Melbourne, the capital city of the state of Victoria in Australia, has an extensive coastline stretching across thousands of kilometres. Coastal parks and beaches cover much of this coastline, and decks, fences, and paved ways are good additions and often necessities on the buildings in such areas. Decks are attractive additions for all buildings but they are especially ṣattractive for buildings on shores, from where one can have fantastic views of a sea or bay.
The right decking material is necessary for all builders in Melbourne, whether they are building independent houses or larger buildings. While wood has been the traditional decking material, now builders have more options to choose from, like PVC decking (polyvinyl chloride), and composite decking (a composite of wood and plastic). The two have some similarities as well as some differences. Visit The Futurewood Melbourne Page to learn more about why the composite decking option is the better choice when compared to wood.
Similarities
· Both PVC decking and composite decking are synthetic in nature.
· Compared to wood, both are easy to maintain. Simple cleaning with a broom, occasional cleaning with a cleaning detergent, and washing off with water is enough to keep both these types of decking material clean. There are no additional maintenance expenses.
· Both are more durable than wood because termites and woodborer beetles do not attack them as they attack wood. So, there is no need to spray insect repellents or keep the area moisture-free to prevent insect attacks.
· There are plenty of colour choices in both PVC and composite decking, including wood finish.
Differences
Composite Decking
The early type of composite decking material, which was introduced in 1995, was in use till 2008. After that, a modified type of material called capped composite has been in use.
The composite decking material is made by combining wood fibre with recycled plastic, mainly in the form of high-density polyethylene (HDPE). The material has good aesthetic appeal, plenty of colour choices, and many grain patterns, and comes in many thicknesses.
It has better insect resistance and moisture resistance and is also easy to clean and maintain. Builders generally connect these decks to joists with the help of concealed fasteners. As a result, the appearance is excellent since screws are not visible on the surface. Decks built with high-quality composite retain their new look for a long time.
PVC Decking
PVC decking was introduced in 2009 and has been in use since then.
There is no wood fibre in PVC decking and it is made fully of a form of plastic known as polyvinyl chloride. It is easy to maintain and will not rot or get infested with insects as in the case of wood. However, since it is plastic, it may expand or shrink with extreme weather changes, so its joints may become loose, making the deck unsteady. And when exposed to too much sunlight, PVC decks may become quite hot.
Capped and Uncapped decking material
Both PVC decking and composite decking can be capped or uncapped. Uncapped material is cheaper but needs better maintenance since it is more susceptible to damage like staining and fungus infestation.
Capped material, on the other hand, is stronger because it has a hard outer covering. And since the core and covering are extruded together, there is no requirement for harmful chemical adhesives.
Which is better – Composite or PVC?
· Appearance
Composite decking has a more natural and authentic appearance because of the presence of wood fibre in it.
· Slip resistance
Composite material is more resistant to slipping because it is embossed with wood. So, for decks that may get wet easily, i.e., those in rainy places, around a pool, or around a tub, composite material is better.
· Weather adaptability
Because of the presence of wood fibre in it, the composite material will not easily expand or shrink like PVC material, based on increasing or decreasing temperature. Thus, the stability of the deck is better protected by using composite material.
· Mould resistance
Since PVC material is fully plastic, it is fully mould-resistant. As composite material contains wood, it is more vulnerable to getting infested by fungi. However, capped composite material is more mould-resistant than uncapped variety.
Final Words
Although PVC decking and composite decking are both made up of synthetic components, composite decking is preferred owing to its excellent adaptability, low need for maintenance, and long life.