Choose PVC, aluminum, fiber, or composite materials for your deck if you want to relax more and maintain less
When considering a new deck, it's easy to picture yourself enjoying it on a lovely day lounging with friends and family with a cold drink in hand. But you probably aren’t thinking about the technical aspects of having a deck—like sanding, sealing, and replacing planks. To keep the tedious stuff to a minimum, choose a maintenance-free decking material. Our guide will help you find the best one.
Wooden decks require frequent sanding and painting to look their best, not to mention replacing split boards at regular intervals. On the other hand, maintenance-free decks, as the name suggests, require minimal maintenance throughout their lifespans.
Some manufacturers prefer the term “low-maintenance” over “no-maintenance” decking, as you may still need to sweep or hose down your outdoor space every so often. Manufacturers typically create these decks with hearty composite materials capped with a tough resin finish that resists the elements and does not require sanding, painting, or, well, anything else aside from basic cleaning.
Durability is the name of the game for robust materials and thick, weather-resistant resins. In other words, you can count on your deck having a minimum lifespan of 25 to 30 years, with some decks reaching 50 years. To that end, most maintenance-free decks ship with a manufacturer’s warranty of 25 to 30 years. The average wooden deck lasts anywhere from 10 to 15 years, so the difference here is quite stark.
Why do they last so long? The same composite materials that allow these decks to forgo general maintenance tasks also increase their overall lifespans.
These materials resist mold, discoloration, splintering, and many other common issues related to traditional wooden decks. The resin capping adds even more protection, further extending the number of summers you can spend on your deck.
Many modern decking materials cut back maintenance concerns, but will they completely eliminate maintenance tasks, including simple cleaning? Not really. No matter the material, your deck will still be subject to general debris, mud, or even some heartier types of mold.
Despite its name, there is no such thing as a truly “no-maintenance” deck, but with the right decking materials, you can drastically reduce maintenance requirements for your new favorite outdoor entertainment space.
You’ll need to break out the broom and give your deck a good sweep from time to time, no matter the base material. In the case of mud, mold, or other debris that came in on the breeze, keep your hose handy for light washings. These are not labor-intensive cleaning procedures, however, especially when compared to cleaning a standard wooden deck.
Regular deck maintenance includes sweeping off debris, washing the deck with mild soap, and hosing it down or pressure washing it. Long-term maintenance includes repairing or replacing hardware or boards and always being on the lookout for damage, warping, or cracking/peeling paint.
There’s more than one way to beat back the march of time and keep your deck looking new for longer. You have a few choices for maintenance-free decking materials that go above and beyond simple wood planks.
Composite decking is the most popular maintenance-free decking option. Most composite decks feature a blend of wood and plastic, with other synthetic materials rounding out the formulation.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Pest-, mold-, and mildew-resistant | Pricier than some options |
| Requires no sanding, staining, or sealing | Budget-friendly composite may not be as nice to look at |
| Many attractive design options available | Can fade in the sunlight |
Composite doesn’t require sanding, staining, or sealing. It also resists pests, mold, rot, mildew, and more. Decks made of composite material are available in various colors and designs, making them an attractive addition to your yard. A composite deck is an eco-friendly option, too, with popular manufacturers like Trex decking advertising that composite decks are made from up to 95% recycled materials.
So what’s the downside? Because this type of deck is available at various price points, the look of some of the budget-friendly options may not be for everyone. Generally speaking, composite decking costs $4 to $12 per square foot. Some of the more complex textures and designs can reach up to $24 to $54 per square foot.
Additionally, composite decking can fade in the sunlight, particularly if you go with more affordable versions containing a higher percentage of plastic.
Polyvinyl chloride, otherwise called PVC or just vinyl, is a popular alternative to wooden decks.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Pest-, rot-, and damage-resistant | Not the cheapest option (but still affordable) |
| Can handle high foot traffic | Planks can warp and fade in the sun |
| Does not require sanding, staining, or sealing | May be difficult to repair |
PVC is human-made and completely synthetic. It doesn’t even include the wood fibers found in composite planks. These planks resist pests, rot, and cosmetic damage from high foot traffic during your frequent barbecues. Just like composite decks, PVC decking does not require sanding, standing, or sealing, though you will need a brush and a bucket of soapy water for regular cleanings.
PVC is not the best fit for hot and sunny areas, as these planks warp and fade with prolonged exposure to sunlight. Plus, it’s not always easy to repair this kind of decking. On average, vinyl decking ranges from $9 to $15 per square foot, making it a slightly more budget-friendly alternative to composite decking. These decks last around 25 years.
