By Kelin
Fri, Feb 27, 2026

What is Composite Decking Made of?

Decks are important places that connect life inside and outside. Material choice is very important. Composite wood decking has become the most popular choice on the market because it works so well and is good for the environment. This long-lasting, low-maintenance material is mostly made up of recycled plastic and wood fibers. It is also mixed with UV inhibitors and colorants. Moreover, capped composite decking has a polymer layer that protects it.

This piece talks about what exactly is in composite decking. Learn more about the durable, visually pleasing, and low-maintenance outdoor material.

Table of Contents

What is Composite Decking Material?

Composite decking is not a single material. With today’s industrial technology, two plastics and wood fibers were deeply mixed to make this new material. Its core concept lies in:

Fibers from wood give things their shape, stiffness, and power. They also give the material some thermal expansion factors and make it easy to work with, like wood.
Plastic is very good at keeping things waterproof, resistant to wetness, resistant to rot, and resistant to insects. Besides that, it firmly wraps around the wood fibers.
A lot of recycled plastic and leftover wood are used to make composite decking. It turns things that could be trash into useful things, which is very good for the world.

More Durable & Waterproof Composite Decking CPD-05

EVODEK unique two-tone art color technology gives you a stunning natural wood look so you can enjoy the great outdoors.

View Details

Material Composition of Composite Decking

The performance of composite decking directly depends on its formulation. It is mostly made up of the following types of material:

Plastics

Plastics and wood fibers form the skeleton and substance of composite decking. They typically account for over 90% of the total mass. These things can be said about the plastics in composite decking:

Plastic Part: About 45 to 55 percent of composite decks is made up of plastic. But the amounts range from one manufacturer to the next.
Types of Plastic: Polypropylene (PP) and high-density polyethylene (HDPE) are the most popular types of plastic used. They are very tough, don’t break down in bad weather, and are easy to work with.
Plastic Sources: Most of them use recycled plastics that have already been used, like milk bottles, shampoo bottles, and plastic bags. This not only saves money but is also very good for the environment.

Wood Fiber

Recycled wood fiber is another important part of composite decking. The following things can be said about it:

Wood Fiber Portion: About 45 to 55 percent of composite decks is made up of wood fiber. The function and appearance of composite decking are affected by the different formulations.
Sources of Wood Fibers: Most of the wood fibers in composite decks come from recycled waste wood products or sawdust and shavings made by wood processing plants.

Other Additives

In addition to plastic and wood fibers, composite decking has other things added to it. Even though they are present in smaller amounts, these additives have a big effect on how long a product lasts, how it looks, and how stable it is.

Binders: Binders hold plastics and wood fibers together tightly. These keep the material from peeling or cracking when it absorbs water or is under a lot of stress, which keeps it strong overall. As binders in decking materials, thermosetting resins such as epoxy and polyurethane are often used.
UV Stabilizers: The sun’s ultraviolet rays are the worst thing for things that are left outside. UV stabilizers successfully absorb or block UV rays, which keeps decks from turning colors and wearing down. They are necessary parts for keeping the color and function.
Colorants: You can choose a lot of different colors for composite decks, from traditional wood tones to modern gray and white shades. Through-dyeing technology is often used in composite decks. Because these colorants go deep into the material, even scratches on the surface are less visible.

Polymer Shell

This is a key feature of capped composite decking. It protects the top of the composite decking even more with co-extrusion technology. Adding this makes the decks more resistant to stains, mildew, and bad weather. It has the following traits:

Protected Layer Material: The protected layer is usually made of a plastic polymer that is more resistant to wear and weather. It covers the outside of the core material tightly and evenly.
What the Protective Layer Does: The protective layer protects the inner composite center physically. It keeps the core from coming into close contact with water, stains, and UV light.
How Well the Protective Layer Works: The layer itself can have higher amounts of UV-, scratch-, and stain-resistant materials added to it. This makes the deck surface easier to clean, more durable, and better at keeping its color.
How the Protective Layer Looks: Manufacturers can stamp very realistic wood grain patterns onto the protective layer to make it feel and look like real wood.

