Wood Versus Composite Decks: Which is Superior in Durability, Aesthetics, & Costs?

Over the years, wood has been the material of choice for deck and fence contractors. Its timeless look suits any outdoor living space in residential and commercial properties. Despite its long-standing popularity, data suggests a shift in the market, with the demand for wood decking decreasing slightly to 2.9 billion lineal feet in 2027.

This is mainly due to the customer's growing interest in alternatives like composite decking for deck and fence installation in British Columbia. This new deck material offers practicality and aesthetics, challenging wood’s dominance.

While the two each have their own advantages, which is really the best choice for fence installation and deck building? The composite decking's latest technology or the wood's classic appeal? Let's find out!

About Wood and Composite Decks

Each offers unique properties and customer satisfaction that cater to different priorities regarding durability, aesthetics, and costs.

Wood Decks

Unlike vinyl decks, this is an outdoor living space built with planks of natural wood or treated wood. They offer a classic and beautiful look that complements any property. They come in various types, which allows you to find the one that fits your budget and style.

However, a wooden deck can be high maintenance, requiring regular deck repairs, staining, or sealing to shield it from sun and resist moisture, rot, warping, and insect damage. While they can last for 10-20 years with good care, the upkeep can be time-consuming and add to the overall cost of the fence and deck project.

Popular Wooden Materials for Decking

Softwoods

• Pressure-treated Pine: The most commercially available option, which undergoes pressurization to inject chemical preservatives. This enhances resistance to decay-causing fungi and insects.
• Cedar: It contains volatile oils like cedrol, which is naturally rot-resistant (especially in humid environments). While some varieties, like Western Red Cedar, offer good dimensional stability, others, like Eastern White Cedar, are softer and more prone to warping.

Hardwoods

• Redwood: It has exceptional durability and natural resistance to rot and insects. Redwood boasts a high Janka hardness rating (a measure of wood’s resistance to indentation and wear).
• Mahogany: A premium hardwood with rich colour, tight grain pattern, and exceptional strength. Mahogany is inherent to resist rot and insects, making it a low-maintenance material option for property owners.

Composite Decks

This is a manufactured alternative to the traditional wooden deck. It blends wood’s natural beauty with minimal maintenance and durability advantages. Composite deck boards mix wood fibres and plastic polymers (recycled or virgin polyethylene).

How is it Produced?

Wood fibers and plastic polymers are combined with binding agents and other additives, then shaped and heated under pressure to form solid boards. For additional features and protection, a capping material may be applied to the outer shell of the boards.

Capping can be made from high-density polyethylene (HDPE) or a co-extrusion process that combines a polymer layer with a grainy acrylic layer to mimic the look of natural wood.

Capped Composite Decking

• The most common type of composite decking with a capped shell around a composite core.
• Typically made from HDPE or composite material with an acrylic layer.
• Lets you create a deck that's either reminiscent of nature or embodies a modern design.
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Uncapped Composite Decking

• Less common and does not have a protective outer shell.
• Usually made from a denser material throughout, and are stained to achieve the desired colour.
• Generally less expensive but requires frequent maintenance, such as periodic staining or sealing, to maintain their appearance and resist mold and mildew growth.
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Durability of Wood vs Composite Decks

Here’s the difference between wood and composite decks in terms of durability:

Frequently Asked Questions