The Honest Truth About Decking Materials: Wood vs. PVC

If you’ve walked into a building supply store lately, you know the feeling. You are staring at a wall of 50 different decking samples—some are wood, some look like plastic, some cost $2 a foot, and others cost $12.

It is overwhelming. And honestly, a lot of the marketing fluff out there doesn't help.

At Naklo Fence & Deck, we have built hundreds of decks across London, St. Thomas, and the surrounding area. We have seen what holds up to our freezing winters and humid summers, and what falls apart.

Wolf PVC Decking

Here is your no-nonsense guide to choosing the right material for your backyard.

1. The "Real" Wood Options

For years, wood was the only game in town. It is still a fantastic choice, but you need to know what you are buying.

Pressure Treated (MicroPro Sienna) Forget the old "green" lumber you grew up with. Modern pressure-treated wood uses MicroPro Sienna technology. It’s treated with copper and preservatives to resist rot and termites, but it comes with a warm, rich brown tone that looks great right out of the gate.

• The Verdict: This is the workhorse of the decking world. It is strong, affordable, and handles Ontario weather well. If you don't mind staining it every couple of years to keep the color fresh, this is the best "bang for your buck."

  
  

The Cedar Reality Check We get asked about Western Red Cedar all the time. It is beautiful, it smells amazing, and it is naturally rot-resistant.

• The Hard Truth: In my opinion, unless you are absolutely in love with the specific look of cedar, it is often hard to justify the price jump. Cedar is significantly more expensive than MicroPro Sienna, but it still requires maintenance. It will still fade to grey if you don't seal it. It is a "luxury want," not a functional need. If you are on a budget, stick with Pressure Treated. If you have the budget for Cedar, I usually recommend making the leap to PVC instead.

  
  

2. The Premium Synthetic Option (PVC & Composite Decking)

This is where the industry is going. Homeowners are tired of sanding and staining. They want a deck they can just use.

But be careful—not all synthetics are created equal. We avoid the cheap "big box store" composites because they can warp, fade, and scratch easily.

At Naklo, we stick to the heavy hitters: Clubhouse Composite Decking, Wolf, and Veka.

Why We Choose These Brands:

• Clubhouse & Wolf: These are premium PVC boards. Unlike older "composites" that had wood flour mixed in (which can mold), these are 100% synthetic. They are lighter, stronger, and impervious to water.

• The "Barefoot" Factor: One big complaint about plastic decking is heat. Brands like Wolf and Clubhouse have developed technology to keep boards cooler under the hot July sun compared to cheaper competitors.

• Durability: These boards are engineered to resist scratching from dog claws and staining from BBQ grease. You spill a burger? You wipe it off. That’s it.

  
  

How Do You Choose?

It comes down to one question: What is your Saturday afternoon worth?

• Choose MicroPro Sienna (Pressure Treated) if you want a strong, natural deck and you don't mind spending a weekend every year or two power-washing and staining. It is the most affordable way to get a custom Naklo deck.

• Choose PVC (Clubhouse/Wolf/Veka) if you plan to live in this house for a long time and never want to pick up a paintbrush again. The upfront cost is higher, but the 25-year warranty and zero maintenance mean it pays for itself over time.

  
  

Ready to Feel the Difference?

You can read about decking all day, but you need to touch it. Call us to book a consultation. We’ll bring samples of the MicroPro Sienna and our premium PVC lines right to your backyard so you can see exactly how they look against your home.

Let’s build something that lasts.