If you’re looking for longevity, aluminum decking has your back.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Extreme longevity—lasts for up to 60 years | Looks less natural than composite or wood |
| Stays cool even under the sun | Not the cheapest option (but still affordable) |
| Very little maintenance required | Can be loud if debris falls on the deck |
This type of decking material is not only resistant to insects, rot, and mold, but it also stays cool even when under intense sunlight, due to its hollow-core design. Aluminum decking lasts a lifetime, with estimates ranging from 30 to 60 years, and requires very little maintenance, though you should still sweep and wash your deck at regular intervals.
Aluminum decks come in many styles and colors, but many may find that they look less natural than composite decking or standard wooden planks. Additionally, because the deck is metal, it may produce a loud ping sound if debris falls on it, which may be bothersome. Aluminum decking costs $12 to $15 per square foot, making it fairly budget-friendly.
Fiber cement boards are an increasingly popular option in the world of maintenance-free decking.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Durable and resistant to splintering, shrinking, warping, rot, and pests | Heavier material means installation is more difficult and costly |
| Can last up to 50 years | Labor cost can outweigh savings on the decking itself |
| Comes in a wide array of wood-grain designs and colors | Not DIY-friendly |
This type of deck resists splintering, shrinking from heat, warping, moisture from rotting, and more. Fiber decking does not require staining, but it is a great option for those looking for a quick way to change the color of their outdoor space.
Want more of a natural look for your new deck? Fiber cement boasts an attractive wood grain texture, which is perfect if you’re going for an organic aesthetic. This type of decking lasts anywhere from 25 to 50 years.
A mixture of cellulose fiber, sand, silica, glass, and cement all come together to create fiber cement. These materials help with durability but make for a heavy and dense end product. In other words, installation is labor-intensive, from cutting and shaping the planks to arranging them as a deck. As a matter of fact, installing fiber cement decking requires specialized equipment, such as a fiber cement saw blade, and is not DIY-friendly.
Fiber decks cost $5 to $10 per square foot for materials, but you should count on higher-than-average labor costs due to the complexity of this project.
A unique decking solution that often goes unnoticed is rubber decking. Rubber paver tiles are manufactured using high-density rubber with a micro-porous surface that resembles a vehicle’s tires.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Mold and stain-resistant | Some people may not like its unique look |
| Very affordable | Can be difficult to clean since many solvents dissolve rubber |
| Remains non-slippery when wet and offers soft, comfortable footing | Easily damaged by sharp objects |
Just like tires, these pavers are invulnerable to water, in addition to offering resistance to mold, stains, and other issues that commonly plague wooden decks. They even remain non-slippery when wet, and the elasticity of the rubber makes for a comfortable walking experience.
Rubber decking is wallet-friendly at $3 to $5 per square foot, but the tiles can be tricky to clean, as many store-bought solvents can dissolve the rubber. Contact a local deck cleaner for more information on cleaning this unique material.
Additionally, keep in mind that even the strongest rubber materials can be dinged by sharp objects. This means that your deck might “gain character” over time, depending on how it’s used. And, of course, it looks nothing like a wooden deck does—which some people might consider a drawback.
Your deck should complement the overall aesthetic of your house in addition to serving as your new favorite venue for dinners al fresco. If you’re unsure which decking material is best for you, a contractor can help you narrow down your options based on your unique concerns and home features and can also install your deck with ease.
You should definitely consider where you want to build your deck and how much foot traffic it will get before starting your low-maintenance deck project. For a busy space that will get a lot of use, composite or PVC may be a better choice than soft wood that people can easily dent or scratch.
If you want a maintenance-free deck but know that your yard gets a lot of direct sun, it may make more sense for you to choose aluminum, which stays cool, as opposed to a composite material that may warp in the heat.
Sarah Coggan and Lawrence Bonk contributed to this piece.
While there are many different maintenance-free decking materials with long life spans, aluminum decking takes the cake for the most durable. Some aluminum decks can last as long as 60 years, whereas even the best composite or PVC decks might begin degrading after 25 years or so. (Still, this is more than enough time for many people to consider those materials worthy investments.)
Wood decking is made completely of wood from trees. Composite decking is a blend of several materials, both natural and synthetic. Composite decks do contain wood, but they also contain plastic and resins that increase the strength and longevity of that wood. Composite is designed in a way that doesn’t need to be sanded, stained, or sealed. Whether composite or wood decking is best, however, is up to you.
