Are you planning to build or simply renovate an existing deck? It is a significant project that includes several smaller tasks you have to complete. One of those tasks is choosing the decking material. Even though this may seem to be an easy job at first, once you start researching your options, you may realize this is not true.
Since there are so many options you can choose between, we will focus on the two most popular decking types in this article. That’s right. We are talking about PVC and composite ones. Here are some main features of both of these types, as well as their pros and cons.
What’s the main difference?
Before we start listing the reasons you should or should go with one of these options, let us explain the main difference between them. First of all, composite decking is a mixture of wood and plastic fibers. When it comes to the former, manufacturers use wood waste, such as sawdust. On the other hand, they also use recycled plastic that comes from all kinds of items. The ratio of wood and plastic fibers mainly depends on the manufacturer, so there are no general guidelines.
On the other note, PVC decking is made entirely out of plastic. No, there are no other materials used during the production process. It goes without saying that this material is completely recycled, and in fact, it is one of the reasons PVC one is so popular nowadays.
Aesthetic appearance
Now, let’s talk about the features you should consider before making a purchase. The very first thing many people want to learn is the appearance of the decking options. Even though this shouldn’t be a crucial thing to think about, it is an important one. After all, you want something that matches the overall design of your house and properties.
The thing is that nowadays, both of these options come in a variety of designs, patterns, and colors. If you are looking for something specific, you will have to do some research to explore them. However, if you want to build a wood-like deck, you should go with the composite one. Yes, you can find PVC decking with this aesthetic feature, but don’t forget that, unlike composite, PVC one doesn’t include any wood fiber, meaning that it won’t look very natural.
Safety
Yes, this is the next feature you have to consider before making the final decision. Depending on the patio’s location, you may have to go with a decking that has a non-slippery feature. This is especially important if you want to install it near the pool or any other water feature, where it will get wet often.
When it comes to this property, natural wood one is your best choice. However, since we are comparing composite and PVC, in this case, composite one takes the win once again. It is less slippery than the PVC one simply because it consists of wood fibers that produce friction. As already explained, PVC decking is entirely synthetic, meaning that it is 100% plastic.
Resistance to weather
Not many people think about investigating how certain materials act when exposed to harsh weather conditions. As you know, materials contract or expand, depending on the factors they are exposed to. Naturally, this difference won’t be very obvious, but the truth is that it can affect the quality and stability of the construction after some time. It is especially true when it comes to PVC decking. Once again, since it doesn’t include any natural fibers, PVC one isn’t very resistant to extreme heat or cold. As time goes by, it will lose its features, and since it will expand and contract several times, it can turn into a safety hazard. Due to this reason, if you live in an area where extreme heats are a common occurrence, you should probably go with composite decking, and you can learn more about it on dinodecking.co.uk.
Maintenance
It doesn’t matter how excited you are about completing this project in your backyard, you have to consider the maintenance requirements when choosing the decking. No, you probably won’t stay as enthusiastic as you are right now, and the last thing you need is another task on your never-ending to-do list. Nevertheless, maintenance is essential if you want to prolong its lifespan and enjoy it for as long as possible.
When it comes to the two options we have been comparing, PVC is a better choice. Why? Well, since it is 100% plastic, it requires minimal maintenance. All you have to do is use water, a cloth, and a cleaning product. The best part is that you won’t have to worry about mold and mildew since there are no natural fibers in it. As you surely know, this is not the case when it comes to composite decking, which will require a lot of your time and attention.
Installation
Some people decide to build an entire deck from scratch on their own. This is fine if you possess the skills and knowledge of how to do it. In addition, not only do you have to think about transportation and installation of these, but you also need to build a strong frame that can support the weight. If this is the case, you need to consider the weight of these options. As you can assume, generally speaking, PVC is lighter than composite. Nevertheless, some manufacturers offer hollow composite, but this type comes with an entirely new set of features.
Eco-friendly
Although this is not a critical requirement, many people want to contribute to the environment, so they tend to make eco-friendly choices. As already stated, both of these are made of recycled plastic and wood waste. Nevertheless, there is another question that arises. Can both of these be recycled? Technically yes, but the truth is that recycling composite decking is very difficult, and therefore, expensive. That’s right. It is because it is a mixture of synthetic and natural materials. So, if you want to go with something that can be reused, PVC is the right choice for you.
