The Edmonton Deck builders guide: Composite Decking Benefits:
- Rob Kelly
- Jan 30
- 5 min read
When it comes to upgrading your outdoor space, choosing the right decking material is key. Composite decking offers incredible benefits, especially here in Edmonton. It’s durable, maintenance free, looks fantastic all year-round and retains that brand new deck look for 25 - 35 or even 50 years, depending on the product. If you want a deck that stands up to our unique climate and keeps your backyard looking great. composite decking is a smart choice.
What is Composite Decking?
Composite decking is a popular, low-maintenance building material made from a blend of recycled plastics and reclaimed wood fibers (like sawdust), creating durable, eco-friendly boards that mimic the look of natural wood but resist rot, warping, and pests, requiring minimal maintenance. This engineered material is made by heating and extruding the mixed ingredients into consistent board shapes, often with added protective polymer capping for enhanced performance
Why Choose Composite Decking?
Durability: Composite decking resists rot, warping, and splintering. It handles Edmonton’s cold winters and hot summers without cracking or fading.
Low Maintenance: Forget sanding, staining, or sealing. A simple wash with soap and water keeps your deck looking fresh.
Eco-Friendly: Made from recycled materials, composite decking helps reduce waste and supports sustainable building.
Aesthetic Appeal: It comes in a variety of colours and textures that mimic natural wood beautifully.
Home Value: a composite deck or upgrading your outdoor living space will increase the resale value of your home.
These benefits make composite decking a smart investment. You get a beautiful, long-lasting deck that requires zero maintenance and you add value to your home.
Top Composite Decking Brands
There are three main, or veteran companies in the composite board manufacturing game with some great up-and-comers. Here I will give my opinion on some benefits for each brand and our personal favorites and why.
The Big Three
🌿 Fiberon Decking – Value + Style + Ease
What Fiberon Does Well:
Low Maintenance: Like all composite decking, Fiberon doesn’t need staining, sealing, or painting—just occasional cleaning when needed keeps it looking great.
Wood-Like Appearance: Fiberon is known for realistic wood grain textures and a wide range of colors that mimic natural wood beautifully.
Competitive Pricing: "Best bang for your buck". Generally sits in the mid-range of price, giving you excellent performance and looks for the cost.
Warranty Options: Premium Fiberon lines often come with long fade/stain warranties (often up to 50 years)—good long-term peace of mind.
Eco-Friendly: Uses recycled materials. meaning it is good for sustainable building.
Best For: Homeowners who want excellent appearance and value with a mid range cost.
🛠 TimberTech Decking – Premium Performance & Durability
What TimberTech Excels At:
High-End Durability: TimberTech boards—especially Advanced PVC and premium capped composites—are built to resist moisture, mildew, fading, stains, and scratches.
Superior Aesthetics: Known for some of the most realistic wood grain textures, colors, and multi-tonal finishes in the composite decking market.
Four-Sided Capping: Many TimberTech boards are fully capped on all sides, which enhances moisture resistance and long-term performance.
Long Warranties: Many lines offer long fade & stain warranties and product warranties, often matching or exceeding other brands.
Multi-width boards: Timbertech now offers multi-width boards, becoming the first composite or PVC decking manufacturer to offer different widths of deck boards. this can be used to create bold and outstanding designs increasing the aesthetics of the deck greatly.
Best For: Those willing to invest more upfront for top-tier durability, appearance, and performance
🌎 Trex Decking – Eco-Friendly & Proven Reliability
Trex Strengths:
Eco-Focused: Made from a very high percentage of recycled materials (up to ~95%), helping divert plastic and wood waste from landfills.
Low Maintenance: Like Fiberon and TimberTech, Trex won’t require annual staining or sealing, and simple cleaning is all that’s needed.
Resistant to Elements: Excellent resistance to moisture, rot, mold, and mildew—boards won’t splinter or warp like wood.
Range of Options: Trex offers multiple product tiers, from more budget-friendly lines to premium boards with deeper wood-grain textures and enhanced durability.
Warranty Coverage: Many Trex lines include long warranties for fade and stain resistance.
Best For: Homeowners prioritizing eco-friendly materials although most composite decking is made using recycled material and sustainable methods.
Some Up-and-Comers
🧱 Deckorators – High-Performance & Innovative Materials
Deckorators brings something a bit different to the market, with strengths including:
Innovative technology: Their mineral-based composite (MBC) boards combine polymers and minerals for exceptional strength and stability, with less expansion and contraction in temperature swings.
Lightweight yet strong: MBC boards are significantly lighter than traditional composites while maintaining high load capacity.
Slip resistance & safety: Designs with enhanced traction are good for wet areas like pool decks.
Durability in tough environments: Some Deckorators lines resist moisture and can be installed even in ground or water contact situations.
Best For: Projects where strength, minimal expansion, and advanced performance are priorities — especially near water or in variable climates.
🪵 Zuri PVC Decking – Luxury Hardwood Look & Tough Finish
Key Benefits:
Premium hardwood visuals: PVC boards mimic exotic wood grain and colors with minimal repetition for a more natural look.
Exceptional surface durability: Zuri decking boards can be about 30% harder than other synthetic decks and five times more wear-resistant than typical composite surfaces.
Fade & stain resistance: Highly UV-resistant acrylic cap keeps colors vibrant — backed by a 25-year Color Fastness Warranty.
Slip resistance: Designed for better traction, meeting safety requirements for ramps and walkways.
Versatile style options: Multiple classic wood tones like walnut, chestnut, and weathered gray let you tailor the look of your space.
Best For: Homeowners looking for a luxury finish, exotic wood appearance, and high-end performance — ideal if aesthetics and surface toughness are top priorities.
Our Favorite: Our go to at Respectful Reno's & Decks is........... Fiberon. All of the decking brands offer many different product lines. I have found that Fiberon offers the best bang for your buck for an entry level. for a higher end product still at a competitive price point would be Timbertech. these are the two main brands we work with. With 10 years experience in the decking industry these products have stood out to me and now are the products we aim to work with.
Ultimately, the best choice depends on your budget, style preferences, and the installer you trust. I recommend working with your contractor to find the best fit.
Enhancing Your Outdoor Space with Composite Decking
Composite decking isn’t just practical - it’s also a fantastic way to enhance your outdoor living area. Here are some ideas to make the most of your new deck:
Pergolas: A pergola is an excellent addition to any outdoor living space. adding depth, and texture by adding another material but most importantly adds a place to hang your lights.
Install Lighting: LED deck lights, post caps, or hanging pergola lighting can add ambiance and safety for evening gatherings.
Create Zones: Define areas for dining, lounging, and grilling with different deck layouts or furniture arrangements.
Use Colour Contrast: Mix decking colours or add trim to create visual interest and highlight architectural features.
Privacy screens: Adding privacy screens not only adds valuable privacy, but also adds to the vibe of the space.
Curved decking or custom Inlay: Ask your contractor about curved design options or custom decking inlays.
Why I Recommend Composite Decking in Edmonton
After exploring all the options, I’m confident that composite decking is the best choice for Edmonton homes. It combines beauty, durability, and ease of care in a way that suits our climate perfectly. Plus, it’s an eco-friendly option that adds value to your property.
If you’re ready to upgrade your outdoor living space, consider working with a trusted local company like Respectful Renos and Decks. They specialize in quality workmanship and transparent communication, ensuring your project is smooth and satisfying.
For those interested in learning more or getting a quote, check out this resource on composite decking edmonton to see how you can transform your backyard today.
Comments