What You Need To Know About Trex Vs Plastic Decking

It is best known for its ability to repel water in areas with heavy rains. The boards only represent about30% to 40%of the total material pricing. You'll also need to pay for additional supplies, such as the composite railing at$10 to $30 per linear footand posts, which run$30 to $75 each. Composites are made in a range of profiles to make boards lighter, easier to install, or both. If you’re looking for low maintenance, high value, and serious aesthetic appeal, PVC decking is the clear choice.

Wolf® Decking

Capped with 100% synthetic material on 3 sides and including a 25 year fade/stain warranty, Edge is a good option for quality decking at an affordable price. As more and more people are opting for composite decking instead of traditional wood, the competition has become quite fierce. This has left many people wondering, is Trex Decking better than PVC? PVC decking is nothing like composite decking and especially Trex Decking. Snap-in-place fasteners are easy to install but unique to specific brands.

What To Know About Deck Railing Height

One brand of aluminum decking we tested snaps together, much the way tongue-and-groove flooring does. A vinyl decking product we reviewed snapped in place over metal clips screwed onto the joists. Many of the synthetic products are available in colors such as white, gray, and several shades of brown. Surface textures include smooth , subtle wood grain, ridges, and other decidedly nonwood-like patterns. Some composite planks are flexible enough to be easily curved into patterns or shapes that would be expensive to duplicate in solid wood. CR members with digital access can see our Decking Ratings, which reflect our updated, two-year exposure score. Our tests showed that some synthetic decking didn't make the grade for rigidity, and some tonier wood products look worse for wear.

Timbertech Pro Vs Azek: Which Decking Is Best For You?

Edge-fastening looks good because the screws are hidden, but face-fastening is faster, stronger, and easier to fix. When face-fastening, use screws designed only for composites. This decking bubbles up around standard bugle-head deck screws .

If your decking has cracks, looks dirty, or suffers from mildew, it's time to decide whether to refinish or replace it entirely. We test, evaluate, and compare different types of decking to save you time and money.

Build it from something other than wood like PVC decking boards. No matter where you live, Trex composite decking is backed by a 25-Year Limited Residential Warranty. It’s engineered to stand up to harsh weather and decades of foot traffic. Some PVC decking materials can fade or peel as a result of exposure to the elements. Although the two decking types share some similarities, there are important differences to consider when choosing PVC vs. composite decking.

PVC deck materials typically are 10 to 15 percent higher than wood-composite. Lastly, composite manufacturers often use a higher percentage of recycled material while PVC is often manufactured from virgin materials. If reducing your carbon footprint is important, research the manufacturer you’re considering for recycled content claims. Vinyl decking is used to help eliminate water from seeping below the surface of a deck and is more of a protective membrane than a proper deck board material. You cannot use vinyl decking to create a solid structure that can bear weight on its own. It can only be used to create a waterproof seal when used over the top of another, sturdier material. Get tips on how to find the right wood materials for your deck.

The ends of manufactured deck boards are ugly, and you don't want to leave them exposed. The easiest solution is to raise the fascia board so the top is flush with the top of the decking . But keep in mind that most fascia/skirt boards are 11-1/4 in.

Below, we’ll take a closer look at capped polymer decking. There are major benefits to both capped polymer and capped composite boards. The product line you choose will depend on your investment level, design goals, and ultimate vision you have for your outdoor oasis.

All Sharing Options For:

Composite blend can be routed on the edges, ripped down the board, and even bent easily to fit almost any space. You can’t do these to PVC boards, and although the material can be bent, doing so is more labor-intensive, as it requires the use of special tools. ft. deck, you can expect to spend around $4K–$6K in materials for Capped Composite and $5K–$8K on Capped Polymer decking.

Stay up to 30 degrees cooler than competitive composite products. Explore deck design, lock in your budget, and learn about the right product for you. Economists not only look at the initial cost of an action, but the future costs as well. When shopping for a new deck, you need to shop like a good economist. How much time and money will it take to maintain your deck?

Furthermore, in the long run PVC will cost more because it will eventually need to be replaced and/or repaired. Your Trex decking will never need repairs and will last for decades. PVC eventually oxidizes leaving it with a white and chalky appearance. This discoloration is even more visible with the darker PVC decking colors.

• However, it can lead to a bit more “bounce” than composites once installed.
• PVC and composites alike should be intermittently swept or hosed off to remove dirt and debris.
• Both expand and contract with temperature changes and manufacturer’s guidelines should be followed carefully.
• Both PVCand composite decking require less maintenance than wood.
• PVC and composites also both often have “hidden” fastening options that reduce the outward appearance of the installed decking for a more polished look.

To help make your decision easier we list their differences and similarities below. Now that we’ve looked at the basics of composite and PVC decking products, we can take a closer look at Timbertech Pro vs. Azek decking.

Deck boards with a core made from a blend of engineered materials (like recycled plastics, HDPE, etc.) and organic materials , with an engineered cap. With its initial price typically in between wood and cellular PVC, a casual observer might consider composite decking a great middle ground. As a result of having this organic filler, it’s still quite susceptible to many of the same disadvantages as a wooden deck. Aside from those downsides, composite decking is also susceptible to scratching because the wood makes it softer.