What is the best decking material?
The first, and arguably most important step in the deck planning process is determining which type of material to use. But, what is the best deck material? The answer may not be the same for everyone.
Today, there exists a wide variety of decking material choices that are certain to satisfy every client’s needs and budget. In this guide, we will look at composite vs wood decking, as well as discuss PVC decking and hardwood alternatives. After reading, we are confident you will find the perfect decking material for your next deck project.
Wood Decking
Cost $-$$$$
Though the trend is slowly shifting, wood remains the most popular choice for the majority of deck-building projects in 2021. Growing organically, wood is the world’s only naturally renewable mainstream building material! There are many different types of wood available for your decking project, with prices, appearance, and availability varying widely.
Pressure-Treated Softwood Decking
By far the most popular type of wood for decking is pressure-treated softwood. It has the lowest up-front cost of all the wood types and has a wonderfully natural look and feel. Pressure-treated decks can be stained or sealed in virtually any colour, and when done correctly, will ensure your deck stands up to the elements for many years.
Pressure-treated decking and lumber undergo a process that imparts chemical preservatives deep into the wood via high pressure. This pressure-treating process protects it from insects and environmental exposures like moisture. Pressure-treated softwood lumber can often last decades longer than its non-treated counterparts.
To maximize the lifespan of a pressure-treated deck, we recommended that it be re-stained or sealed every 2 years. Other maintenance should include regular pressure washing or scrubbing to slow the surface dulling. These maintenance costs should be factored into the overall cost when selecting a decking material.
Pressure-treated lumber is extremely versatile, long-lasting and cost-effective. Regardless of the type of decking and finishing you choose, pressure-treated lumber will be used for the framing and sub-structure.
Cedar Decking
Cedar is naturally rot and insect resistant due to its chemical composition, making it a common choice for decking material. Like pressure-treated wood, cedar is also a softwood and can be stained or sealed in a variety of colours. Cedar and pressure-treated wood are generally very similar in appearance, with cedar having a slightly tighter grain pattern and a slight reddish-orange hue. This tight grain pattern allows you to finish your deck with a smooth feel if desired.
Cedar decks have similar maintenance requirements to pressure-treated decks and should be resealed every two years. Costing significantly more than pressure-treated lumber, and only nominally lower than entry-level composites, we rarely recommend cedar as the main decking material.
Exotic Hardwood Decking
Redwood and exotic hardwoods such as Ipe, Mahogany, and Teak can also be used for a deck surface. These woods come untreated, and though some possess natural rot-resistant characteristics, they should be stained or sealed to prevent rot. Prices and availability vary but in general, redwood and hardwoods cost substantially more than pressure-treated and cedar decking, and can even exceed the price of modern composite materials. Many hardwoods must be custom ordered from a mill on a per-project basis, which can drastically increase the project cost and lead time.
Because hardwood decking is often milled to order, it’s often available in a wider variety of widths and profiles, when compared to pressure-treated and composite decking.
Like other wood decks, hardwoods require maintenance such as regular cleaning and re-sealing.
Wood Deck Maintenance
Maintenance time and costs are often overlooked when selecting a material for a new deck build. It’s important to factor this into the decision process. Regardless of the type of wood, wood decks should be stained and sealed after building. Wood decks also need to be stained and sealed every 2 years in order to slow/prevent weathering and moisture absorption, and ultimately, rot. Check out our free deck staining and sealing guide to learn more. Regular pressure washing and scrubbing are also necessary in order to maintain the finish, or your deck may turn a dull-grey colour. If you’re looking for more information regarding maintaining your wood deck, check out our free wood deck maintenance guide!
Wood Deck Durability
Even with regular maintenance, it’s important to note that a wood deck doesn’t last forever, and unlike modern composite materials, extended material warranties are rarely offered on wood products. Boards can often splinter or warp from exposure to the sun creating an unsightly and possibly dangerous situation. Further, wood products almost always have natural blemishes and variations. If uniformity is very important to you, and the thought of seeing knots or checking (natural cracks along the grain) in your wood is worrying, natural wood decking probably isn’t the right choice for you. Insects can also wreak havoc on a wood deck, with termites being the biggest offender. Wood decks can be extremely durable and last decades, but it’s important to keep in mind, the many factors working against them.
