Composite and PVC boards don't need staining, don't splinter, and hold up to Litchfield County winters. They cost more up front. For a deck you plan to keep, they usually pay for themselves.
Composite vs. PVC vs. wood
Composite boards are a mix of wood fiber and plastic with a hard plastic shell (called capping) on the outside. Trex, TimberTech Pro and Edge, and Fiberon are the common brands. They feel closer to wood and cost less than PVC.
PVC boards are all plastic, with no wood fiber. Azek, now sold as TimberTech Advanced PVC, is the best-known. They’re lighter, run cooler in the sun than most composites, and resist mold better in shady, damp spots. They cost the most.
Pressure-treated pine is the lowest-cost board and what most decks in the area are built with. It needs stain or sealer every two to three years, and it checks and splinters as it ages.
Cedar looks great and smells great. It weathers to grey if you leave it, and it’s softer than pine, so it dents.
| Board | Installed cost per sq ft | Upkeep | Feel |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pressure-treated | $35–55 | Stain every 2–3 years | Wood, can splinter |
| Cedar | $45–65 | Seal every 1–2 years | Soft, warm wood |
| Composite | $60–90 | Wash yearly | Close to wood, heavy |
| PVC | $70–100 | Wash yearly | Lighter, cooler |
Prices include framing, footings, basic stairs, and railing. See the full deck cost guide.
Is composite worth it?
Do the math on staining. A 300 square foot pressure-treated deck costs about $700 to $1,200 to clean and stain every two or three years if you hire it out. Over 15 years that’s $3,500 to $6,000, plus your weekends. Composite usually costs $6,000 to $10,000 more up front on a deck that size.
Composite tends to make sense if:
- You’ll be in the house more than five or six years.
- You don’t want to stain.
- The deck is shaded and stays damp, which is hard on wood.
- You have kids or pets and want no splinters.
Pressure-treated still makes sense for a budget build, a deck you’ll replace when you sell, or a deck that’s mostly out of sight.
Things that matter with composite
Joist spacing. Most composite boards need joists 16 inches apart for straight runs and 12 inches for 45-degree diagonal patterns. Stairs usually need stringers 12 inches apart. If you’re putting composite on an old frame, the builder should check this.
A flat frame. Composite follows the frame. A crowned or sagging joist shows through as a bump or dip. Builders plane, shim, or replace joists before boarding.
Hidden fasteners. Clips in the grooved edges of the boards hold them down without screws through the top. It looks cleaner and leaves the board surface whole. Ends and edges are usually face-screwed with color-matched screws or plugged.
Gaps. Composite expands and shrinks with temperature more than wood does. Board ends need the gaps the manufacturer specifies, and the right gap depends on the temperature on install day.
Heat. Dark composite boards get hot in full afternoon sun. Lighter colors and PVC run cooler. If your deck faces west or south, look at samples in the sun before you choose.
Snow removal. Use a plastic shovel, not metal. Calcium chloride ice melt is safe on most brands. Rock salt is fine on many but can leave residue. Check the manufacturer’s care guide.
Warranty. Most capped composite and PVC boards come with 25 to 50 year warranties against fading and staining. Those warranties depend on the boards being installed to the manufacturer’s instructions, which is another reason to hire someone who installs them regularly.
Picking a color and grade
All the major brands sell a basic line, a middle line, and a premium line. Higher lines have thicker capping, more realistic grain, and longer fade warranties. In general:
- Basic lines are good for a simple, solid-color deck.
- Middle lines are where most people end up.
- Premium lines are worth it for full sun, a high-visibility deck, or a look that’s close to real hardwood.
Get physical samples and look at them outside on your deck in morning and afternoon light. Colors look different on a screen and in the store.
Common questions
Does composite get slippery?
Capped composite and PVC have textured surfaces and are no more slippery than wet wood. Ice is slippery on any deck.
Will composite fade?
Capped boards fade a little in the first few months, then settle. Uncapped first-generation composite from the 1990s and 2000s faded and stained badly. Today’s boards are much better.
Can I put composite on my existing deck frame?
Sometimes. The frame must be sound, flat, and spaced right for the boards. See deck replacement for how builders decide.
What about railings?
Most composite brands sell matching railings. Aluminum, cable, and glass are also common. See railings and stairs.
Tell us about your deck.
Size, what’s wrong with it now, or what you’d like to build. Photos help.