Learn More: What Exactly Is Capped Composite Decking?

Material Composition of Composite Decking

Processing of Composite Deck Materials

The better qualities of composite decks come from the materials that are used to make them. To combine these materials, exact manufacturing methods are needed. At the moment, extrusion casting is the most common way to make things. Parts of the process are:

Using a high-speed mixer to mix exactly measured amounts of plastic pellets, wood flour, and other ingredients completely.
Putting the mixture into an extruder and heating it until it melts. The plastic melts all the way through and wraps around the wood fibers.
To make the profile, the melted material is forced through a die that has a specific cross-sectional shape.
The profile is cooled and set, and then it is pulled and cut to make the final decking board.

What Are the Advantages of Composite Decking Materials?

Based on the materials and methods described above, composite decking has many advantages over traditional wood:

Better Durability: composite decks get rid of the problems that come with solid wood. It lasts 25 to 30 years and doesn’t rot, crack, bend, or get damaged by insects.
Minimal Maintenance: Composite decking doesn’t need to be sanded, stained, or painted every year, so it’s very low-maintenance. Routine care includes cleaning and washing with soapy water every so often. The surface of capped composite decking makes it easier to clean and doesn’t stain easily.
Eco-friendly: This is one of the best things about composite decks. It uses a lot of recycled plastic and leftover wood, which cuts down on the need to cut down new forests and eases the stress on landfills.
Safe and Comfortable: The surface of composite decking is smooth and doesn’t split, so it’s safe to walk on. It’s very slippery-resistant, which makes it safer to use.
Stylish: Composite decking comes in a lot of different long-lasting colors. Modern surface embossing technology gives materials a true wood-like look and feel, meeting a wide range of design needs.

What Are the Advantages of Composite Decking Materials?

Conclusion

Composite decking is not just a wood option. It is a mix of material science and design that cares about the environment. If you choose composite decks, your outdoor living space will be easier to use and less stressful. Feel free to get in touch with us if you want to know more about composite decks. The customer service team at EVODEK is ready to answer your questions.

FAQ

Is Composite Decking More Expensive than Wood Decking?

At first, good composite decking usually costs more than regular pressure-treated lumber. But over the course of its whole life, a composite is cheaper. It doesn’t need much care and lasts a long time, which cuts down on costs for both maintenance and replacement.

Does Composite Decking Get Slippery in Winter?

No. Most types of composite decks have surfaces that won’t slip. Their grip in wet situations is often better than that of solid, smooth wood boards. Of course, when it’s cold or icy outside, any surface can become loose. Quick clearing of snow is necessary.

Does Composite Decking Fade?

Things that are left out in the sun will fade in some way over time. But high-quality composite decks have UV stabilizers built in that make the fading process much slower. As a result, it keeps its color much longer than real wood.

Can Composite Decking be Painted or Stained?

Not recommended at all. The surfaces of composite decking do not need any upkeep. They were dyed all the way through. Most of the time, paint or stain doesn’t stick well. This could make the deck surface peel, flake, and get a spotted look that is hard to get rid of. If you want to change the color, picking out the board color before placement is the best way to do it.

What Material is Best for The Support Structure Beneath Composite Decking?

The material of the deck frame is very important for making sure that the whole deck system will last for a long time. Normal wood that hasn’t been cleaned is not at all a good idea because water and bugs can damage the structure from below. Choices that are suggested:

Same Brand Composite Decking: This is the best choice for building a composite deck frame. It has the same rate of thermal expansion and contraction as the decking panels, doesn’t rot or attract pests, and lasts the same amount of time.
High-quality Pressure-treated Wood: If you choose pressure-treated lumber, make sure it is completely dry and may need to be checked on a regular basis.
Galvanized Steel or Aluminum: The metal frame is very strong and lasts a long time. It is the most expensive choice, but it is the best at resisting rot and can be installed precisely.