Composite Decking Manufacturer Review & Search Aid

Knowing your options before you search can help you find what you're looking for faster. Check out our overview of composite decking to learn more about composite decking features and brands. Use the features you're interested in as search terms to find the products that match your building supply needs.

Jump to section:

• Composite and Plastic Decking - Introduction
  
• Search by Feature
  
• Related Products and Accessories
  
• Search by Brand
  
• Search for Other Decking Products
  

Composite and Plastic Decking

Composite decking, made of a blend of wood and plastic, is designed to be a low-maintenance, long-lasting alternative to wood. Because it contains wood, composite decking provides similar workability, but it is resistant to rot, pests and splintering and doesn't need to be stained, sealed or painted. All-plastic PVC decking, though not actually a composite, is categorized with composite decking on most sites because it has similar features and benefits. Though they tend to be slightly more expensive than wood up front, composite lumber and plastic lumber generally cost less in the long run due to decreased maintenance costs. Composite and plastic decking cannot be used for structural support.

Because of their resistance to rot, composite and plastic decking materials can be a good option for pool decks, docks and other applications near water. Many composite/plastic deck manufacturers produce special lines of lumber specifically designed for use near water.

Composite and plastic decking is available in a wide selection of options, brands and colors. Following are some features to consider that may help you narrow your search for products:

Search by Feature

Grades - Many composite and plastic decking manufacturers offer multiple lines of residential decking, as well as professional/commercial grade options. As with most building materials, expect to pay more for more features, higher-quality construction and enhanced durability. Product lines that use hidden fastening systems tend to be more expensive than product lines that use standard nail or screw fasteners.

Polyethylene, polypropylene and PVC - Polyethylene and polypropylene are plastic bases used in composite decking. Polyethylene is a common household recyclable, so composite decking made with polyethylene often contains recycled content and is widely available with a variety of features. Polypropylene is thicker and stronger but more likely to come from virgin sources. All-plastic decking is constructed of PVC (polyvinyl chloride). PVC decking is typically less prone to fading and staining than composites but is also less likely to contain environmentally friendly recycled materials. Solid PVC decking tends to offer better performance than hollow PVC decking but comes at a higher cost than hollow PVC and most composite decking.

Construction/profile options - Composite and plastic deck boards come in solid and hollow or channeled variations. Manufacturers use a wide range of hollow and channeled configurations to decrease weight, increase stiffness and/or provide other benefits. Terms used to describe these hollow support structures also vary widely by manufacturer and include grooves, voids, arches, I-beams and others. Grooves may also refer to slots in the side of the board, usually employed to allow use of hidden fasteners. See the manufacturer's description of each line of decking for specific details on construction features and their benefits.

Sizes - Most manufacturers offer decking in 12', 16' and 20' lengths. Recommendations for maximum span between joists vary greatly, from as little as 12" to as many as 30", so be sure to check the installation requirements before purchasing, particularly if you are working with existing joists.

Color/finish - Composite and plastic decking is available in a variety of textures, including smooth and embossed wood grains. Colors range from wood tones to white and green finishes with an array of wood grain options. Some manufacturers even offer decking designed to look like exotic woods. Most composite and plastic lumber is not designed for staining or painting. Some products can be painted and stained but will require regular maintenance thereafter.

Resistance to staining, fading, scratches, mold and mildew - Composite decking may be susceptible to stains, fading, scratches, mold and mildew. Although many composite decking products are designed to resist such problems, "resistance" does not imply total protection. For example, even composite decking that claims to be stain resistant may be susceptible to grease stains, such as barbeque grease or suntan oil. Check manufacturer literature and warranty terms carefully for details before purchasing.

Eco-friendly options - Many composite decking products use recycled content. Some are even certified as LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) green building products and are eligible for LEED points. If environmental sustainability is a concern, look for LEED certification and high percentages of recycled content, preferably post-consumer recycled content.

Fastening systems - Fastening methods for composite and plastic decking materials include nails, screws and hidden fasteners. Some composite decking offers multiple fastening options, while others offer only a single option. Composite decking that accepts screws may require predrilling.

• 1. Eb-Ty: Polypropylene biscuit fasteners are invisible from the top and bottom of the deck. Compatible with composite and PVC decking in addition to wood, Ipe and synthetic decking.
  

• 2. Equator: Hidden fasteners are designed for use with boards that have 5/32" side grooves. They do not require predrilling and automatically set boards at the appropriate spacing.
  
• 3. Grabber: Composite deck screws use a patented design with reverse threads to remove composite material as the screw is driven in, virtually eliminating stripouts and mushrooming.
  
• 4. HIDFast: Patented hidden stainless-steel fasteners are installed using a special pneumatic driver for fast, easy and precise installation.
  
• 5. Ipe Clip: Hidden fasteners reinforced with fiberglass or stainless steel can be used with grooved boards or boards that have been cut with a biscuit joiner. They automatically set boards at the appropriate spacing.
  
• 6. Shadoe Track: Hidden fastening options include Shadoe Track, The Hidden Link and Mantis to meet a variety of installation needs.
  
• 7. Tiger Claw: Heavy-gauge stainless-steel hidden deck fasteners use "claws" to grab the edge of the boards and include an installation block for fast, easy installation. Products are available for use with a variety of decking materials, including composite, PVC, hardwood and softwood.
  

Related Products and Accessories

Create a coordinated look and minimize your home maintenance with other composite and plastic building products.

Fascia - Available from most composite/plastic deck manufacturers, fascia board covers exposed joists to polish off the look of your new deck.

Railings systems - Most composite/plastic deck manufacturers also offer railings and balusters that match their decking boards. Because composite and plastic lumber is not used for structural support, matching post sleeves and end caps are available to cover wooden support posts for a uniform look.

Molding and Trim - Composite/plastic molding and trim are available in an array of popular profiles to provide you with a low-maintenance finishing touch for your home exterior. Some products can also be bent to create curved details.

Fencing - Like composite/plastic decking, composite and plastic fencing systems mimic the look of wood but require less maintenance to save you time and effort.

Covered Porch Flooring - Like composite decking, composite porch flooring is a low-maintenance alternative to wood and does not require painting, staining or sealing. Because the boards are installed close together and don't have the expansion room required for full exposure to the elements, composite porch flooring is usually designed specifically for covered porch applications. All-plastic PVC porch flooring provides similar benefits but is generally suitable for covered and uncovered applications.
Check out CorrectPorch or Azek Porch Flooring.

Search by Brand

Note: The following list of brands is not exhaustive.

Other Decking Products