There is something liberating about spending time outside on a deck. A deck is a wonderful addition to your home. An area to entertain, to relax and to enjoy the space you have created. Before you start building, however, you want to make sure that the material you choose matches the exterior of your home and fits lifestyle. There are questions you must ask yourself.
How much maintenance are you willing to do?
What kind of elements will it need to withstand?
Is choosing an environmentally conscious material a priority for you?
How much are you willing to spend?
Wood is still a popular choice, but new technologies are making composites more attractive and sustainable.
Wood: Maintained, It lasts
Although composite decking is gaining in popularity, natural wood decking is still the most attractive option.
Advantages: wood is nontoxic and is a natural, renewable resource; in fact, it sequesters carbon. It can be recycled and regenerated, and it biodegrades without any polluting byproducts. For the truly eco-conscious, softwoods are more sustainable than hardwoods, as they have a much more rapid regrowth rate. Choosing lumber certified by a third party ensures the wood was sutainably harvested; however, standards vary. The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) maintains stricter and more comprehensive standards than the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI).
Disadvantages: Issues with natural wood decking include vulnerability to hungry insects and rot, as well as the frequency and cost of general maintenance. Wood decks should be thoroughly cleaned annually, and should be refinished as soon as the color starts to fade—usually every few years.
Troubles come from wood:
Needs regular maintenance of painting, polishing or sealing 
Fades and rots easily, showing tough stains and scuffs 
Insects and termites can cause a considerable amount of structural damage
Not proof to moisture and water 
Inevitably weathered with splits and cracks 
Wood eventually result in deforestation
Recycled Composites: A Growing Field
WPC(Wood Plastic Composite) decking is usually comprised of a mix of recycled wood flour and plastic materials, bound by resins. There is a great variety of composite decking made from recycled content, and more options are likely to make an appearance in the near future. Like wood, they range from lower-end to middle-grade to high-end.
Capped composites, which include a protective PVC layer over a composite core, are better at resisting mold and mildew, and are generally more expensive.
For the experienced contractor, installing the composite decking is a fairly uncomplicated process, similar to wood, plus there are more design options in laying the deck boards. Wood is still a popular choice, but new technologies are making composites more attractive and sustainable. WPC is one of the latest materials used nowadays and is an option to replace natural wood. The comparison between the two materials are：
- WPC is split resistant and splinter free while natural wood is not.
- WPC is resistant to rot and termites while natural wood is not.
- WPC is more durable and weather resistant than natural wood.
- WPC is no painting or staining requirement with low maintenance. Natural wood needs to be cut to required sizes followed by painting or polishing.
- WPC has more color selections including those with the finish of traditional wood.
- WPC is a sustainable material which uses recycled plastic and waste wood, it is totally environmental protection product. Natural wood will eventually result in deforestation.
| Characteristics | WPC | Wood/Plywood |
| Moisture Resistance | Waterproof | Water absorptive |
| Decay/Rot Resistance | Antisepsis | Rot except special treating |
| Termite Resistance | Yes | None |
| Split Resistance | No Cracked | Cracked by weathering effect |
| UV Stability | High UV stable | Low UV stable |
| Deformation | None | Yes, because of weather |
| Painting/Polishing | No need | Yes |
| Durability | 10-20 years | 3-5 years |
| Outdoor Adaptability | Excellent | Poor, need periodic treatment |
| Environmental Friendliness | 100% Recyclable | Consume woods |
| Installation | Fast and easy | – |
Cost Comparison
Certain woods are more expensive than others, and composite decking ranges in price, as well. While some composite decking may be more expensive initially, its low maintenance may outweigh the initial upfront cost over the lifespan of the deck. This chart provides a vary general cost comparison of various decking materials.
What the Sundi WPC made of?
Sundi WPC is a green energy saving & environmental protection product, which is mixed the wood flour and high performance modified plastics with special additives, and extruded by special equipments and our patented moulds to make our high performance wood plastic composite materials. Our WPC(Wood Plastic Composite) is made of 55% eco-friendly wood fiber – 40% high-density polyethylene & 5% additives.
Zhongshan Sundi New Building Materials Co.,Ltd. is a professional manufacturer specializing in the R&D, production and sales of WPC (Wood Plastic Composite) materials, our products include: composite decking, co-extrusion/capped composite decking, WPC Pergola & Gazebo, WPC Railing & Fencing, WPC Wall Cladding, WPC Chairs & Bench, WPC Flower Planter Pots etc.
