Wood, composite or PVC?

We favour PVC for its wood-free construction, strong moisture resistance and easy upkeep. Compare the choices to find the right fit for your home.

Decking materials: benefits and considerations
What matters to you	Pressure-treated or cedarWoodNatural character. Hands-on care.	Wood fibres + polymersCapped compositeWood looks with simpler upkeep.	Prestige’s recommendationAdvanced PVCOur preference for easy upkeep and moisture resistance.
Initial investment	Pressure-treated is often the most economical starting point. Cedar typically costs more.	Usually above pressure-treated wood. Prices vary by collection.	Often a higher initial investment for a premium finish. Collection prices overlap.
Everyday upkeep	Cleaning and periodic care. Stained or sealed finishes need renewal; restoration may involve sanding.	Periodic cleaning. No routine sanding, staining or sealing.	Periodic cleaning. No routine sanding, staining or sealing.
Moisture resistance	Drainage and proper detailing matter. Wood can weather, check and develop splinters.	The protective cap helps resist moisture. Core and cap construction vary.	A wood-free core offers strong moisture resistance throughout the board.
Look & feel	Genuine grain and knots. Cedar can be finished or left to weather naturally.	A broad range of wood-inspired colours and textures.	Refined wood-inspired finishes, from warm tones to contemporary greys.
Comfort in sunshine	Can warm up in direct sun. Shade and colour affect comfort.	Can get hot, especially in darker colours. Shade helps.	Can get hot too. Cooler-touch features depend on the specific product and colour.
Wear & repairs	May need refinishing or board replacement as it ages.	Can still mark or scratch. Follow the manufacturer’s repair guidance.	Can still mark or scratch. Follow the manufacturer’s repair guidance.
Warranty	Treatment coverage, where offered, is different from a finish warranty.	Coverage and conditions vary by brand and collection.	Coverage and conditions vary by brand and collection. Check your selected product.

Tap a material to see its benefits and considerations.

Prestige’s recommendationAdvanced PVC

Our preference for easy upkeep and moisture resistance.

Initial investment: Often a higher initial investment for a premium finish. Collection prices overlap.
Everyday upkeep: Periodic cleaning. No routine sanding, staining or sealing.
Moisture resistance: A wood-free core offers strong moisture resistance throughout the board.
Look & feel: Refined wood-inspired finishes, from warm tones to contemporary greys.
Comfort in sunshine: Can get hot too. Cooler-touch features depend on the specific product and colour.
Wear & repairs: Can still mark or scratch. Follow the manufacturer’s repair guidance.
Warranty: Coverage and conditions vary by brand and collection. Check your selected product.

Wood fibres + polymersCapped composite

Wood looks with simpler upkeep.

Initial investment: Usually above pressure-treated wood. Prices vary by collection.
Everyday upkeep: Periodic cleaning. No routine sanding, staining or sealing.
Moisture resistance: The protective cap helps resist moisture. Core and cap construction vary.
Look & feel: A broad range of wood-inspired colours and textures.
Comfort in sunshine: Can get hot, especially in darker colours. Shade helps.
Wear & repairs: Can still mark or scratch. Follow the manufacturer’s repair guidance.
Warranty: Coverage and conditions vary by brand and collection.

Pressure-treated or cedarWood

Natural character. Hands-on care.

Initial investment: Pressure-treated is often the most economical starting point. Cedar typically costs more.
Everyday upkeep: Cleaning and periodic care. Stained or sealed finishes need renewal; restoration may involve sanding.
Moisture resistance: Drainage and proper detailing matter. Wood can weather, check and develop splinters.
Look & feel: Genuine grain and knots. Cedar can be finished or left to weather naturally.
Comfort in sunshine: Can warm up in direct sun. Shade and colour affect comfort.
Wear & repairs: May need refinishing or board replacement as it ages.
Warranty: Treatment coverage, where offered, is different from a finish warranty.

Grey PVC fascia wrapping around a rounded outside corner without an exposed mitre seam — A Prestige project detail

The Prestige finish

Beautiful corners. No exposed mitre.

We can shape suitable PVC boards for a smooth, wrapped corner finish, as shown in this project detail.

Available on selected products and designs. We confirm the detailing and any manufacturer warranty implications before quoting.

About this comparison

This guide compares typical material characteristics. Your product, colour, site conditions and installation affect the result. We’ll confirm your choices at the site visit.

Manufacturer resources: TimberTech material guide, Treated wood care, Cedar finishing guide (PDF), Trex care & performance. Links open in a new tab.