PVC decking is harder and more scratch resistant than composite decking, it is also less absorbent, as it contains no wood pulp or post consumer recycled products. The price per board foot is typically equal to the premium grade composites. From an environmental standpoint, PVC is primarily plastic, containing very little recycled compounds. Composite decking comes in many varieties, prices, and brand names, such as Timbertech, Trex and Monarch. Your project budget and goals will dictate which product works best for you.
The main difference between composite and PVC decking is the construction of the material. Composite is exactly as it sounds- a blend of wood and plastic. It has many advantages over some softer wood decking products but it is not without flaws. Just like wood it is susceptible to fading, mold, and mildew over time. Over the recent years manufacturers have made a hybrid product called “capped composite” which blends the best qualities of a composite and a PVC, thus reducing any of the negative attributes previously associated with composite. Currently on the market there are three types of non-wood related decking. They are in order of price; traditional composite, capped composite and PVC.
The best choice of decking really comes down to the budget of your project and the climate in which your home resides.