We can’t deny it—getting a new deck is quite an investment. It’s also the source of many questions and decisions. You’re probably wondering what color you should get or how this deck will complement your home. Finally, you’re likely at a standstill because you have many material options. Several grains, color gradients, and other factors go into deck materials. If you’re wondering what to choose, we’ll clarify the differences between PVC (polyvinyl chloride) plastic decking and composite decking below. 

PVC Decking

Unlike composite decking, PVC decking completely consists of artificial materials. Composite is a mixture of plastic and wood, but PVC decking is 100-percent plastic. It minimizes the amount of preservation and maintenance you must do overall. It also prevents common problems with wooden decks, such as insect infections and mold issues. 

Don’t let the plastic composition make you underestimate PVC. It can mimic conventional wood decking options like cedar, redwood, and mahogany. Unlike wooden decking, cleaning it is simple—just pressure wash it occasionally, and you’ll be good to go.

Composite Decking

Composite decking combines recycled plastic and wood pulp. In that way, it has wood inside. It also contains high-density polyethylene, a plastic companies use to make buckets, milk jugs, and detergent bottles. Composite decking is revolutionary and has completely revitalized artificial decking. It’s both affordable and accessible, especially in contrast with more expensive wood materials like red cedar. Like PVC decking, it also resists insects and moisture. This leads to greater variation in the kinds of styles that manufacturers can implement. 

What Are the Differences?

However, there are some key differences. PVC decking tends to be easier to install, though both options have similar installation processes. This is because PVC decking is more lightweight compared to composite. It’s also a material that’s convenient for DIYers and easy to manipulate and deal with. Furthermore, PVC decking is far more protective against wood rot than composite since it doesn’t contain any wood pulp. However, composite decking can look better than PVC decking because of its wood pulp. These are some of the key differences between composite and PVC decking.  

If you’re interested in getting a deck, check out the services of our  custom deck builders. We’ll take care of you and help answer any questions you might have about your deck. Contact us today.