<p>After 20 plus years of stripping, sanding and staining, we are building a new deck. We want something that is practically indestructible that requires virtually no maintenance. Can anyone recommend good quality decking material? Is there a difference between vinyl and composite? Is Trex the best product out there?</p>
<p>installed a Certainteed product in 2012; so far so good</p>
<p>I was a lawyer for a company that made composite decking and I’m familiar with the product (not in a good way). It is a crapshoot. If you have strong sun exposure, be wary. Lots of flaking and degradation- but, again, it depends on the exact formula used. You don’t know if there is an issue until your deck flakes or falls apart. I have family in PA who have never had a problem with their Trex decking. If money is no object, what you want is Epi. </p>
<p>MOWC, do you mean the hardwood Ipe?</p>
<p>we put Epi deck in 2002. Gulped at expense. Full California sun exposure. Have had it hand sealed (basically, used rag to brush on a colored preservative) twice. Second time was to alter the color to better coordinate with new house color, not because it needed it, or it had faded. Best decision ever. Still get people asking if we our deck is new.<br>
Will say our contractor exercised the F<em>**, S</em>*t, SOB, etc, frequently building the deck: it is such a hard wood, they went thru a LOT of saw/drill blades trying to cut wood. There are no nails…</p>
<p>Trek: neighbor had. looked very nice. had it removed (he has similar exposure as we do) as it was dangerous for his grandkids to walk barefoot on in the sun, and he felt it generated too much heat into his house…seriously burning hot to the bare foot.</p>
<p>A small portion of our deck was Trex for years before we replaced the whole thing with stone. It stood up very well, but was prone to some occasional tough staining. It could always be cleaned, though. But from what I recall it was in good shape, with no flaking, chipping or discoloration at all. </p>
<p>We bought this house with its huge rear deck that is wood covered with white vinyl. I’m sure it was sold to the previous owner as “maintenance-free”. It gets really yucky, black mildewy and we should pressure wash it every year but instead we scrub it down with bleach. It’s a real PIA, plus it is so big and bright white I don’t find it attractive at all. </p>
<p>If money is no object… Stone Deck. Luckily, our deck is small, so it was not an arm and a leg. Maybe a few toes and fingers. 
We used Ipe wood to finish the sides. Mr B laughed at the description of the construction - that wood rivals hardieplank siding when it comes to cutting/drilling it. </p>
<p>Seriously, slate is not that hard to maintain. Twice a year I use soap and water and a brush on a stick to clean it. </p>