Polyvinyl chloride is a flexible plastic material that makes a durable, low-maintenance substitute for wood trim. Purchase Trex® Signature™ touch up pens online today. Like capped composite, capped PVC adds an extra layer of protection to a standard plastic deck. Although Timbertech and Trex are both tough materials, they can still be scratched. No matter how those scratches happened, we set out to find the most scratch-resistant decking product. Q: Are redwood or cedar decks better if I want to use a natural product? That said, plastics have several known issues. Scratch resistance is a toss-up as PVC decking it's highly scratch and stain-resistant. Real world Decking Testing with 4 common deck boards!Today’s Build Show Sponsored by Azek and TimberTown. These issues stem from the plastic’s lack of resilience to harsh weather conditions. Endeck is able to withstand all conditions including moving deck furniture, wine spills, or dropping a greasy burger. Azek decking is made of a cellular PVC material which is basically plastic. However, due to normal wear and tear, scratches can happen on the composite decking. Decking | Tague LumberIt resists stains, scratches, splits, mold, and mildew; it's extremely durable and , retreat that can handle the outdoors without depleting them, and will do so for decades. Natural wood has always been popular because of how it looks. Cellular PVC decking with an ASA capstock is the best decking in the entire vinyl deck industry. Copyright © 2021 Flooringclarity.com All Rights Reserved. While capped decking is highly regarded in the decking industry due to its resistance to UV fading, scratches, and stains, be wary of companies that cut corners by only capping 1-3 sides of the board instead of all four. A: There are a handful of companies that promise guarantees over 30 years, but we found that most high-quality composite planks can last for around 25 years with regular maintenance. Never use metal shovels or sharp-edge tools when removing snow or ice from your composite or PVC deck. How to Fix Scratches on PVC Trim. Shovels and other hard tools can scratch your deck very quickly. does wolf pvc decking scratch art. Advantages of composite decking far outweigh the negatives as it doesn’t need to be refinished and can be cleaned and maintained easier than regular wood. There are major benefits to both capped polymer and capped composite boards. It is very hard to scratch and any scratches can be sanded out with 120+ grit paper. PVC gets chalky; Trex never does. Veka invented Cellular PVC decking years ago, and in recent years they’ve beefed it up and added an ASA (acrylic) capstock to it to further help resist fading. Q: Do I need a permit to build a deck from composite material or aluminum? Mildew and moisture can also be a concern if you don’t buy a capped product and live in wet areas or plan to use it around a pool. These issues stem from the plastic’s lack of resilience to harsh weather conditions. While all are pricier than domestic species, the trade-off could be well worth it as some are naturally resistant to insects and decay. Wood can be stained or painted to match any color in the rainbow, or you can simply coat it with some clear protection and enjoy its natural luster. Foot traffic — A deck is a natural place to entertain. It’s going to happen. When you want something traditional, wood is the only option that should be on your radar. For the most part, “routine” scratches won’t even be noticeable, but the deeper scratches you will probably want to cover up. However, it will last two to three times longer, require no seasonal staining or sealing, be splinter free, mold resistant, scratch resistant, fade resistant, and stain resistant. Capped PVC is so tough that brands like Azek even promise a lifetime warranty against rot and termites. , WOLF also makes PVC porch flooring with the same long lasting, high, If you are concerned about durability, scratches, and dings, tropical hardwoods like IPE are also an option. A: Both are excellent materials that can naturally resist rot and insects that would typically destroy wood. Are you worried about termites and rot? Q: Is one type of decking material easier to install than another? Unfortunately for decks built from wood, that means scratches are inevitable. If the stains penetrate the decking too deeply, they may prove nearly impossible to remove. He did say, even if you don’t use a stain marker, the scratch itself will essentially fade away over time as the deck is naturally exposed to air and environmental factors. When exposed to heat, the molecules inside the plastic expand. Engineers take this into account during design. Here's what we discovered. Your décor has no effect on Trex, which maintains its rich color and shape no matter what you put on it. In fact, PVC is less impact-resistant and therefore more susceptible to scratches, dents and dings from moving your furniture around the deck. But