8 Top Composite Decking Brands You Should Know
Composite material is a fantastic alternative to wood decking.
Although more expensive, composite decking lasts much longer, requires far less maintenance, and can be just as beautiful as wood.
Which brands should you consider if you’re considering a new composite deck?
The top 8 composite decking brands you should know include Cali Bamboo, Envision Composite Lumber, and Trex. Other notable mentions include CertainTeed, Moisture Shield, Wolf Decking, and Timbertech. Fiberon is also an excellent composite decking brand.
In this article, I’ll discuss the top composite decking brands and what makes them worth considering.
I’ll also answer some common questions about composite decking. Let’s begin!
1. Cali Bamboo
Based in San Diego, California, Cali Bamboo was founded when the owners realized what a great and eco-friendly building material bamboo is.
Aiming to do their part to mitigate global warming and preserve the earth’s natural resources, they founded Cali Bamboo in 2004. Today, they sell a high-quality range of bamboo-containing products, including:
- Composite decking
- Flooring
- Turf
- Rugs
Although they’re based in California, Cali Bamboo can ship you samples at a nominal cost.
You can choose between their BamDeck 4G or TruOrganics range when you’ve decided on your composite decking. Both come in beautiful colors and are highly durable.
Cali Bamboo’s composite decking is highly durable, including a weather-resistant wrap shield.
| Rating out of 5 | |
| Cost | 4 |
| Durability | 5 |
| Style | 4 |
| Color | 3 |
| Eco-friendliness | 5 |
2. Envision Composite Lumber
Pennsylvania-based Envision Composite Lumber is known for its premium quality composite decking products. Their composite decking is environmentally kind, made from recycled plastic with wood fibers.
They don’t offer an extensive range of decking, and you’ll be hard-pressed to find their products in physical stores. Still, their website is intuitive and features clear and detailed pictures of their composite decking so you can select the right product.
Envision’s prices are reasonable, and their decking is easy to install due to the clear instructions provided.
| Rating out of 5 | |
| Cost | 3 |
| Durability | 4 |
| Style | 3 |
| Color | 3 |
| Eco-friendliness | 5 |
3. Trex
Founded in 1996, Trex was the first US company to sell composite wood decking. Today, they offer an extensive range of composite products at competitive prices without compromising on quality.
Most of their decking is made from recycled plastic and reclaimed wood fiber, making it an eco-friendly choice, and they offer a wide range of styles and colors.
Installing Trex composite decking is simple, and they provide easy-to-follow instructions on their website and with the decking itself.
Trex offers a standard warranty of 25 years for its decking.
| Rating out of 5 | |
| Cost | 5 |
| Durability | 4 |
| Style | 4 |
| Color | 4 |
| Eco-friendliness | 5 |
4. CertainTeed
Another Pennsylvania-based composite decking company is CertainTeed. Although they focus mainly on siding, they also offer an impressive range of composite decking.
If you want excellent quality composite decking that will last for several decades, CertainTeed is worth considering.
Their composite decking is scratch resistant and comes with a lifetime warranty, which speaks to the product quality (most composite decking only comes with a limited 25-year warranty).
| Rating out of 5 | |
| Cost | 2 |
| Durability | 5 |
| Style | 3 |
| Color | 3 |
| Eco-friendliness | 4 |
5. Moisture Shield
Moisture Shield gets its name due to its popular decking products which are highly water resistant. Their composite decking is designed to maintain its structural integrity for at least 3 decades, won’t warp, and is insect resistant.
With its solid core center, Moisture Shield’s composite decking is made from 95% recycled materials. What’s more, their decking is proudly manufactured in the US.
Although Moisture Shield’s composite decking is more expensive than average, their customer service is excellent, and they have a user-friendly website with clear descriptions and photos of their products.
| Rating out of 5 | |
| Cost | 1 |
| Durability | 5 |
| Style | 3 |
| Color | 3 |
| Eco-friendliness | 4 |
6. Wolf Decking
Like CertainTeed, Wolf Decking offers a lifetime warranty on their decking. They also guarantee that your composite decking won’t fade for 50 years. This is due to their proprietary
ColorWatch100 technology.
Wolf Deckings products are made from 94% recycled materials, making them an eco-friendly choice.
Their composite decking range comes in 5 colors only, but each option is beautiful and well-made.
| Rating out of 5 | |
| Cost | 1 |
| Durability | 5 |
| Style | 3 |
| Color | 3 |
| Eco-friendliness | 4 |
7. Timbertech
Timbertech is another expensive composite decking manufacturer, but you’re paying for premium quality and can enjoy peace of mind with their unique 50-year anti-stain and fade guarantee.
If you’re undecided, Timbertech will ship you free samples, and they’re the best option for choosing between a wide range of colors and styles.
