won’t rot and they’re immune to insects and fungi. They’re also water-resistant.
- PVC decking has an incredibly long lifespan—it can last for 50 years or more.
- You can customize your PVC decking—it comes in all kinds of different colours, and you can even emulate the look of wood.
- PVC decking is “barefoot friendly”; it doesn’t get very hot, even when it’s in the sun.
- PVC is low-maintenance
The biggest disadvantage of PVC decking? It’s the most expensive decking option. As a completely inorganic decking material, it’s also not the most environmentally friendly.
Pros & Cons of Each
To help you choose the best decking material for your needs, we’ve created a simple table to help you compare all four decking materials we listed:
| Decking Material | Hardwood | Composite | Pressure-Treated Wood | PVC |
| Lifespan | 20-40 years | 30-50 years | 15-30 years | 30-50 years |
| Durability | High | High | Medium | High |
| Water Resistance | Limited, with sealing | Water-resistant | Limited, with sealing | Waterproof |
| Customizability | Some, with staining and sealing | Highly customizable | Some, with staining and sealing | Highly customizable |
| Maintenance | High | Lower | High | Low |
| Cost | High | Lower | Low | High |
Which Materials Are Right for You?
Choosing the best decking material for your needs will depend on your circumstances. Here are a few questions you should ask yourself:
- Is your deck going to be near or on the water? If so, opt for a composite or PVC deck.
- Do you want to keep the initial cost per square foot low? Choose a composite or pressure-treated wood deck.
- Do you want an eco-friendly option? Composite decking or sustainably sourced hardwood decking is the best bet.
- Want a colourful deck? Choose premium composite decking or PVC decking for more customizability.
- Looking for a deck that will feel cool on your feet? PVC decking is the best bet.
- Don’t want to spend a lot of time on maintenance? Choose composite materials or PVC for your decking.
- Looking for a classic look and feel for your deck? Choose a wood deck material.
As you can see, choosing the best decking material for your deck depends on a number of factors; there is no single best material, and it all rests on how you want to use your deck, your budget, and other factors!