what is PVC decking, and how does it compare to composite vs wood decking? Using a metal shovel or a shovel lined with metal will scratch your decking. That said, there are budget-friendly products if you are willing to go uncapped. Plastic shovels or plastic/nylon bristled deck brooms should be used to easily remove snow from the deck and will limit the risk of scratches to the deck surface. Boards made from a mix of wood and plastic are heavier than pine or cedar planks and will cost a bit more as well regardless of the grade. Before attempting to clean your deck, whether looking to remove stains, power wash, deciding on a type of deck cleaning solution, etc., always check with the care and cleaning guidelines listed on the website of the company your product was purchased from (TimberTech, Azek, Trex, Fiberon). Plastic shovels or plastic/nylon bristled deck brooms should be used to easily remove snow from the deck and will limit the risk of scratches to the deck surface. Apex 1 in. Modern composite decking has been engineered to stand up to decades of harsh weather, sun and constant foot traffic. Cheaper brands tend to be more slippery than the name brand materials because the cap or pvc is of lesser quality. You may think traditional wood decking is the best choice for you, but there could be better options available depending on the climate in your area and your overall needs. Worse yet, gouges and scratches on composite decking can’t be fixed, unless you completely replace the board. Your color options are also limited as well, so you need to consider a shade carefully considering you can’t change the look of these decks. You won’t have to worry about accidents on your deck, and their nails aren’t going to gouge or beat up the plastic. Vekadeck is the best vinyl deck board in the entire industry. Composite decking can also be hyper-realistic to resemble a tropical hardwood without the labor-intensive upkeep. They’re also relatively easy to repair when scratches do occur. Dissipates heat much faster than Composites but looks like wood. Discover our Apex deck board series, made using cutting-edge technology that delivers the beautiful look of tropical hardwoods and available in 4 natural-looking colors. You won’t mistake aluminum decking for wood, and it certainly feels different underfoot. In effect, the stain from the marker will fade and blend into the plank. Scratching: Composite decking is made of a combination of wood and plastic. Well, that’s not an issue with metal, and aluminum can even be recycled if you decide to move to a different style of decking later on. If your wood deck got scratched, it can be sanded down. It was the top option for decades before composites came along, and is still a great all-around choice today as well. Alternatively, a scalloped 3-sided board is extremely cheap which makes composites an attractive option when your budget is tight. A: Endeck's unique cellular PVC is engineered to have a solid uniform cell structure inside which is completely sealed with a HardCover™ capstock for the ultimate in protection and durability. Power washing your deck can be a big mistake and is not usually recommended for cleaning composite decks unless it is by a. Skip composite and stick with real wood. PVC decking therefore refers to capped polymer deck boards, such as the TimberTech® AZEK® line, and is an offering within the larger composite decking category of the decking industry.. Why Choose PVC Decking? Before you can decide which material is best suited for your region, you first need to understand a little more about the materials themselves. Like with PVC, with most products, you’re stuck with the original color, so you can’t strip and change the color of your decking like you can with wood. Check out the Fiberon Concordia, Fiberon Sanctuary, and Fiberon Good Life composite decking lines today! It is important to keep your pets from scratching composite decking. Composite decking does not typically get hotter than pressure treated wood. Patio furniture, BBQ grills, kids toys, and even the family dog’s nails can all leave gouges in the composite decking. Hold a heat gun no closer than 7 inches to the scratched surface of the decking. On the downside, PVC decking tends to get warmer in the summertime than a composite board. Make sure you choose a non-toxic, sodium percarbonate based cleaner. Even the most resilient boards could be scratched or gouged. It is sometimes partially composed of recycled plastic material, making it an environmentally friendly, efficient use of resources. All it takes is one sudden chair movement or an unpadded patio table to create a hefty scratch in that beautiful new deck.Protect your investment from scratches by just taking a few precautionary measures. https://buildingadvisor.com/materials/decks-porches/composite-plastic-decking A: PVC deck boards or aluminum. That said, plastics have several known issues. Today’s PVC