Is Trex Decking Better Than Pvc?

PVC Decking provides a range of benefits and solutions that homeowners have struggled to find for years with previous decking options. Homeowners have long had the desire for a low maintenance decking product, and PVC, with its no-wood composition, certainly answers that need. Most will look similar, and have basic color choices, require some periodic cleaning, and care should be taken not to scratch or stain the decking.

Wolf® Decking

Deckorators balusters don't need to be painted or stained, which is probably the most tedious deck maintenance task there is. Manufactured decking isn't as stiff as wood decking, so it allows joists to bow. To help keep joists flat, always attach blocking perpendicular to the joists. Also, install diagonal blocking to keep the entire frame from racking. Use narrower lumber so the blocking looks less conspicuous from a distance. Once everything is secure, run a string on the top side of the joists and plane down the remaining high spots. Engineered lumber has been used inside buildings for years because it's stronger and straighter than regular lumber.

What To Know About Deck Railing Height

In hot, sunny areas, plastic decks can get very hot on the soles of the feet and actually radiate heat, making them uncomfortable. Still, for a virtually maintenance-free deck, plastic decking may be the answer. Plastic decking, which is 100 percent recyclable such as Azek, looks like wood. It might expand and contract in certain climates, loosening joints and making decks unstable. New metal balusters can give your existing wood deck a sleek, modern look. The round Classic Balusters are held in place by hidden connectors that require no hole drilling.

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 .

Based on their price point, though, wood decks can be the best decking material for some homeowners. Choose wood-composite decking when you want a low-maintenance material. Some composites can also resemble exotic wood species, giving you the best of both worlds. If you have children or just like walking barefoot, wood-composite ensures that you will avoid splinters. But the best benefit of wood-composite decking is that it is guaranteed not to rot or split, and it never needs a stain or other protective finish. When planning an outdoor deck, perhaps the biggest decision you face is which material to use for the decking. While most decks use pressure-treated wood lumber for the understructure (posts, beams, joists, etc.), the decking can be a completely different material—or not.

PVC does not come in the array of natural colors that Trex does. The designers of Trex have created three sophisticated color palettes to match your home to the outdoors.

Simply glue together three sides, slide them over the post, glue and clamp the last side in place, and then never worry about painting or staining again. Order it at home centers and lumberyards that carry Azek products. Composite is resistant to rot, mold, and termites, which can take their toll on wood decking materials. Composite decking requires minimal upkeep and can last between 25 and 30 years. On average, plastic decking has a similar lifespan to composite decking and can last nearly 30 years.

The best way to determine which decking is right for you is to schedule a free, at-home consultation with Erdmann Exteriors. Capped Composite and Capped Polymer (100% PVC) decking are excellent options for any outdoor space. Unlike real wood, they are virtually maintenance free, splinter free, highly durable against the elements, and easy to clean. However, trying to choose between the two can get confusing. In the end it comes down to what works best for your deck needs, wants, and budget.

In addition to selecting the color of deck boards, you'll also have to decide on the color of the fascia boards, railings, spindles, hardware, posts and caps. And those aren't easy decisions, especially when all you have to go on is a brochure with tiny color swatches. For more information on decking products, ideas and techniques, search for “decks” at the top of this page.

When you’re planning your deck, besides deciding the color, style and size, you’ll need to pick the material it will be made of. Generally, your choices will be wood, composite, and cellular PVC 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?

Keep in mind that certain costs, like railings, are setby the linear foot. Find hiring guides, material costs, expert advice, how-to's and more. Composites have few maintenance needs, so you'll have plenty of time to take care of the ones that do crop up. Before you make a commitment, weigh the pros and cons of composites.

• Which one you choose determines the style options, the price, what it’s like to own it, and the maintenance you’ll need to do to keep it looking great.
• Composites are by far the oldest decking product on the market.
• The three main deck material options you’ll see on the market are pressure treated wood, composite, and PVC .
• Wood is a more natural product, while composite and vinyl are artificial decking materials.

Composite decking with wood embossed texturing has a better slip resistance than PVC. It is an ideal choice if your deck surrounds a pool or hot tub, or is in a rainy region, where its surface might be frequently wet and a potential hazard for kids and guests. Before you embark on purchasing decking, it pays to know the pros and cons of each all of which have different prices, aesthetics, and maintenance. The average price of PVC decking is $9 and $15 per square foot. When considering PVC decking, it’s important to weigh the positives and negatives of this material. Vinyl decking is sometimes interchangeably referred to as PVC decking at a consumer level. While they’re both made from synthetic material, this is technically incorrect and the two are quite different.

Whether you're a homeowner, contractor, marina, or golf course, you can trust that we have the most knowledge, the best products, and the highest level of service in the southeast. Capped decking offers extra protection in the form of a hard outer shell. It’s bonded to the core material during the manufacturing process. In addition to increasing the overall durability and performance of your deck, many caps have UV-inhibitors built in as well.