Best Decking Material Options: Evaluating Composite, Wood & Alternative Materials
Choosing a decking material is arguably the most important decision you’ll make while building a deck. Different circumstances call for different types of decking, such as composite and wood decking. Each option has its unique aesthetic appeal, maintenance requirements, and other important considerations to keep in mind when choosing. Deciding which decking material option is right for you comes down to both personal and practical tastes.
Types of Decking Materials
There are many types of deck materials to choose from, including wood, composite, and exotic woods. Before you choose the type of material to build your deck, it’s important to explore your options and understand the pros and cons of each, as well as the level of maintenance required to keep your deck beautiful for a long time. Here are some of the most popular decking material options to choose from when building your deck and factors that may help narrow your decision.
Let's discuss the following deck materials:
Composite Decking
Pros and Cons of Composite Decking
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There are many types of composite decking. In general, the word “composite” means different materials combined to create a new finished product. Most commonly, low-density polyethylene (LDPE) and wood fibers are used together, but some products use rice hulls, high-density polyethylene, and other combinations of various materials.
Composite decking is resistant to the elements. Many composite hues resemble wood and are scratch-resistant, but performance varies by manufacturer and price.
Composite decking is also very low-maintenance and does not require sanding or refinishing. Washing your deck a few times per year is typically the extent of the required maintenance. With minimal care, high-quality materials like Trex Composite Decking can last for 25-50 years.
The cost of composite decking can vary widely — as much as $5 to $13 per square foot.
Many manufacturers may use recycled materials in composites without affecting performance. Some brands recycle up to 95%. If lowering your carbon footprint is important to you, contact the manufacturer for information.
Composite decking is the best decking material for several reasons. First, it doesn't require painting or staining as wood does. This can save you a lot of time and money in the long run. Second, composite decking is more durable than wood. It's resistant to rot, insect damage, and weathering, which means it will last longer and require less maintenance over time. Third, composite decking is made from recycled materials, so it's an eco-friendly choice. And fourth, it comes in a variety of colors and styles to suit your home.
Uncapped Composite Decking
Another type of composite decking is uncapped decking. It lacks a plastic layer to protect the core, so it’s not as resilient as capped decking.
Uncapped composite decking isn't usually recommended since it's more susceptible to damage from the elements and likely to fade unevenly and stain over time. In addition, it's prone to mold, mildew, and fungus growth in humid climates, and it can be scratched and damaged easily. Cracking and crumbling may also occur.
Wood Decking
There are several types of wood decking to choose from when planning your new deck. The most common wood for decking includes cedar, redwood, and pressure-treated. Other wood decking options include tropical hardwoods such as ipe, cumaru, and tigerwood.
Pressure-Treated Wood Decking
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Pressure-treated lumber is one of the most common types of wood decking. While ordinary lumber is not treated with chemicals, pressure-treated lumber is permeated with chemicals that deter insects, inhibit mold and mildew, and protect the wood from rot, helping enhance its natural durability. It’s also easy to find, cut, and work with, although precautions, such as a mask, must be taken while sawing or drilling to avoid inhalation of chemicals. In addition, scraps should not be burned to avoid releasing chemical vapors.
If you don’t like the appearance of pressure-treated lumber, a stain can help make it more attractive. However, it’s recommended to let pressure-treated deck wood weather for a few months before staining and consider sanding before applying it.
It’s also important to note that there are different grades of treated lumber, and your local supplier can help you choose the grade that’s right for your budget.
When comparing composite and wood decking, ordinary lumber tends to split, warp, or crack, and pressure-treated wood requires far more maintenance than composite decking. But with care, including power washing, sanding, and regular re-staining, you can extend the lifespan of your pressure-treated deck.
Pressure-treated wood is also affordable, available at around $3-$6 per square foot.
Cedar Decking
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Cedar is commonly regarded as a higher-quality wood for decks compared to pressure-treated lumber. This natural wood gradually weathers into a soft gray tone over the years. It’s lightweight and easy to work with, which makes it great for DIY projects. Cedar also contains natural tannins, which make it resistant to decay, infestation, and rot.
Use heartwood, not sapwood, for cedar decking. Heartwood is denser than sapwood, the tree’s outer layer, and its density makes it decay-resistant.
Similar to pressure-treated wood, cedar requires regular maintenance. But if you select quality cedar and provide annual refinishing, you can expect your cedar deck to outperform standard pressure-treated wood decking. You can find cedar for around $9-$11.50 per square foot.
Hardwoods (Ipe / Brazilian Walnut)
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Exotic hardwoods such as ipe make great decking. Hardwoods are hard, as their name suggests, and their dense material resists termites and decay. In addition, they contain tannins that work like the chemicals in pressure-treated lumber to enhance durability.
