Buyer guide · Decking materials
PVC vs. composite decking: which surface fits your home?
Both promise less maintenance than wood, but they are not the same material. Here is the difference, what each asks of you, and how to compare them fairly.
The short answer
Composite decking combines wood fibers with plastic. PVC decking is polymer through and through — no wood fiber at all. That one difference drives most of the others: how each handles moisture, how it weathers and what the manufacturer covers.
Neither is simply “the best.” The right question is which one suits your exposure, your maintenance appetite and the look you want.
What upkeep actually looks like
Low-maintenance is not no-maintenance. Plan to keep the surface clean and debris out of the gaps either way. PVC tends to shrug off moisture, since there is no organic core to absorb water. Composite is engineered for outdoor life too, but the specific product’s care instructions matter — they are not all identical.
Heat, color and feel
Any deck surface can get hot in direct Georgia sun. Color, exposure and the specific board matter more than the label on the box. PVC stays the coolest (~30 degrees F cooler than composite) in direct sunlight, and is best for decks with a lot of sun exposure. Composite gets the hottest in direct sunlight due to the plastic and rubber in the boards. View samples outside, next to your siding and railings, before you decide — a showroom sample will not tell you how the deck feels in July.
Warranties: read both of them
Our workmanship warranty is 10 years on PVC, composite and roofed projects, and 5 years on pressure-treated wood work. Manufacturer warranties on PVC and composite decking range from 25 to 50 years, depending on the product selected. Warranty terms are in your signed contract. You have the warranty as soon as you approve the quote and pay your deposit, not in a separate document handed over at completion. Compare product coverage and workmanship separately.
What we install most
We offer TimberTech and Trex PVC and composite decking. Framing options include pressure-treated wood, steel and TimberTech aluminum framing, selected to suit the project. We compare the complete system with you, rather than choosing by the board material alone.
A few questions you may be wondering about.
Is PVC worth the extra cost?
It depends on what you value. Compare the complete installed price, the upkeep you are signing up for and the warranty coverage — not just the board price. The surface is one part of the finished deck.
Do PVC or composite boards need special framing?
Boards, fasteners, joist spacing and edge details must work together, and each product line has its own span and fastening requirements. The structure is designed around the decking you choose.
Which one looks more like wood?
Both have come a long way. Look at the specific product lines in person — texture and color vary more between product lines than between the two materials.