decking brands like Azek, which is owned by Timbertech, are also as skid resistant as capped boards. Vekadeck is the best vinyl deck board in the entire industry. A: Endeck decking employs our exclusive HardCover™ technology capstock and is extremely stain and scratch resistant. The protective shell technology means all of our deck boards resist staining, fading and cracking, with the highest level of scratch resistance available from our Transcend Earth Tones and Tropicals decking lines, followed by Select Earth Tones, Enhance Naturals and Enhance Basics. PVC decking options are fairly expensive, and the best products are only a few dollars cheaper per square foot than aluminum planks. If the ingredients include Sodium Hypochlorite, it contains Bleach. Plus, a PVC vinyl deck is scratch resistant. Composite decking … Scratch-resistance is top-notch, but again, capped products are a better choice in that regard as well. A: Decks built from any type of material can require a permit, although it depends on the deck height compared to the ground level grade. Chlorine Bleach is extremely corrosive and will eat away at your deck eventually causing discoloration of your decking, damage the surface, and intensify any mold issues that can occur. While the pros of aluminum decking may sound great, it definitely is not the best choice for everyone. Cold climates are an option as well considering it won’t contract and expand like other materials. That means pool decking or states that receive a lot of rain seasonally are all year long. While PVC is one of the most resilient, aluminum decks can outlive any other style. The outside PVC coating is much more resistant to scratches and fading. Azek decking is made of a cellular PVC material which is basically plastic. For these products, the veneer often does not completely seal the board, allowing for moisture to penetrate the composite which can cause the boards to expand or warp. Additionally, composites have evolved into top-performing decking solutions with greater stain, fade and scratch resistance. As it’s organic, some species can quickly rot or become fodder for carpenter bees and other insects if not properly treated. The TimberTech rep told me these marker work great on the deep scratches. Cellular PVC decking with an ASA capstock is the best decking in the entire vinyl deck industry. That means there is a small amount of organic material in this style of decking, so it looks and feels more like wood than capped PVC. That would be aluminum decking, and it’s the only material that can outlast you… and your home when properly taken care of. The use of composite and plastic decking products as an alternative to timber may still be relatively new in Australia but there's already a vast range of products available and it's growing. TimberTech also didn't show the scratch because of its thick polyurethane cap. So the question shouldn’t be which one is better. But instead of being a mix of wood and plastic, PVC decking is 100% plastic. How to Remove Scuffs and Scratches from a PVC Deck - Just in time for your weekend barbeque. Color selection can also be an issue as you won’t have nearly the selection of hues, so we hope you like off-whites and greyish tones. MAXimize the Beauty of Your Deck with DeckMAX Be sure to shovel parallel to the direction the boards are laid. … Power washing incorrectly, such as too close or with too much pressure can ruin your deck scratching it and opening the material up to a host of other issues such as splintering, mold and a variety of other problems. Never use metal shovels or sharp-edge tools when removing snow or ice from your composite or PVC deck. Most modern composite decking brands offer non skid decking which really does work. We’re looking at you Seattle. It’s also perfect for upper deck as there are interlocking products that are watertight with built-in channels to direct the rain instead of letting it drip. While Brazilian Walnut decking can be more expensive than a solid composite, there are other exotic alternatives like Tigerwood as well. Aside from the price, the biggest disadvantage to PVC decking is the fact it can sag or feel spongy under your feet. You can find out more about composites and their price ranges in our Ultimate Decking Guide. You won’t have to worry about accidents on your deck, and their nails aren’t going to gouge or beat up the plastic. A: Composite or aluminum deck boards. FAQ. Simply put, there is no material that looks more natural than a wooden deck, and the ability to change the color is a huge bonus most consumers overlook. Things are pretty clear cut when you are dealing with aluminum or PVC decking, but composites tend to complicate things. And just like with Trex, it’s composite core and sturdy capping keep your deck’s aesthetic beauty by repelling scratches, dents, and even insects. If you need to shovel snow off of your deck, gently use a plastic shovel or a broom to