Which Is Better, PVC or WPC Decking?
Today, homeowners interested in building a deck have more options than ever before. There are more and more different deck materials on the market. So, which trim material is better for house deck plans? Two of the most common decking materials available today are PVC and WPC.
While PVC and composite decking board share many similarities, they are fundamentally different. Have you considered using composite or PVC decking material when constructing a deck in your backyard? What distinguishes them from one another? Which one ought you to select? For your convenience, we shall contrast the features of each kind of decking board.
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Table of Contents
Composite Decking Material
Composite decking is a common term used to describe wood-plastic composite decking for short. Recyclable polymers and wood fibers are combined to create composite materials. These materials are thoroughly mixed and then extruded through an extruder to produce the finished composite decking boards. As a result, composite decking is a man-made deck trim material that comes in a variety of different sizes and colors.
| Pros | Cons |
| Versatile color options | Flexible boards require specific substructure installation |
| Durable | |
| Weather resistant | |
| Mold and mildew-resistant | |
| Real wood looks | |
| Low maintenance | |
| Slip-resistant | |
| UV resistant |
Plastic buckets and bags, as well as spent shampoo and soap cartridges, are sources of recyclable plastics. The brand of composite decking determines what kind of wood or plastic is used and how well it functions. Many businesses that produce composite decking employ lower-quality recycled polymers and wood fibers to reduce expenses.
As a result, we must be careful to select high-quality composite decking when making our choice. Some of the common brands of quality composite decking on the market today are Trex, EVODEK, Timbertech, and Fibron. Different decking brands have different advantages and disadvantages. Learn about their differences and choose the composite deck brand that best suits your needs.
PVC Decking
The synthetic material polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is used to make PVC decking. It is mostly used for fences, decks, and trim. PVC is frequently used for outdoor decks because of its extended lifespan and ease of maintenance. It is an excellent option for outdoor spaces because it is resistant to water and insects. However, once PVC decking breaks, it can be challenging to fix.
| Pros | Cons |
| Versatile color options | Upfront cost |
| Durable | |
| Weather resistant | |
| Mold and mildew-resistant | |
| Real wood looks | Low-quality or outdated PVC materials may be slippery or retain heat buildup |
| Lightweight | |
| Low maintenance |
If the weather is humid where you live, or if you plan to build a pool deck. Then, a PVC deck made entirely of plastic has great advantages. You don’t need to worry about PVC decks getting damp, moldy, and rotting.
Of course, PVC decking has a more pronounced plastic texture. As a result, it’s less suitable for homeowners who want a natural wood grain. In addition, its initial cost is usually higher than that of composite decking. This is also one of its drawbacks.
Differences Between Composite Decking and PVC Decking
Earlier, we covered PVC and composite decking separately. Next, it’s time for you to move on to the differences between them. This way, you can choose the right deck trim material for your needs.
Surface Texture
WPC decking has the ability to mimic real wood in both surface and texture during the product process. The surface texture of composite decking is very similar to solid wood. Those who have used wood decks before will notice this. Furthermore, unlike wood decking, composite decking boards have a frosted and grooved surface.
Just like composite wood decking, PVC decking is a man-made material for deck trim. As a result, PVC is also offered in a grooved and simulated wood-grain finish. Despite this, PVC decking has a more pronounced plastic texture. This is because it consists only of plastics such as polyvinyl chloride.
That is, following an examination of the surfaces of PVC and composite wood decking for texture. We can find these two popular deck trim materials in a variety of surface textures and colors.
Visual Appeal or Aesthetics
PVC and composite decking are readily available for purchase. The majority of homeowners favor this deck design because it resembles real wood decking. Many customers want their deck to blend in with the rest of the natural surroundings of their garden. Therefore, they prefer the natural look of wood.
Because PVC is composed entirely of plastic. So it seems artificial even though it has a wood grain design. Conversely, composite decking is composed of several materials and wood fibers. These components give composite decking a more realistic appearance, making it more aesthetically pleasing than PVC decking.
If you are planning to create a new deck and want it to look like real wood. Then you should consider buying a composite deck. WPC decks not only give you the feel of a solid wood deck, but they also don’t require regular maintenance.
Care and Maintenance
One of the key benefits of composite decking and PVC decking is their ease of maintenance and upkeep. These decking materials don’t need to be painted, sanded, or sealed like wood decking does. It’s simple to remove stains from PVC or composite decking by washing it with a mild soap solution.
Every two years, wood decks need to have routine maintenance performed. Wood decks can vary in price per maintenance. Depending on the size and condition of the wood deck, the price can range from a few hundred dollars to several thousand dollars. In contrast, PVC and composite decking require the same amount of maintenance.
These decking materials don’t require a lot of money for upkeep and require little maintenance. All you have to do to keep PVC and composite decking looking good is give it a periodic cleaning with a soft bristle brush and hot, soapy water.
Expansion and Contraction
It is better to use composite decking when it comes to board expansion and contraction. The planks are stiffer because the composite decking composition incorporates wood fibers. This implies that as the temperature fluctuates, they are less prone to contract and expand.
On the other hand, PVC decking is less durable. This increases the likelihood that it will expand and warp at high temperatures. If you live in a place where the weather is extremely hot, extremely cold, or where the temperature varies greatly. Then a WPC deck may be the best choice for you.
