How to Select the Best Outdoor Decking Material for Your Project

With so many options on the market, selecting an outdoor decking material that meets your needs and budget can be a daunting task. Is wood, wood composite, or fully synthetic GLAS – POWERED™ decking like WEARDECK™ the choice for your project? Let’s consider the pros and cons of each popular decking option to make an informed and confident investment.

Wood Decking

Traditional timber remains a popular outdoor decking material for cost-conscious buyers. Wood is easy to build with and offers a traditional, natural appearance. Wood decks are typically built with pressure-treated softwood or hardwood. HomeAdvisor explains that pressure-treated wood is “infused with chemical preservatives” to make the wood more resistant to rot and insect infestation, yet the pressure treatment fails to prevent the natural degradation of wood.

While wood usually costs less than other decking options, it deteriorates sooner and requires regular maintenance like staining to preserve its appearance and performance. Wood is susceptible to mold, rot, warping, shrinking and twisting. Although wood seems like the most affordable outdoor decking material upfront, buyers must consider high maintenance and replacement costs over time.

Wood Composite Decking

Manufacturers combine natural wood fibers with synthetic ingredients like plastic and chemical additives to produce wood composite decking. Wood composite boards can be uncapped or capped, sealed in a plastic skin for added durability. While pricier than pressure-treated lumber, wood composites usually mimic the appearance of natural wood and provide better weather resistance.

Wood composite decks provide advantages to traditional lumber but come with their own drawbacks. Wood composite decking retains heat, which can make decks uncomfortable and unsafe to walk on during the heat of the day.

The Craftsman Blog explains common problems with wood composite including mold, color fading, warping and shrinking, and “boards that feel like a trampoline” from weakening over time. Wood composite and capped wood composite decking might last longer than traditional wood lumber, yet they remain susceptible to problems that can be avoided with plastic decking.

Wood–Free Composite Decking

Unlike wood and wood composite, deck boards made from High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) and Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) contain no organic components. This decking is waterproof, requires little maintenance, and provides resistance to insects, mold, mildew, and rot.

Compared to wood and wood composite, HDPE decking is less susceptible to staining and fading, easy to clean and simple to build with. HDPE decking continues to grow in popularity as buyers desire low-maintenance, permanent decking solutions.

While plastic decking wins buyers over with promises of superior quality, not all plastics decks are created or priced equally. Plastic decking like PVC still comes with risks. Complaints about PVC decking often include expansion and contraction, static electricity, heat retention, chalky appearance over time, and lack of strength.

Unlike HDPE plastic decking, PVC is not resistant to sunscreen and insect repellent. Without product knowledge, buyers can spend thousands on plastic decking backed by empty promises. We designed WEARDECK™ as a GLAS-POWERED™, wood-free composite lumber that is reinforced with fiberglas to overcome the shortcomings of outdoor decking materials and other plastic boards.

Questions to Ask When Shopping for the Best Outdoor Decking Material

How Hot Does the Outdoor Decking Material Get?

Surface temperature relies on the type of decking and color that you select, but most outdoor decking materials become too hot to walk on barefoot. Compare the surface temperatures of your decking options and refer to customer reviews.

Is the Outdoor Decking Material Foot-Friendly?

Wood decking may come with splinters. Synthetic decking can produce static electricity. Wood composite and synthetic boards may become slippery and dangerous when wet.

How Much Maintenance Does the Decking Require?

Wood decking requires the most care including regular cleaning, sanding, staining, sealing, and painting. Order samples of your top decking options to see how difficult they are to clean and how easily they stain.

What Colors Does the Outdoor Decking Material Come In?

Wood decking requires stain or paint. Composite and plastic decking come in tons of color options. Be aware that certain colors may only be available in a specific line which can be lower quality or pricier than your preference.

Does the Decking Fade and Stain Easily?

Before you invest in outdoor decking material, confirm that it will retain color over time and resist stains. Read customer reviews and test stain resistance yourself by ordering samples.

Is the Outdoor Decking Material Waterproof?

Decking that contains organic matter like wood absorbs moisture. Water retention in the boards leads to mildew, mold, rot, and insect infestation. Synthetic outdoor decking materials help provide security against water damage.

Is the Decking Rated for Underwater and Ground Installation?

Few outdoor decking materials tolerate ground installation let alone underwater installation. Decking usually requires clearance from water and dirt to avoid mildew, mold, rot, and insect infestation, especially when it includes wood ingredients.

Can the Decking Withstand Harsh Weather Conditions?

Outdoor decking materials perform differently in extreme weather. The ideal decking is waterproof, keeps your project stable, and has a low rate of expansion and contraction.

What Is the Rate of Expansion and Contraction?

All outdoor decking materials experience thermal expansion and contraction due to temperature swings. The amount of expansion and contraction depends on decking composition and brand. Excessive movement leads to splitting, warping, and damage.

How Strong Is the Outdoor Decking Material?

Weak outdoor decking may require additional understructure, costing you more for material and labor. Wood composite and synthetic decking usually lack strength. They may bend and sag and require a maximum joist spacing of 16” on center.

Can the Decking be paired with Structural Framing Options?

When paired with structural framing like OC™ Lumber Structural Framing, certain decking supplies enough support for load-bearing use. Strong, stiff boards provide durability and enable additional building opportunities.

What Is the Warranty?

Many pressure-treated lumber, PVC, and HDPE decking companies offer a limited lifetime warranty. A 25-year warranty accompanies most wood composite decking. Read reviews and warranties carefully as they cover different issues.

What Other Profiles and Accessories Are Available?

For a cohesive look, decking companies sometimes offer additional profiles like fascia boards and matching accessories like railing. Decide if you want matching trim and accessories then see what’s available.

OC™ Lumber: Strong, Durable, and Smart Decking Option

Decking can be a huge investment, and buyers want their decking material to stand the test of time.

WEARDECK™ is a durable, waterproof, and structural material that boasts high live load rating. Our boards are impervious to mold, mildew, and insects. We add static protection and our heat-reflective technology to every board. WEARDECK™ even comes in two Barefoot Colors designed to stay cool enough for bare feet on the hottest days.

Unlike other outdoor decking options, WEARDECK™ experiences virtually no expansion and contraction.

Learn more about WEARDECK™ here and join a community of pros building strong, durable and smart structures