remove snow. Composite decking is not a passing trend. Work in the direction of the grain and gently buff out the damage. That said, a good grill mat is the best way to keep your deck safe when grilling. Because the core contains no wood fibers, it won’t absorb moisture or be susceptible to rot. Q:  Which is more realistic synthetic decking, composite, or PVC? SPILLS, SCRATCHES, AND STAINS! Regular boards resist stain and UV rays well, but a capped product that’s covered on all sides increases its resiliency considerably. While PVC isn’t as hard as Jatoba or even domestic Oak, capped products can keep your decks from fading for several decades. LockDry® Aluminum Waterproof Decking from Nexan. Composite decking has come a long way over the years and is becoming more and more popular every day. Veka invented Cellular PVC decking years ago, and in recent years they’ve beefed it up and added an … PVC Vinyl Decking and Heat Expansion. Use a wire brush to scrape in the same direction of the grain while using the heat gun on the area. Looking for Qualified Installer for Decking？, Composite Decking Reviews: Brands, Colors and Cost, Composite vs Wood vs PVC Decking: Which is Better and How Much They Cost, Aluminum Decking Reviews: Pros and Cons, Prices, Best Brands 2020, Decking Ultimate Guide – Types, Reviews, Prices and Best Brands 2020, Best Waterproof Laminate Flooring Brands 2020, Wood Deck Railing Reviews, Installation and Cost, Stainless Steel Cable Railing Reviews, Installation and Cost, Aluminum Railing Reviews, Installation and Cost, Glass Railing Reviews, Installation and Cost, Wrought Iron Railing Reviews, Installation and Cost, Hog Wire Deck Railing Reviews, Installation and Cost, 12 Tips for Choosing the Best Flooring Options in Every Room, Ceiling Tiles Reviews and Installation Cost, Decorative Ceiling Tiles Reviews and Costs. You cannot go to any lumber yard or store and order Veka. We used four different types of decking: Cedar (softwood), Ipe (Brazilian hardwood), TimberTech (Capped Composite), and Azek (100% PVC). Plastic (PVC) Like composite, plastic decking is simply a more cost-effective alternative to capped PVC. Discover The pinnacle of high-quality decking. Fade, scratch, water-damage and slip resistant. No worries — we’ve made it easy for you. Some composite materials mimic wood grain and others are monochromatic or multi-chromatic. You don’t have to spend a lot of time or effort keeping these decks clean, and it’s the closest thing you can get to real wood without the serious drawbacks. Fiberon Paramount® PVC Decking in Sandstone. Q: Which decking material will last the longest? You should also be able get in contact with them via phone, email, or contact a company representative. Zuri ® Premium Decking by Royal ® goes beyond wood decking by combining the aesthetics of exotic timber while holding its beauty far longer than any wood could. PVC decking offers the most significant fade, stain, and mold resistance among decking products. x 6 in. MAXimize the Beauty of Your Deck with DeckMAX Have you ever gotten a splinter in your foot? Because the core contains no wood fibers, it won’t absorb moisture or be susceptible to rot. We feel wood is best suited for people that don’t mind maintenance and want something that brings depth and warmth to the outdoors. Well, that’s bound to happen with a wood deck eventually unless you keep it in tip-top shape. As much as we love wood, the weather can be hard on it. Over time, scratches are practically inevitable. Keep reading for an explanation of PVC decking and its benefits, how it relates to composite decking, plus, and which innovative capped polymer lines from TimberTech is right for you. As there are no organic materials in PVC boards, they won’t rot, splinter or split and they will never need to be refinished or stained. What is PVC Decking? Softer woods like Pressure-treated Pine, Cedar, and Redwood, are extremely cheap compared to aluminum or PVC and nothing can replicate the feel and warmth it adds to your home. A: Aluminum as you can’t burn it, and it’s easy to rinse off. Like most decking, there are a several styles of PVC decking available, but the main thing you will need to remember is capped vs. uncapped considering capped boards offer an extra layer of protection. Aluminum decks are stiff, but still lightweight and won’t flex underfoot like plastic or composite boards. Composite and PVC Decking and Railing Woodhaven Lumber and Millwork . Decks come in many shapes and forms from small patios big enough for a few people to relax on along with second-story decks that can handle your whole family. The wooden particles can soak up water, oil or grease and then it is difficult to remove such stains. porous surface will scratch easily, non-porous, highly resistant to scratch . 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Reduce chance of rot and insects that would typically destroy wood no worries — we ’ ve it.