PVC vs Composite Decking (Differences & Pros and Cons)

Here’s our guide to PVC vs composite decking including their pros and cons, cost differences, warranty and which deck types are best.
A deck provides a great place to visit with family and friends, have a barbecue, and enjoy your morning coffee. Traditionally, decks were made with wood and stained with a high-quality oil stain.

However, composite and PVC, both alternatives to wood, are fast outselling wood when homeowners choose to install a deck in their yard or the front of their house.These synthetic materials are forecast by researchers to represent 40% of the total value of decking sold in years to come.

PVC and composite decking materials are low maintenance, long-lasting. Both materials stand up well to the rigors of hot sun, frigid winters, and severe weather.

No two decks are alike, and the materials a homeowner chooses are based on the look, design, and functionality they want for their deck. PVC and composite decking are very similar, yet have several differences.

This guide explains what PVC and composite decking is made from, the type of maintenance required, durability, the pros and cons, and the cost to help you make the best choice for your outdoor deck project.

What are PVC Deck Boards?

PVC is short for polyvinyl chloride, a common plastic used worldwide to manufacture products such as packaging, building materials, window frames, and decking. PVC decking is not the same as vinyl decking. There are significant differences between the two.

PVC deck boards are manufactured with materials that include high-strength plastic. Vinyl cannot be made into deck boards. Instead, it’s used to create a rolled-out material used for weatherproofing an existing deck.

PVC deck boards contain plastic and synthetic materials only. They won’t promote mold growth and are moisture resistant. And because they’re not made with any organic materials, PVC deck boards resist insect infestation and damages. For eco-friendly options, PVC deck boards are often made from recycled plastic.

PVC deck boards are slip-resistant, do not easily dent, and are flame resistant. They make a superior product for decks with a lot of foot traffic and use. Because of their water-resistant qualities, they are appropriate for decking in areas near bodies of water or around a pool.

PVC Decking Pros and Cons

PVC decking includes pros and cons that are essential to consider when choosing the material for your deck project. The location of the deck and the amount of use it gets affects the decision to choose one material over the other.

Pros

• Water and mold resistant
• Insect infestation resistant
• Resistant to color fading
• No painting or staining needed
• Lightweight yet durable
• Often manufactured from recycled materials

Cons

• Some materials such as rubber may cause discoloring when used on the deck
• Does not look as much like natural wood as a composite deck does

What is Composite Decking?

Composite decking is made by mixing plastics and wood fibers and then molding the material into boards. The reason manufacturers mix the two materials is to provide a stronger product by adding the wood fiber and using the plastic to protect the wood from moisture.

Brands of composite decking may contain some recycled materials. The original inventors of composite materials designed them for window and door frames.

If composite decking manufacturers do not use the proper mixture of wood fiber and plastic, the boards may absorb moisture, causing cracking, warping, or rotting. Composite decking looks more like natural wood than PVC decking and comes at a higher cost.

Composite Decking Pros and Cons

Here’s the pros and cons of composite decking to see how it compares against PVC deck material.

Pros

• Long lasting & durable
• Looks more natural compared to PVC decking
• Wide range of colors available
• Less maintenance compared to wood
• Can be constructed using recycled materials

Cons

• Composite is more expensive then wood
• Not fully maintenance free
• Needs to be built on a treated lumber frame
• Colors (Especially darker) may fade over time

PVC vs Composite Decking Cost

The quality of both PVC and composite decking affects the price, but in general, composite decking is more expensive. Another essential item to consider is the length of the manufacturer’s warranty.

There have been brands in the past that absorbed too much moisture and cracked or warped. While companies can offer a refund, they typically don’t offer to come to your home and remove the defective decking.

The cost, trouble, and labor to replace a deck with cracked and warped boards can be more expensive than the original deck project cost.

The chart below is a guide to average costs for PVC and composite decking, including the brand warranty. Composite decking is typically more expensive.

As mentioned, the quality and color choices and whether grooved or not, make a difference in the price. This chart is provided as an idea of the price differences between PVC and composite decking. Many factors, including your location, will affect the cost of deck boards.

BRAND	MATERIAL	STRUCTURAL WARRANTY	STAIN & FADE WARRANTY	12 FOOT BOARD AVG PRICE
TimberTech AZEK	PVC	Limited Lifetime	50-Years	$60 to $85
Fiberon Paramount	PVC	Lifetime	50-Years	$57 to $65
Timber Tech Pro	Composite	30-Years	30-Years	$40 to $70
Fortress Building Products Apex	Composite	30-Years	30-Years	$110 to $75

Read more about Timbertech vs Trex decking here.

Pros and Cons of PVC vs Composite Decking

Gray PVC material with deck railing.

While there are pros and cons for both materials, there are many similarities between PVC and composite decking. The similarities are listed below:

• Cost-saving
• Low maintenance
• Durable
• Resists moisture and mold
• Insect-resistant
• Both products have various color choices
• Lighter than wood decking
• Do not have to be restained or painted
• Easy to install

Both PVC and composite deck decking are equally fade-resistant based on the quality and brand. PVC decking is more synthetic in appearance, while composite decking better resembles natural wood.

Composite decking has a shorter structural warranty than PVC, and both products have similar stain and fade warranties. Stains from food items such as ketchup, mustard, sauces, spilled foods, and drinks are rarely hard to clean on both PVC and composite decking.

Maintenance for both PVC and composite deck boards is easy. Sweeping, hosing down the deck with water, and removing the debris between the boards keeps the deck clean and looking good.

Both products are eco-friendly, with PVC typically made from recycled plastic that can be recycled again.

Composite decking may be eco-friendly but is commonly made with both wood fibers and plastics and not recyclable. Still, many companies make their composite decking with recycled materials.

Compared to wood decking, PVC and composite are lighter and easier to install. PVC is more lightweight than composite and may bounce when in use.

Both products include hidden fastening options to create a clean and polished look for your deck. See more backyard deck ideas here.

Which is Better PVC or Composite Decking?

Visually, PVC deck boards have a surface texture with a linear wood grain pattern. Composite decking typically has a surface texture made with a wood grain pattern.

While there are other options, composite decking tends to look more like natural wood. PVC can have a more pronounced wood texture, which could make it look more synthetic.

Both PVC and composite deck board manufacturers offer multi-toned or streaked boards to look even more natural.

Manufacturers offer both PVC and composite in various shades and textures. The color stays for the deck’s lifetime because both PVC and composite decking cannot be painted or stained.

In areas where there are high levels of rain or if building a deck used in water, such as a lake or river, PVC is the better choice. PVC is much more water-resistant and anti-mold than composite.

The differences between PVC and composite decking are few. A homeowner’s choice for decking material depends on each brand’s quality, colors, and options.

Installing a deck in a yard is not only a structural undertaking; the design choices, shape, and purpose have a bearing on the type of deck boards. If you are interested in creating your own deck layout you can find the most popular deck design software programs on this page.

Knowing the pros and cons, and options offered by each decking material helps you to decide which material type is the best for your project.

Which is your favorite when it comes to PVC vs composite decking? Let us know in the comments to share your thoughts.