Wooden-plastic composite and PVC decking are recent improvements in decking programs, made primarily from plastic materials. The chief distinction between the two sorts is the wooden fiber core of composite wooden decking, in addition to some efficiency and maintenance points. Evaluating composite and PVC decking is basically easy, but there’s appreciable variation in the standard of every, relying on the producer.
Composite and PVC Decking Material
The bottom ingredient for each wood-plastic composite (WPC) and PVC decking is plastic. PVC decking is made from virgin PVC, or polyvinyl chloride — a byproduct of the oil refining course of and pure fuel. Wood-plastic composite makes use of polyethylene plastic, which comes from recycled plastic merchandise. Additives to assist the manufacturing course of and enhance suitability for construction are necessary for the standard of each forms of decking and often are probably the most costly components of manufacturing.
Wooden Flour
A major part in composite decking materials is ground-up wood, known as wooden flour. Numerous sources provide raw materials for wood flour, together with flooring factories, furnishings makers and cabinet shops. Variations between wooden species and harvesting practices make producing constant high quality in composite decking a problem. Wooden flour additionally tends to create mold points for the decking. Many composite decking manufacturers now encase the product in capstock, a plastic substance that protects the interior core of wooden fibers.
Aesthetics
Composite decking is typically imprinted with a faux wooden-grain finish and a variety of colours with pleasing depth. PVC decking retains its plastic appearance in a restricted palette of impartial colours. The planks are sometimes embossed with treads for texture, offering traction and bettering the looks. Composite decking fades over time to various degrees relying on the manufacturer, but typically within three years the color is sort of totally different. PVC decking retains its colour, typically warrantied for the lifetime of the owner.
Performance
Neither composite nor PVC decking is powerful structurally, and both are likely to sag without substantial assist. The floor of composite decking is well gouged, and the boards warp and splinter. PVC would not warp or splinter, however it’s topic to damage from rocks, hail or objects thrown from a lawn mower. Composite decking needs to be sealed recurrently as soon as its coating fades, whereas PVC requires solely periodic washing. Both sorts of decking retain heat to the point of being uncomfortable in sizzling, sunny weather.
