When it comes to decks, you might have a few options in mind as far as materials go. You might think wood is amazing. However, there is a whole new world of materials beyond wood. So, here is what should know about wood and PVC decks before you consult a deck builder.

Comparing Wood And PVC Decking

The Material

Firstly, you should know what both materials are and how they differ from one another.

Wood Decking

When it comes to wood, well, it’s a material that is naturally sourced from trees. Nowadays, there is also engineered wood available and it is reinforced and strengthened wood that is amazing when it comes to durability.

Regular and naturally sourced hardwood is extremely hard to maintain and it is also quite weak, so you want something durable, especially for decks that are going to stay outdoors for the most part. Regardless, wood is a great material and it adds a ton of value to your home.

PVC Decking

PVC is a synthetic material and it stands for polyvinyl chloride. PVC decking is also known as either polymer decking or simply composite decking. PVC is essentially a type of plastic and the decks are made out of this material which is amazing in quality, durability as well as water resistance.

PVC can also be made out of a couple of other materials like wood shavings and other plastics and the result is a material with exceptional strength and moisture resistance, which is all you need in things like decks.

Durability

Next up, you want to discuss durability. This is something that a lot of people want to know because they want to get a material that isn’t fragile by any means.

Wood Decking

Wood is not fragile when it comes to decks per se, but it is not the best either. It is a material that is reasonably durable, so it won’t wither away by a slight gust of wind, but the most common problem people face with wooden decks is the fact that they can rot pretty quickly. This is why they prefer to go for something else, which doesn’t let water ruin everything.

PVC Decking

PVC is a really durable material with no problems of rot or fungus whatsoever. It is an excellent material when it comes to durability and you won’t have to deal with broken PVC panels or anything like that, because once it’s installed, you can pretty much forget about everything and go about your life and your deck will be flawless for years to come.

This is the kind of durability that people expect from outdoor materials, so PVC is perfect in this case and you won’t regret it.

Ease Of Installation

When it comes to installation of decks, they can either be done professionally or you can do it by yourself if you have the skills and time on your hands.

Wood Decking

Wood decks can be installed professionally. However, you can install wood decking yourself as well. They are available in panels or pallets and they are usually attached to each other using nuts and bolts, and even closers if you want a more seamless look with no bumps.

The foundation of the deck is also made and then the pallets are laid on top of the leveled foundation. However, you will need to seal the wood panels before you install them because you want the wooden deck to be waterproof at the end of the day.

PVC Decking

PVC decks are also pretty easy to install. Wood can be heavy at times, especially if it’s the real deal, but PVC is generally lighter and it can be lifted with no problem at all. The weight of PVC makes it easier to install and you don’t even need to break a sweat when it comes to picking up the panels. They are also reinforced with the help of nuts or closers, so this is something pretty similar to wood decks.

Cost

This is something that you’ll need to decide because, between wood and PVC, there is not really a huge difference when it comes to price. Wood is generally expensive since it is a limited resource and if you’re going for exotic woods, then it will cost you a lot more.

PVC, on the other hand, can also run expensive if you’re going for a more modern and engineered version, which is a mixture of composite and wood and is also environmentally sustainable. So, these are things that you have to figure out based on what your budget is.

Maintenance

Now comes the hard part and that is the maintenance of the deck material. If you want to go for a material that is too heavy on the maintenance side of things, then you will be doomed forever. No one wants to get a material that is too high maintenance.

Wood Decking

The middle name of wood is high maintenance and it is something that you have to get used to because it is a natural material with a reasonable porosity and no such resistance. This is why you need to seal it, in order to make it waterproof, and take care of the material, so that it doesn’t deteriorate in the future.

PVC Decking

PVC is like plastic and it is never going to deteriorate. Well, that doesn’t mean that it is indestructible, but it is still better than a lot of deck materials out there. You can get better color retention and the material won’t fade away, which means that you don’t have to tint or paint it.

You also don’t need to seal it because it is plastic. It repels water if anything. So, PVC is generally lighter on the maintenance side of things.

Weather Resistance

When you’re going for a material that is going to stay exposed to outdoor agents, then you have to choose something that will endure everything nature throws at them like a champ.

Wood Decking

Well, while wood is a natural material, it won’t be able to withstand anything unless you take some precautions beforehand. You want to ensure that it doesn’t rot and doesn’t get damaged by the sun and the beating temperature of the outdoors.

So, wood is not typically the best when it comes to outdoors. Sure, it won’t disintegrate in a matter of months, but you’ll run into far more problems.

PVC Decking

The only thing that it doesn’t do well with PVC decks is frost or snow, because it can become a tripping hazard due to its smooth surface. So, if you want to play it safe, then maybe get a PVC deck that is textured to ensure a good grip.

Other than that, be it rain or sunshine, PVC will not disappoint you and you will see that it stays brand new for days and years to come, which is ultimately what you want in decks.

Conclusion

Wood and PVC both are amazing, but this guide will tell you where wood wins and where PVC takes the cake and leaves wood behind. If you need an expert’s suggestion or want to install a deck, get help from deck contractors Port Jefferson.