Don’t Waste Your Money on Decking (Composite vs Wood)

Summary by Krater

A comparison and installation guide for four common deck materials: pressure treated wood, western red cedar, composite, and PVC. The video evaluates installation methods, cost over 50 years, and weather resistance.

From the video

Answers: Which deck material is best: pressure treated, cedar, composite, or PVC?

• Pressure treated wood decking installation and costs
• Western red cedar decking installation and costs
• Composite decking installation and costs
• PVC decking installation and costs
• Deck screw selection and corrosion resistance
• Hidden fastener systems for decking
• Deck deflection under load testing
• Heat and fire resistance testing of decking materials

What it concludes

• Pressure treated wood is the lowest cost option and is naturally prone to rot and bugs if untreated.
• Western red cedar is naturally resistant to rot and bugs, smells great, and has a 15 to 20 year lifespan.
• Composite decking is 100 percent recycled plastic and wood, highly resistant to moisture, and comes with a 50-year warranty.
• PVC is solid plastic with a high price tag and good fade resistance, but deflects more under weight than wood or composite.
• Composite decking has the lowest deflection under extreme heat and weight tests compared to pressure treated wood, cedar, and PVC.
• For a four-season climate with hot and cold extremes, a no-maintenance luxury composite deck provides the best long-term value despite a higher upfront cost.