Unlike some other suppliers on this list, Timbertech’s composite decking consists only of 80% recycled materials.
| Rating out of 5 | |
| Cost | 2 |
| Durability | 4 |
| Style | 5 |
| Color | 5 |
| Eco-friendliness | 3 |
8. Fiberon
Headquartered in North Carolina, Fiberon, one of the original composite decking suppliers, founded their business in the late 1990s.
If you’re looking for highly durable composite decking, Fiberon is an excellent choice because it contains its patented PermaTech outer layer.
Fiberon offers something for all budgets and preferences, with 21 colors available.
Their composite decking is made of 50% recycled wood and offers a standard, industry-wide warranty of 25 years. However, you can enjoy a 50-year warranty if you buy their premium range line.
| Rating out of 5 | |
| Cost | 4 |
| Durability | 5 |
| Style | 5 |
| Color | 5 |
| Eco-friendliness | 1 |
A Brief History of the Evolution of Decking Technology
Composite decking originated in Italy in the 1960s, when Marco and Dino Terragni created a patent for wood composite.
However, the product only gained popularity in the 1990s, when Trex (the country’s first composite decking company) launched its own product.
Since many areas in the US experience frigid winters, the screws in early composite decking were problematic as they would pop out. This led to many companies changing their product’s makeup and screw types.
In the early 2000s, another innovation, co-extrusion, was created, which involved a more durable, weather and scratch-resistant outer layer.
Acetylation has been another impressive advance in composite decking. This chemical treatment makes decking even more durable and weather resistant.
Today, numerous companies worldwide offer composite decking as an alternative to wood.
Top Picks for Composite Decking Brands
If you’ve decided on a composite deck, below are my top picks:
- Best premium decking product: Timbertech
- Best budget-friendly decking product: Trex
- Good mid-tier options: Fiberon
- Best decking for fade and scratch resistance: Fiberon
Frequently Asked Questions
In the sections below, I’ll answer some common questions about composite decking:
Which Composite Deck Is Best?
The best composite deck depends on your style, budget, and color requirements. All composite decking is highly durable and weather resistant, but some have additional outer layers to be scratch, fade, and UV resistant.
It’s a good idea to select composite decking that enhances the look of your backyard.
Which Composite Decking Is Most Durable?
The composite decking from companies such as Fiberon is the most durable because it’s treated with a special PermaTech outer layer to protect it from weather elements. Most premium composite decking lines are also scratch resistant for added durability.
What To Look For When Buying Composite Decking?
When buying composite decking, you should consider the product’s quality, durability, and price. Other considerations include your color and style preferences and any building code regulations in your area. The decking’s ease of installation is also essential to think about.
Which Composite Decking Is Least Slippery?
Composite decking with embossing is the least slippery as it gives it additional traction. However, this decking type is, as a whole, not slippery, but selecting an embossed product adds extra safety when it’s wet or icy.
How Much Should I Expect To Pay for a Composite Deck?
You should expect to pay between $15 and $35 per sq ft (0.09 sq m) for a composite deck. However, this doesn’t include labor and extras. The final installed price is typically between $25 to $50 per sq ft (0.09 sq m).
What Decking Has No Maintenance?
All decking requires maintenance. However, composite and PVC decks require the least maintenance because you don’t need to sand, varnish, or treat them. All you need to do is clean them regularly with warm soapy water or hose them down.
How Much Does a 20×20 Composite Deck Cost?
A 20×20 composite deck costs between $300 and $700. However, this doesn’t include the installation and labor cost, which ranges between $10 and $15 per sq ft (0.09 sq m).
Many people install composite decking themselves because it comes with clear instructions.
How Much Does It Cost To Build a Composite Deck in 2023?
It costs between $15 and $35 per sq ft (0.09 sq m) to build a composite deck in 2023. If you don’t want to install the decking yourself, you can expect to pay an additional $10 to $15 per sq ft (0.09 sq m).
What Is the Labor Cost To Install a Composite Deck?
The labor cost to install a composite deck ranges from $10 to $15 per sq ft (0.09 sq m). This means the labor cost to install a 20×20 will be between $4,000 and $6,000. The total labor cost depends on the company and the complexity of your deck.
However, if you buy composite decking from a reputable company, they’ll include clear instructions, and you can usually contact their customer service department if you have questions.
How Much Does a Deck Cost 2023?
A deck costs between $15 and $35 per sq ft (0.09 sq m) in 2023 (excluding the labor and installation costs). Installing a composite deck isn’t challenging, but if you’d rather not have the hassle, the labor and installation cost ranges between $10 to $15 per sq ft (0.09 sq m).
How Far Apart Can Joists Be for Composite Decking?
Joists can be up to 24 in (60 cm) apart for residential composite decking and as little as 12 in (30 cm) apart. However, if you’re installing a commercial deck, the joists should be no more than 16 in (40 cm) apart.