Every hardwood has its own look. Ipe, a rich crimson brown, fades to gray unless oiled 1-2 times a year. Mahogany, tigerwood, and cumaru are other hardwood options. Due to their density, hardwoods last longer and look better with age than softwood. However, many hardwoods are slow-growing, and the ability to renew certain species is debatable. If this is a concern for you, there are many resources to consult online to decide what wood types for decks are best for your project.
Alternative Decking Materials
In addition to composite and wood decking, a few alternative decking materials are worth mentioning. Let's look at them.
PVC Decking
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Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastics are available in many levels of quality, but nearly all are resilient. High-quality PVC decking has almost none of the vulnerabilities of wood. That means you don’t have to worry about sanding or staining, which makes vinyl decking almost maintenance-free.
Aesthetically, vinyl provides a wider range of options than wood. Brown, gray, white, tan, and wood-grain patterns are available. Plus, some people feel that PVC is more attractive. Solid PVC decking has improved in formulation and aesthetics over the last 20 years, and it's lighter than other decking materials, making it easier to carry and work with on the job site.
PVC's cost and lack of recycled content are its main limitations. Depending on the manufacturer, PVC decking ranges from $11.82 to $26.34 per square foot, but with any longer-lasting building material, decreased maintenance can lower costs over time. That said, PVC decking has less recycled content than other synthetic choices (some are 100% virgin). This increases the carbon footprint and doesn’t necessarily translate to a higher-quality deck board.
How to Choose The Right Deck Material Options
Many factors go into choosing deck material options, from cost and appearance to maintenance and installation. If you want to make the best choice among the types of decks, it helps to be fully informed about your options. Take a moment to learn more about decking materials here.
What is the Best Deck Material for My Home?
DECK MATERIAL COMPARISON | |||||
TREATED WOOD | SOFTWOOD (Cedar) | HARDWOOD (Ipe) | PVC | COMPOSITE | |
Low Maintenance | ★ | ★ | ★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
Long Lasting | ★★ | ★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
Natural Looking | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
Easy to Install | ★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
Environmentally Friendly | ★★ | ★★★★★ | ★ | ★★ | ★★★★★ |
Design Variety | ★ | ★ | ★ | ★★★ | ★★★★★ |
Easy to Source | ★★★★★ | ★★★ | ★ | ★★ | ★★★★ |
Won't Cause Splinters | ★ | ★★ | ★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
Safe to Install | ★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★ | ★★★★ | ★★★★ |
Durable | ★★ | ★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
Water Resistant | ★ | ★ | ★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
Insect Resistant | ★★★ | ★★★ | ★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
Mold Resistant | ★★ | ★★ | ★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
Stain Resistant | ★ | ★ | ★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
Fade Resistant | ★ | ★ | ★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
Cost | ★★★★★ | ★★★★ | ★ | ★★ | ★★★ |
Ready to start with your decking project? Find a contractor or shop for decking materials near you.
Learn more about Decking Material Options
Capped Composite Decking
What is capped composite decking? It's a great option if you like the look of wood but not the maintenance. Learn about capped composite at Decks.com.
Fiberon
Fiberon low maintenance decking is manufactured by Fiber Composites, LLC in New London, NC
Hurricane Ties: Uses and Installation
Hurricane ties provide your deck with additional stability against high winds and rain. Learn how to utilize and install hurricane ties on Decks.com.
Cutting a Concrete Pad
Learn how to use a concrete saw to cut a hole in a patio slab to install a deck footing.
Buried Post
Learn how to install a concrete deck footing with a buried treated support post as an alternative to a solid pier foundation.
Protecting From Collapse
Learn how to use cardboard sonotubes and hole covers to protect your deck footing holes from caving in and flooding before pouring concrete.
More Helpful Resources
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Eco Friendly Composite & Wood Decking Options
Looking for the most environmentally friendly way to add a gorgeous deck to your home? Learn how composite decking is made from recycled materials at Decks.com.
How many footings do I need?
Learn how to determine the number of footings and support posts you need for your deck when designing your deck frame.
Deck Footing Depth
Find out how deep you need to dig your footings in your area. Look at our U.S. map of extreme frost penetration.
How to Buy Concrete: Hiring a Ready-Mix Truck
Hiring a truck to deliver ready-mixed concrete for your project may make better sense than mixing it yourself. Learn how to order concrete for your deck at Decks.com.
Explore Articles by Topic
Footings
Information related to installing frost footings for decks
Framing
Learn structural framing methods
Decking
Learn about wood and composite decking materials
Stairs
An in-depth look at the complex issue of how to build stairs
Railings
How to install guardrails and handrails to meet IRC code
Features
An overview on water drainage, benches, planters and lights
Design
The basics of deck design
Planning
Learn about permits and working with contractors
Porches & Patios
Build a covered deck to enjoy all seasons
Ledger
Proper attachment techniques
Care
Maintain your deck to maintain your investment
Materials
An overview on water drainage, benches, planters and lights