Spent $600 on a composite deck and wish I went with PVC instead

I redid my back deck in June here in Portland and went with a mid range composite from a big box store. After just 4 months it's already showing some fading and a couple spots where moisture got in near the edges. The installer told me composite was a good middle ground but I'm seeing now that PVC might've been worth the extra $200 or so. Has anyone else dealt with composite decking not holding up as promised?

3 comments

3 Comments

roberts.diana2mo ago

Yeah that "good middle ground" line is exactly what the installer told me too. I put in a similar brand composite three summers ago in Seattle and the fading got real bad after the first year. One of the boards near my grill also got this weird soft spot right at the edge where water collected. I think the sales guys just push what has the best margin for them not what actually lasts.

logansullivan2mo ago

Yep @roberts.diana the soft spot near the grill is a real problem.

kim.hannah8d ago

Does the fading get worse in direct sun or is it pretty even across all the boards? Because mine did this thing where the shaded parts under the eaves stayed dark but the rest turned this weird grayish brown after just one winter. I'm starting to think "good middle ground" is code for "this is the cheapest stuff we can sell you that still technically counts as composite." And you're totally right about the installer pushing his own margin - mine tried to upsell me on a premium line but then talked me down to the mid-range when I hesitated. Now I'm stuck with boards that look rough after three years and I'm already planning to replace them with PVC instead. At least with real wood you know what you're getting - these composites are just plastic dust glued together with mystery binders.