Choosing the Right Decking Material: A Complete Comparison Guide

For years, building a deck meant choosing wood and calling it a day. Today, homeowners have more options to create an outdoor space that fits their lifestyle—from traditional wood-plastic composites and PVC to innovative mineral-based composite made with Surestone® technology.

The best decking choice comes from understanding how each material is built and how it performs in everyday life. While mineral-based composite, traditional wood-plastic composite, and PVC are all lower-maintenance alternatives to wood, the materials used in their construction can significantly influence everything from stability and comfort underfoot to durability and long-term performance. 

Understanding the Differences

Wood

Wood decking has long been a favorite for outdoor spaces thanks to its natural appearance and lower upfront cost. However, maintaining that beauty requires regular upkeep.

Considerations:

• Requires routine staining and sealing
• Susceptible to splintering, cracking, and warping
• Can be vulnerable to moisture, insects, and rot
• Typically has higher maintenance costs over time

For homeowners who love the look of natural wood and don't mind annual maintenance, it remains a viable option.

Looking Beyond the Upfront Cost

While wood decking often comes with a lower initial price tag, it's important to consider the long-term cost of ownership. Routine staining, sealing, and maintenance can add up quickly—both in dollars and in time.

For example, on a 300-square-foot deck:

• A pressure-treated wood deck with an initial cost of approximately $6,000 may require about $500 per year in maintenance, including annual cleaning and staining or sealing every other year.
• An entry-level composite deck with an initial cost of approximately $8,000 typically requires only basic cleaning, averaging around $50 per year in maintenance costs.

That means homeowners could save an estimated $450 per year on maintenance alone by choosing composite decking.

The savings go beyond money. Maintaining a wood deck can require an average of 10–20 hours each year between cleaning, prep work, and staining. Composite decking typically requires only 2–3 hours annually for routine cleaning, resulting in a time savings of 8–17 hours every year. Over time, the value isn't just in reduced maintenance costs—it's in getting more time back to enjoy the deck you built in the first place.

Traditional WPC (Wood-Plastic Composite)

Traditional wood-plastic composite decking is typically manufactured using a blend of recycled plastic and wood fibers. It offers the appearance of natural wood with significantly less upkeep than wood, making it a popular choice for homeowners seeking a balance of aesthetics, performance, and value. 

Deckorators traditional composite decking lines—Venture, Altitude and Vista—are designed to deliver the look of wood without the demanding upkeep.

Benefits:

• Low maintenance
• Resistant to rot and insect damage
• No sanding, staining, or sealing required
• Available in a variety of colors and finishes

Things to Know:

• Boards tend to be heavier than wood, PVC, and mineral-based composites.
• Like wood, wood-plastic composite expands and contracts with temperature fluctuations.

PVC Decking

PVC decking is made entirely from synthetic plastic with no organic content. It resists moisture, mold, and insects effectively, but its all-plastic composition can lead to higher thermal movement and a lighter, less rigid feel underfoot compared to other materials.

Benefits:

• Moisture resistance
• Lightweight construction
• Low maintenance

Things to Know:

• PVC tends to experience greater expansion and contraction with temperature changes. 
• It can become hot under direct sun exposure.

Mineral-Based Composite Decking made with Surestone® Technology

At Deckorators, we're redefining what's possible in outdoor living through innovations like Surestone® technology. Unlike traditional composites, decking made with Surestone mineral-based composite technology is engineered from a blend of advanced plastic polymers and durable minerals, with zero organic material. This construction is engineered for greater dimensional stability, reduced heat buildup, and confident footing.

Deckorators Voyage, Summit, Porch Flooring, and Picture Frame Board are made with Surestone technology and offer a unique combination of benefits that set it apart from traditional alternatives.

Benefits:

• Approximately 35% lighter than many traditional composites.
• Minimal thermal expansion and contraction.
• Surface texture provides reliable traction in wet and dry conditions.
• Designed to reduce heat buildup and stay more comfortable under the sun.
• Durable construction designed for everyday living.
• Fully submersible and warranted for installation in the ground or water with virtually no moisture absorption.

Wood vs. WPC vs. PVC vs. Surestone®: Comparison at a Glance 

Not all composite decking is created equal. Composite decking encompasses several categories, including traditional wood-plastic composite, PVC, and mineral-based composite. While each offers advantages over wood, differences in composition can affect maintenance requirements, stability, comfort, and overall performance.