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Composite Decking
Cost $$-$$$$
Composite decking is highly durable and resistant to the elements, and is available in a wide variety of colours and finishes, making it a great material choice for your new deck! Composite decking materials encompass a wide variety of products across various suppliers. The composition of composite deck boards varies from product to product, but typically, they are made out of wood flour (a recycled wood product), PVC, Polyethylene, crushed minerals, or a polypropylene blend. The word composite means that it is made up of various parts or elements.
Popular brands of composite decking include TREX, TimberTech, and Fiberon.
Composite Decking Cost
Because the material options from suppliers can vary widely, so do the price points. When comparing material costs strictly and omitting maintenance expenses, composite decking typically ranges from between 50%-300% more than pressure-treated decking. When maintenance costs are factored into the equation, the price separation becomes far less substantial, with many consumers being able to recoup the added cost of a composite deck in as little as 5 years.
Environmental Impact
Because composite decking utilizes a variety of recycled materials, it is often considered an eco-friendly decking choice. Though wood decking is naturally renewable, species are often harvested at a faster rate than they can be grown, creating a sustainability issue. This is especially true with western red cedar, where choice cuts can only be found in trees ranging from 150-250 years old! No new trees are harvested for the construction of composite deck boards, making them an excellent choice for ecologically conscious consumers.
Maintenance and Durability
One of the greatest benefits of composite decking materials is that they are virtually maintenance-free! Unlike wood, composite decking never needs to be stained or sealed, saving you thousands of dollars over the lifespan of the deck. Composite decking is also highly resistant to colour fading and wear, which means your deck will stay looking new for far longer than a wood deck! Though composite decking is very durable, the surface can scratch if heavy or sharp objects are slid across. Warranties of 25 years are the industry standard for composite decking materials.
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PVC Decking
Cost $$$-$$$$$
PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) decking, sometimes called polymer or capped polymer decking, is a 100% wood-free decking material alternative. Unlike composite decking, PVC decking contains no wood at all. Like composite materials, PVC decking is offered by a variety of different manufacturers, with Azek by TimberTech, Zuri Premium Decking, and Clubhouse Decking being three popular choices.
In terms of cost, lifespan, and appearance, PVC decking shares very similar traits with composite decking, but there are a few differences that stand out. The major benefit of PVC decking over composite or wood is that it doesn’t absorb any moisture.
PVC Decking Cost
PVC or polymer decking typically has the highest up-front cost of all the decking materials, though some options may be on-par with composite. Prices vary based on manufacturer and product lines. As with composites, the price separation between wood and PVC lessens when factoring in the maintenance costs over the lifespan of the deck.
PVC Decking Maintenance and Durability
PVC decking is extremely durable, and resists fade and wear very well. When compared to composite, PVC takes a slight advantage in this category offering exceptional fade and wear resistance. Also, because PVC decking contains no wood fibres, it will never absorb any moisture. This makes it an excellent choice for installation near water, such as near a pool or lake. Warranties of at least 25 years are industry standard.
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Which is the best decking material for you?
Thanks to modern technology, there are a plethora of decking material choices available to consumers today. From high-tech composite materials to traditional wood, there is a perfect decking material for everyone!
The best decking material choice comes down to your personal preference, style, and ultimately your budget. For customers that can afford the higher up-front material cost of composite or PVC decking, we always recommend these materials over wood. There is a color, style, and price-point perfect for almost everyone! For budget-conscious consumers who don’t mind putting in some extra maintenance work every year, wood can be an excellent, tasteful decking material that will last many, many years.
Whichever decking material you are looking for, Align Decking can help. Send us an email, or call us at (289) 231-8039 and speak with one of our decking experts today! We can’t wait to hear from you.