Cost Guides · Decking
Composite Deck Material: Capped vs. Uncapped vs. PVC Compared
Composite deck material comes in three builds: uncapped, capped, and PVC. Here is how they differ, what hidden fasteners and railing cost, and the joist spacing the makers require.
What is composite deck material?
Composite deck material is a manufactured board that blends wood fiber with plastic, sold in three builds: uncapped, capped, and PVC. Uncapped is the oldest style, an exposed blend with no shell. Capped wraps that same core in a plastic cap. PVC drops the wood fiber entirely. Trex, TimberTech, Fiberon, Deckorators, and MoistureShield sell composite lines; TimberTech and Fiberon also carry PVC lines (TimberTech Advanced PVC; Fiberon Paramount and Promenade).
Capped composite vs. uncapped composite: what changes?
The cap is the difference. An uncapped board takes in moisture at every face, so it fades and swells faster near grade. A capped board wraps the core in a plastic shell on three or four sides, so staining and moisture pickup drop sharply on the faces that see weather. That is why most current lines from Trex, TimberTech, and Fiberon ship capped; uncapped now shows up mostly in budget tiers.
The tradeoff is material tier, not code. Both still frame and fasten as composite, not as solid lumber.
Composite vs. PVC decking: what changes?
PVC uses a more complex extrusion with no wood fiber. It will not absorb water at a cut end the way composite can, so it is the pick for docks and pool decks. A backyard deck with normal drainage does fine on capped composite.
Turn a deck photo into an itemized estimate, free →
What do hidden fasteners and railing actually cost?
Board pricing is the gap, but hardware posts a live figure. Deck and Rail Supply prices TimberTech and Grip-Rite fastener systems by the box; Fiberon prices railing kits direct.
| Item | Price | Retailer, captured |
|---|---|---|
| TimberTech CONCEALoc fasteners | $208.43 / 100 sq ft | Deck and Rail Supply, 9/26/26 |
| TOPLoc composite deck screws | $64.17 to $66.50 / 100 sq ft | Deck and Rail Supply, 10/21/26 |
| Grip-Rite Ninja deck clips | $45.71 / 50 sq ft | Deck and Rail Supply, 9/26/26 |
| Fiberon CitySide line kit, 36 in x 6 ft | $249.99 | Fiberon direct, 9/26/26 |
| Fiberon CitySide stair kit, 42 in x 6 ft | $290.88 | Fiberon direct, 9/26/26 |
Each row is one retailer’s posted price, a data point, not an average.
What joist spacing does composite decking need?
Both numbers come straight from manufacturer install pages. Trex’s guide states that composite decking joists should be spaced no more than 16 inches on center for a standard straight lay, and 12 inches on center when the decking runs diagonal. TimberTech’s guide confirms the same standard: composite decking laid straight uses the same 16 inch on center spacing as wood. That agreement between two competing manufacturers is why 16 inches on center is the number to frame to.
How to take off a composite deck job
-
Confirm the build before you price boards
Ask whether the spec calls for uncapped, capped, or PVC. That sets the material tier and, on some lines, the fastener spacing.
-
Frame joists to the manufacturer spacing
Run 16 inches on center for a straight lay, per Trex and TimberTech’s own guides, and 12 inches on center for a diagonal lay, per Trex’s guide.
-
Price the hidden fastener system by square footage
Clip systems are boxed by coverage, not by the board. Order against the framed deck area, then round to the next box.
-
Add fascia and railing as their own line items
Railing kits and posts price separately, by length and post height. Keep them as their own lines, not folded into a per-square-foot rate.
Price the deck job from a photo
SimplyWise Cost Estimator turns a job-site photo into an itemized estimate in about 6 seconds. Add decking, fasteners, and railing as separate lines, set your labor line, and send a branded quote the client signs to approve. It is $29.99/mo or $239.99/yr, about $20/mo on annual, with a 7-day free trial.
Keep reading
- Deck Material Calculator: convert a footprint into board, joist, and clip counts.
Sources
Manufacturer install specs
- Trex, How to Space and Install Deck Joists. 16 in OC standard, 12 in OC diagonal. Live 2026-09-26.
- TimberTech, Installing Composite Decking. 16 in OC standard, straight lay. Live 2026-09-26.
Hardware pricing (single-source, named)
- Deck and Rail Supply, CONCEALoc Hidden Fasteners. $208.43 / 100 sq ft. 9/26/26.
- Deck and Rail Supply, TOPLoc Deck Screws. $64.17 to $66.50 / 100 sq ft. 10/21/26.
- Deck and Rail Supply, Grip-Rite Ninja Clips. $45.71 / 50 sq ft. 9/26/26.
- Fiberon, CitySide Line Kit. $249.99, 36 in x 6 ft. 9/26/26.
- Fiberon, CitySide Stair Kit. $290.88, 42 in x 6 ft. 9/26/26.
Product
- SimplyWise Cost Estimator, App Store, 4.8 rating, verified 2026-09-26.
Frequently asked questions about composite deck material
The material
What is the difference between capped and uncapped composite decking?
An uncapped board is exposed on every face, so it takes on moisture and fades faster. A capped board wraps a plastic shell around the core on three or four sides, depending on the line.
Install specs
What joist spacing should I use for composite decking?
Trex’s installation guide caps a standard straight lay at 16 inches on center and requires 12 inches on center for a diagonal lay. TimberTech’s guide confirms the same 16 inch on center standard. Frame to 16 inches on center unless the lay is diagonal.
Pricing the job
How much do hidden fasteners cost for composite decking?
Deck and Rail Supply prices Grip-Rite Ninja hidden clips at $45.71 per 50 sq ft and TimberTech’s CONCEALoc system at $208.43 per 100 sq ft, both captured live. Each figure is one retailer’s posted price, not an average.
Why doesn’t this page list a per-linear-foot price for composite boards?
Trex, TimberTech, Fiberon, Deckorators, and MoistureShield sell boards through local dealers, and their storefronts price sample kits, not boards. Prices change by dealer and region, so get the per-board number from your dealer’s quote.
Can I start a composite deck estimate from a photo?
Yes. Photograph the deck area, and SimplyWise Cost Estimator turns that photo into an itemized estimate in about 6 seconds. Every line carries its own quantity and price, so enter your measured footprint and adjust board, fastener, and railing lines before you send the quote.
Turn a composite deck spec into a bid that holds margin.
Snap a photo and get an itemized estimate with editable lines. Send a branded quote before you order boards. Free to try, then $29.99/mo or $239.99/yr after a 7-day trial.