Composite Decking vs. HDPE Plastic Decking

To avoid the maintenance and short lifespan of traditional wood, buyers turn to modern alternatives like wood composite and plastic decking. In this blog post, we review the differences between the composition and benefits of composite decking and HDPE plastic decking like WearDeck.

What is Composite Decking?

Composite decking includes organic and plastic ingredients. Manufacturers blend wood fibers like wood chips or sawdust with virgin or recycled plastic and additives. The plastic elements usually include polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), or polyvinyl chloride (PVC). While all composite decking contains both wood and plastic, the amount of wood compared to plastic in each board depends on the product.

What is HDPE Decking?

HDPE deck boards fall into the category of fully synthetic or plastic lumber. Unlike composite decking, HDPE boards exclude any organic materials like wood fibers. Manufacturers use virgin or recycled high-density polyethylene (HDPE) as the key ingredient in the deck boards. Though HDPE plastic may seem unfamiliar, you likely come in contact with it daily in the form of products like milk jugs and shampoo bottles.

Is Composite or HDPE Plastic Decking Better?

Both decking options provide benefits compared to traditional wood decking, but synthetic HDPE deck boards offer superior value and longevity for your project. Composite decking contains permeable wood fibers that cause tons of problems. The organic material begins to absorb moisture, fade, stains, swell, and feed bacteria and insects. To discover more about the drawbacks of composite decking, read our blog post “What Is Composite Decking?”.

The Benefits of HDPE Lumber

HDPE deck boards supply lasting benefits for your project. Because they only contain synthetic materials, they cannot absorb moisture. Waterproof HDPE decking withstands extreme weather and protects from insect infestation, mildew, mold, and rot. WearDeck is a HDPE deck board that boasts benefits like:

• Heat-reflective Technology with Barefoot colors that stay cool in extreme heat
• Structural, Load-Bearing Capabilities
• Spans 24 inches on center compared to composite decking’s maximum span of 16 inches on center
• Over two times the strength of composite decking
• Virtually no thermal expansion and contraction (6-8 times less movement than composite)
• Rated for underwater and ground installation
• Limited Lifetime Warranty