When a customer asks about decking, the conversation usually starts with one question: wood or composite? Both are legitimate options, and each one suits a different kind of customer. Your job as a dealer is to help them understand what they’re getting with each choice so they can make a confident decision. Check out this guide that covers the practical differences between wood and composite decking and introduces both composite brands we carry at Lensing Building Specialties.

Wood decking has been a go-to choice for generations. It’s a natural material widely understood, and its upfront cost is often lower than that of composite alternatives. Many customers are already familiar with it, and some prefer the look and feel of real wood.

Composite decking is an engineered product made from a combination of wood fiber and recycled plastic. It’s designed specifically for outdoor use, with a focus on reducing the maintenance that comes with natural wood. The higher upfront cost is often offset by lower long-term costs, since composite boards don’t require the regular staining, sealing, or refinishing that wood does. Both materials can produce a beautiful deck. The right choice depends on what the customer values most.

One conversation worth having with customers focused on upfront cost: composite typically requires less ongoing maintenance than wood, which can make it more cost-effective over the full life of the deck. That said, wood remains a good fit for customers who are comfortable with seasonal upkeep and prefer natural material.

Every customer’s situation is different. Here are the questions that usually help clarify which direction makes sense:

• How much time are they willing to spend on maintenance each year?
• Is the deck near water, a pool, or in a high-humidity environment?
• How long do they plan to stay in the home?
• Is low long-term cost or low upfront cost the priority?
• Do they have a specific aesthetic in mind, such as natural wood look, contemporary, coastal?

We stock two composite decking lines: Envision and NewTechWood. Both are capped composite products, meaning the boards have a protective outer shell that resists moisture and UV exposure. They serve slightly different customer profiles, and understanding each one makes it easier to match the right product to the right project.

Consumer Reports’ top-rated composite decking for five years in a row.

Envision offers a tiered product lineup designed to fit a wide range of budgets and project types. It’s a well-recognized brand that gives customers an easy, trusted reference point when they’re doing their own research.

All Envision boards use capped composite construction, meaning the core is protected by an outer shell that resists moisture, UV exposure, and everyday wear. Within that foundation, the lineup breaks into three tiers based on profile, performance features, and price. For customers who spend a lot of time on their deck in warm weather, select series also include Cool Tread technology that is engineered to stay up to 25% cooler underfoot, provide 25% better traction, and absorb 61% less moisture than standard boards. It’s a worthwhile conversation to have any time a customer mentions heat as a concern, particularly for pool surrounds or south-facing decks.

Distinction: Capped solid board available in grooved or square edge. A good fit for customers prioritizing premium aesthetics and a solid, substantial feel underfoot. Colors: Spiced Teak, Rustic Walnut.

Distinction Cool Tread: Same capped solid construction with Cool Tread technology, which is engineered to stay up to 25% cooler, provide 25% better traction, and absorb 61% less moisture compared to standard boards. A natural fit for pool surrounds and south-facing decks. Colors: Nantucket Shore, Rockaway Beach.

Ridge Premium: Capped low-scallop board in grooved or square edge. Offers the performance benefits of capped composite at a more accessible price point. Colors: Alpine Fog, Black Walnut, Sandstone, Vintage Oak.

Ridge Premium Cool Tread: The same low-scallop board with Cool Tread technology at a value price point. Colors: Baja Tide, Kodiak Bay, Silver Drift.

Evergrain: Uncapped solid board with square edge. An entry-level composite option for customers who want the low-maintenance benefits of composite at the most budget-friendly price. Colors: Cape Cod Gray, Weathered Wood.

NewTechWood UltraShield is distinguished by its capping approach: every surface of each board is encapsulated rather than just the top and sides. That full-perimeter protection makes it a particularly strong option for projects in wet environments, waterfront properties, or climates with significant freeze-thaw cycles. The boards also feature embossed wood grain textures that resonate with customers who want a natural wood aesthetic without the upkeep that comes with it.

The lineup offers four board profiles across two edge types: solid and grooved, so you can match the right board to each part of the project. Grooved-edge boards are designed for hidden fastener systems and work well for field decking, while solid-edge boards are the right choice for stairs, perimeter boards, and anywhere the edge face of the board will be visible.

Cortes Series (US07): Solid two-sided board with Cathedral and Rustic grain options. Solid edge makes it well-suited for stair treads and deck perimeters where both faces of the board are visible. Colors: Argentinian Silver Gray, Brazilian Ipe, Indian Ebony, Peruvian Teak, Roman Antique, Spanish Walnut.

Bell Series (US53): Low-scallop board with Cathedral grain and grooved edge, designed for hidden fastener installation. The most versatile profile for general field decking. Colors: Argentinian Silver Gray, Brazilian Ipe, Indian Ebony, Peruvian Teak, Roman Antique, Spanish Walnut.

Monarch Series Empress (US125): High-scallop board with Cathedral grain and grooved edge for hidden fastening. Lighter weight is an advantage on larger projects. Colors: Castle Gray, Leather Brown.

Monarch Series Emperor (US129): High-scallop board with solid edge for use on stairs and border applications where the edge is exposed. Colors: Castle Gray, Leather Brown.

Samples are available for both Envision and NewTechWood, which are useful to have on hand when a customer wants to see colors and textures in person before committing. Learn more about our Envision product details and samples on our website here: lensingbuildingspecialties.com/composite-decking/envision-composite-decking/ and our NewTechWood UltraShield details and features here: lensingbuildingspecialties.com/composite-decking/newtechwood-ultrashield-decking/. Reach out to your Lensing rep or visit us today to learn more.