Which is Better: Composite or PVC Decking?

Surface Texture

Composite decking boards can be customised to look and feel like real wood during the manufacturing process. Homeowners who have used wood decking before, can tell that composite decking offers a similar texture to that of natural wood.

Plastic or PVC decking has an engineered synthetic surface, which is the key difference when compared to composite decking. After comparing the surface texture of both materials, we can conclude that composite decking’s surface offers an improved natural wood feel and appearance to that of PVC decking.

Like any product, composite and PVC decking are consistently being improved, the recent manufacturing changes in PVC are using an ASA top layer that provides an improved wood grain appearance that is like indoor flooring. Composite decking on the other hand, uses mixed colours that truly captures the exotic wood look, the feel and visual appearance of composite decking – becoming more natural imitation of wood.

Expert View: PVC-ASA decking has taken a leap forward on authenticity, providing a more natural wood grain and colour than ever before. At the same time, the new mixed-colour composite decking is truly starting to capture the natural blend of shades seen in exotic hardwoods.

Appearance/Aesthetics

Both materials, PVC and WPC, are available as wood-grain boards; most homeowners find this feature desirable because it mimics the natural look of wood. The natural look of wood is commonly preferred because homeowners tend to like their decking blending in with the natural environment of their garden. Due to this, composite decking is the more aesthetically pleasing board.

Although PVC is available in a wood-grain style, it’s made with 100% plastic and for some it still has a synthetic appearance; as mentioned above being similar to that of indoor flooring. On the other hand, composite decking is partly made from wood. This provides composites with a more natural aesthetic, giving them a clear edge over PVC decking in appearance. If you are planning to build a new decking area and a natural wood-like appearance is important to you, then you should seriously consider purchasing composite decking.

Expert View: In my opinion, the most advanced PVC decking aims for a flawless, smooth finish. But true wood isn’t flawless; it’s raw, rustic, and textured. That “imperfection” character is what I find composite decking captures so effectively.

Maintenance

Both WPC and PVC decking are easy to maintain and do not require the painting, sanding, or sealing that wooden decking does. Most marks or stains can be easily wiped away with a cloth and hot, soapy water.

Expert View: For general low maintenance, Capped Composite and PVC are in a dead heat. The difference emerges when you factor in scratch resistance. In my experience, premium PVC provides a tougher surface that better resists scuffs and scrapes. It’s the more resilient choice, but this added performance comes at a premium.

Expansion and Contraction

When it comes to thermal stability, composites are better. Independent testing shows that PVC has a higher linear thermal expansion coefficient, making it more susceptible to high temperatures which can cause it to expand more and potentially weaken over time.

Expert View: Why do we mention expansion? Because consistent, significant expansion and contraction from heat can weaken a material over many seasons. Based on the data, composite decking’s lower thermal expansion gives it a clear advantage in stability, which can contribute to a longer potential lifespan.

Eco-friendliness

When it comes to choosing a decking area, a priority for many is how environmentally friendly the material is. In this regard, both PVC and composites are becoming more environmentally friendly as manufacturers strive to use recycled materials.

When reviewing how environmentally friendly anything is, it is important to consider recyclability, longevity and production; in this regard, composite outperforms PVC.

Composites are a mixture of wood and plastic that recently is now able to be recycled with specialised equipment to separate it into its base components. PVC is an all-plastic material and is not environmentally friendly. It’s not great for the environment during production, after or when being recycled; PVC can pollute the soil and the surrounding air, especially when it is burnt.

Expert View: We’re seeing more customers than ever prioritise the environmental impact of their purchase, and for good reason. From an eco-perspective, the two materials are quite different. PVC is a plastic that isn’t easily recycled. In contrast, composite decking’s core components are reclaimed wood fibres and recycled plastics (like HDPE), which makes it the clear eco-friendlier choice in my view.

Weight

Solid composite boards are heavier than PVC decking boards and the former, (solid composites) will require a stronger frame to support the added weight. This means more materials are required to build the subframe and joist centres will need to be placed closer together. However, some manufacturers offer hollow composites, which are significantly lighter. Hollow composites are similar in weight to PVC decking; but generally, PVC is the lighter material of the two.

Expert View: In our experience, the weight of a decking board matters for two practical reasons: installation and logistics. First, lighter boards are simply easier and faster for a professional or DIYer to handle on site. Second, from a logistics standpoint, lighter materials often mean a more cost-effective delivery. On both of these points, PVC’s significantly lighter weight gives it a clear advantage.

Heat

When it comes to how decking reacts to heat, there are two factors to consider: surface temperature (how hot it feels) and thermal stability (how much it expands).

In our own internal tests on a 27°C day here in the UK, we found no significant difference in the surface temperature of composite versus PVC. In all honesty, both materials will get hot in direct sunlight.

The more important long-term factor is thermal stability. Independent testing shows that PVC has a higher linear thermal expansion coefficient (average 70-80 × 10⁻⁶/K) compared to composite (average 33-46 × 10⁻⁶/K). This means PVC is more susceptible to heat and will expand and contract more significantly.

Expert View: Why do we mention expansion? Because consistent, significant expansion and contraction from heat can weaken a material over many seasons, sometimes leading to issues like warping. Based on the data, composite decking’s lower thermal expansion gives it a clear advantage in stability, which can contribute to a longer potential lifespan for your deck.

Safety

Safety is an important consideration when looking to purchase decking; some boards are safer than others. One of the fundamental issues with wood and other types of decking is slipping. Composite decking has anti-slip properties, making a a much better choice over PVC decking and wood, especially when wet.

Furthermore, many brands of composite decking boards feature a wood-like grain. A woodgrain texture not only adds to the appearance but also adds to its safety. Please note – surface treatment after production makes a huge different on slip and scratch performance with woodgrain composite boards.

Wood grains on certain brands of composites produce friction thereby, reducing smoothness. Boards that have an embossed (pressed wood grain) surface finish are safer and the boards have more texture, thus creating more friction, and reducing the chance that you will slip on your decking.

If you are building a decking area which has a high-risk of getting wet, then composite decking is probably the best and safest option for you. Safety may be one of your biggest concerns when it comes to decking, and this is understandable. If this is the case, composite decking is an ideal choice.

Expert View: To be honest, both are good options for slip resistance. Most of our data on high-end PVC comes from our cousins in the US market. However, when we look at what we actually install day-to-day here in the UK, composite decking feels more secure underfoot. It simply has a rougher, more defined texture, and that means more grip when the deck gets wet.