Eco-friendly
When choosing an outdoor deck, a common consideration among many is whether or not the deck material is environmentally friendly. Put another way, PVC and composite materials get more environmentally friendly as deck producers work to employ recyclable components.
The ease of recycling a material is a crucial factor in evaluating its environmental friendliness. PVC decking outperforms composite decking materials in this regard. Compared to PVC, composites are difficult to recycle. This is because they require specialized equipment to separate the plastic from the wood in the deck.
On the other hand, PVC decking is easily recyclable because it is composed completely of plastic. But it’s crucial to keep in mind that PVC decking isn’t always recyclable. The plastic that was utilized to create the PVC deck has a major impact on this.
Weight
Since solid composite decking is heavier than PVC decking, you need stronger framing to support it. This implies that the joist centers must be closer together and that the subframes need to be made of more material. Heavier deck boards can also create transportation headaches.
Nevertheless, a few producers of composite decking also offer hollow composite decking. The weight of hollow composite decking planks is significantly less. The weight of hollow composite decking and PVC trim boards is comparable. However, PVC decking weighs less overall.
Safety
Safety should always be taken into account when purchasing an outdoor deck. People can slip and fall on wood and other types of decks, so they’re not always safe. In the event that the deck boards crack or buckle, pedestrians may also sustain injuries.
Composite decking outperforms wood and PVC decking in moist conditions. The decking boards made of composite material are non-slip. In addition, a variety of WPC decks have a three-dimensional wood grain surface. These wood grains increase the friction on the deck surface. There is less chance of people slipping as a result of this increase in friction. Consequently, 3D wood-grain surfaces improve the deck’s appearance while simultaneously enhancing its safety.
Furthermore, deck boards with a grooved surface are provided by certain composite decking producers. Surface-grooved composite decking planks offer superior anti-slip characteristics. It does not need to be concerned about slipping in wet or snowy conditions. Additionally, grooved composite decking can provide you with a unique deck design.
The greatest and safest option is composite decking boards if you reside in a region with a lot of precipitation. It is obvious that when it comes to decking, safety is one of your top priorities. Composite decking is the greatest choice in this situation.
Lifespan
Compared to other deck trim materials, PVC decking is more durable. It is made entirely of synthetic materials for this reason. PVC decking resists weathering and rotting quite well. Some PVC decks of superior quality have a 50-year lifespan.
Although composite decking might not last as long as PVC decking. But it does last a lot longer than wood decking. Composite decking can last 25 years or more. A properly maintained and cared for wood deck will only last 10 to 15 years.
Which is Less Expensive? PVC or WPC Decking?
When upgrading their houses, many homeowners prefer to spend as little money as possible. Because of this, we advise utilizing composite decking material, which is an excellent and reasonably priced alternative.
The least expensive option for standard deck trim materials is pressure-treated wood decking. However, wood decking needs routine upkeep, which can run into several hundred dollars per project. On the other hand, PVC and low-maintenance composite decking require almost no maintenance. As a result, PVC decking and composite decking are more affordable than wood decking. And they both last much longer than wood decking.
PVC decking is more expensive than composite decking. Thus, composite decking is most likely the greatest option for low-cost, high-quality decking. But it’s crucial to keep in mind that cost typically corresponds with quality. The cost of decorative decking will vary depending on the quality and brand you choose.
Brand and Quality Are Both Vital
One element that might alter the cost of PVC and WPC decking is the brand. Many well-known PVC brands manufacture different grades of PVC decking. For example, companies such as AZEK and TimberTech offer decking products at different price points. PVC decking comes in a wider variety of pricing per square meter because the quality varies from line to line.
Naturally, a superior product will cost more money. Stated differently, basic composite decking cannot be compared to high-quality PVC, and vice versa. Superior quality composite decking costs more than ordinary PVC. Reputable manufacturers of composite decking include Trex, Fiberon, EVODEK, and others.
To have a decent understanding of a product’s value, you must compare items that are in the same quality and price range. To make up your mind, though, you might still need to browse internet evaluations.
Which One Should You Select?
There are benefits to both PVC and composite decking. They are unquestionably more resilient than wood. When wet, neither of these decking materials will rot, mildew, or fracture. The low cost and minimal upkeep of installing PVC and composite decking are further advantages. Wood decking is more expensive in the long run than PVC or composite decking because it requires more upkeep.
The shortcomings of PVC decking are not present in high-quality composite decking. In excessively hot temperatures, PVC expands and warps. Best composite decking likewise expands and contracts with temperature changes. Composites hold their shape better than PVC because they are made of wood. This suggests that in warmer climates, composite decking might be a preferable option.
In general, composite decking is preferable to PVC due to its natural appearance. Certain composite decking materials possess a distinct grain pattern and texture that imitates the appearance and feel of wood. Although some PVC decking does have a wood-grain finish, the plastic texture is more noticeable.
Remember that there is no right or wrong response. People search for various kinds of deck boards since there are differences in the needs of various outdoor projects. However, we’ve discovered that the majority of homeowners desire to select a deck material that is reasonably priced, long-lasting, and attractive. If this describes your needs, we advise you to use composite decking material since it satisfies each one of them.
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