Want A Wood Deck Without The Associated Maintenance Hassles? Here Are 3 Reasons To Choose Capped Composite Decking Over PVC
If you want a deck that looks like wood but don't want to deal with the hassle of maintaining a wood deck, a capped composite deck or a PVC deck are your best options. Neither material needs to be stained and painted like wood to keep water away, making them much easier to maintain than a wood deck.
The main difference between capped composite decking and PVC decking is what makes up the core of the deck boards. A capped composite deck board has a core that's made from a blend of wood pulp and plastic, and the core is surrounded by a layer of thin plastic that keeps moisture away from the wood pulp. A PVC deck board is made entirely of plastic. While this difference may seem minor, it has a major influence on how each decking material performs. Capped composite decking is often a better choice than PVC decking due to the wood pulp in its core. To learn three reasons to choose a capped composite deck over a PVC deck, read on.
1. Capped Composite Decking Is Less Expensive
Capped composite decking is less expensive than PVC decking, which helps you save money on installation costs. Capped composite costs less because wood pulp is a waste product. It's the material left over after furniture and flooring manufacturers mill wooden boards to the desired shape and size. Flooring and furniture manufacturers have no use for it, so they don't charge much for it. Since capped composite boards contain a substantial portion of wood pulp instead of being made entirely out of plastic, they cost less to purchase than PVC deck boards.
2. Capped Composite Decking Is Less Prone to Warping
PVC deck boards are lighter and less dense than capped composite deck boards, which makes them more prone to warping if they're installed in an area that receives direct sunlight all day long. PVC deck boards expand when they heat up, and they may warp if two boards expand into one another. Wood pulp is heavier than plastic, so capped composite boards have a stronger core. This makes them less prone to expanding and contracting when temperatures change, which reduces the risk that they'll start warping if they get too hot.
3. Capped Composite Decking Feels More Like Actual Wood Decking
If you're looking for a deck that looks like wood, PVC decking and capped composite decking are both great choices. They can both be manufactured with a detailed wood grain on the plastic surface that makes them nearly indistinguishable from true wood decking. Capped composite boards, however, have an additional advantage. Since they're heavier and denser, they feel more like real wood than PVC decking when you touch them or walk on them. If you want your deck to mimic wood as closely as possible, then capped composite is the better choice.
Contact a company like Clover Creek Home Designs to learn more.
