PVC Decking or Polyvinyl Chloride Decking is a lightweight type of synthetic decking. PVC became most popular in the late 2000s as non-capped composite was becoming less popular. PVC Decking has limitations, but is the most malleable type of man-made decking ideal for curved applications, made possible with the right tools. PVC Decking is also easier to cut and install than composites making it a favorite for some of the most elite builders in the deck industry.

Azek has the most options when it comes to PVC and has been an industry leader for years.

Fiberon has a PVC collection of decking called Paramount and is a widely variegated line with unique colors and surface texture

The introduction of Composite Decking in the 90s, made from recycled plastics and recycled or new wood fibers fused through an extrusion process radically changed the way people viewed low-maintance decks. However, early composites had a difficult time entering the market, and had some “kinks.” While the composite decking performed well, it would eventually fade and tended to absorb oils leaving colored stains on the deck. Some batches of composite decking even had problems with disintegrating, and a couple class action lawsuits gave composite decking a bad name. However, companies like Trex and Evergrain handled claims well and Evergrain, a Tamko product, is still produced and sold in select colors.

After the initial shortcomings of composite decking, manufacturers realized that with some ingredient modifications and an exterior coating of cap-stock similar to that of a golf ball, new composite boards called Capped Composite could become a great success. Indeed, that was the case. Capping the composite decking led to a truly low-maintenance deck board that was impervious to staining and fading, providing the market with exactly what it needed. Today, Capped Composite is the most common type of synthetic decking and has a wide range of textures and profiles.

Fiberon was one of the first brands to provide Capped Composite Decking and has a variety of profile options. TimberTech is another big name in Capped Composite Decking, pushing the decking market with their innovative decking profiles and offering the largest scale in composite pricing, with their top collection costing nearly double the lowest priced decking collection.

Envision is the Capped Composite Brand of Decking from Tamko, who also produces Evergrain. Envision decking has an incredibly dense coating that is highly resistant to scratching. They use a consistent grain pattern for all capped composite decking collections, with the three collections differing in price based on color variation alone.

Capped Composite Decking is a great choice and can easily be cut with a miter saw or circular saw. It also stands up well against scratching, fading, and staining. When choosing a Capped Composite Decking, be sure to compare the differences between product textures, colors, and brand warranties. Some other quality brands of Capped Composite Decking include Deckorators, Trex, and Armadillo.