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At Decks.com the question we hear more often than any other is "What is the best composite decking material?" The answer is that it really depends on what you are looking for.
Most professional deck contractors have a favorite composite decking they choose to work with. They usually have worked with quite a few brands before settling on one product that they really like. It may seem strange to find out that they don't all select the same material and base their decision on different reasons.
As a Do-It-Yourself builder you will only get one chance to get it right. Most homeowners are drawn to composites because they are considered low maintenance.
We feel that you should approach choosing a composite decking material as a process of elimination. This way you can reduce the 100 or more products to a manageable list of choices.
The first step is to reference Decks.com list of approved decking materials. All of the composite materials on this list have Evaluation Service Reports verifying that they meet the structural building code requirements for use. If the product is not on this list your local building department may not be allow you to build with it.
Composite decking materials truly have improved over the last decade. Most old problems like mold and mildew have improved. Nevertheless it is important to find a product that has a good warranty in case of a problem. You can find the details and lengths of the warranties on all of the products webpages or from the lumberyard where you purchase the materials.
The appearance of the material is a very important and personal decision. There is a wide range of colors, textures and installation systems available. Find out if the colors will fade or if the surface will easily stain or scratch. Getting your hands on some samples at this point might be helpful.
Another consideration is installation. If you are building the deck yourself you will want to know how easy the material is to work with. You should review the instructions before making your decision.
The final factor is cost. Once you have narrowed your search you can begin to locate suppliers on the manufacturers website to see what is available and how expensive it is. Remember that composite material will be 1.5-3 times the price of wood. But before suffering from sticker shock you should consider that you will be saving the time and expense of staining your deck every year. Most estimates show that the costs even out after about 4 or 5 years.
 Evergrain is the only premium compsite decking material made with a compression molding process. This gives Evergrain decks the deep lasting grain that resembles real wood, while offering all the benefits of a composite. Evergrain doesn’t require painting or staining and is available in 7 natural looking colors. Evergrain decking is composed of plastic and wood fiber . The unique grain pattern creates a surface that is slip resistant and attractive. Evergrain 2x6 decking planks are easy to install. Matching rail systems are available. For more information visit EverGrain,
Evaluation Service Report: ESR-1625
 Latitudes Composite Decking features the Equator® hidden fastener system, which virtually eliminates pre-drilling and automatically spaces deck boards with the proper gap, making installation quick and easy. Available in four colors (gray, cedar, redwood and walnut), Latitudes employs proven Strandex® technology and is low maintenance, slip-resistant and reversible with a brushed finish on one side, embossed woodgrain finish on the other. For additional information visit Latitudes,
Evaluation Service Report: ESR-1573
Aluminum Decking Materials Review
When considering low maintenance products for your deck project why not consider using powder coated aluminum? Aluminum is a cost effective solution to creating an attractive low maintenance deck floor surface. Aluminum has high strength to weight properties, is cool to the touch, and is non-toxic. You will never have to worry about rot, slivers, or rust. Aluminum decking systems can even lock together to shed water from under the deck and protect the deck frame from damage caused from moisture.
 Lockdry aluminum decking uses a continuous locking seal to create a watertight maintenance free seamless floor surface. Lockdry is made from 6005-T5 Powder Coated Aluminum and comes in 6” wide 1” thick interlocking profiles that is engineered to support 240 PSF live load. Lockdry is available in 4 standard colors with matching railings. The powder coated surface is slip resistant and stays cooler to the touch than wood or concrete. Lockdry is easy to install and comes with a limited lifetime warranty. For more information visit LockDry,
 DeckRite exterior floor covering is a slip resistant, mildew resistant, and waterproof membrane that is easy to install over existing or new deck surfaces. DeckRite is a 3-ply laminated membrane consisting of a heavy duty polyester fabric encapsulated between 2 vinyl films. DeckRite is specially formulated to withstand exposure to the sun, water, and foot traffic. The polyster fabric is the heart of the product. It enhances the products dimensional stability, puncture strength, and tear resistance. The bottom film acts as the bonding layer in the installation process. DeckRite is available in 4 colors and comes in rolls 68 inches wide x 90 feet long. For more information visit DeckRite
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