DECKING 101

PVC vs WOOD vs COMPOSITE

It can seem like there are endless options for decking out there, but when it comes down to it, you're most likely to encounter one of only three or four main types of decking material.
Knowing the key differences between each type will help you narrow down your options.

While all decking brands and styles will be a bit different, here's a basic breakdown of what you can expect from the three most common decking materials: PVC, Wood, and Composite.

	PVC	Wood	Composite
MOLD / ROT / BUG RISK	Very resistant	Not resistant	Resistant
WARP / SPLIT RISK	Very low	Very high	Very low
MAINTENANCE	Just cleaning	Cleaning, sanding, staining, painting	Just cleaning
PURCHASE COST	Highest	Low-medium	Medium-high
AVERAGE LIFESPAN	50+ year replacement	~10 year replacement	25 year replacement
MATERIAL	100% pure PVC	Readily available lumber	Wood filler and plastic

	PVC	Wood	Composite
HEAT RESISTANCE	Resists heat for a cooler feel on the feet	Can be hot, depending on stain color	Retains heat much longer than PVC, can get very hot
SPLINTER RISK	Zero risk of splinters or slivers	High risk of splinters and slivers	No risk of splinters or slivers
SLIP RISK	Highest traction and slip resistance	Can be very slippery when wet	Can be slippery when wet
FADE RISK	Low	Very high	Low
SCRATCH / STAIN RISK	Highest resistance to scratching	Low resistance to scratching	Medium resistance to scratching
BOARD APPEARANCE	Multi-tone creates a more authentic hardwood look	Natural lumber look, usually stained or painted	Some good, some fake with repeating patterns

	PVC	Wood	Composite
GROUND RATED / WATERPROOF	Yes, can be installed around pools, hot tubs, etc. and in contact with the ground	Only some types of wood can be installed around pools and hot tubs	Typically cannot be used around pools and hot tubs or in contact with the ground
TOOLS REQUIRED	Standard decking tools	Standard decking tools	Standard decking tools
INSTALL TIME	Medium	Low	Medium