Your PVC deck,
costed.

Different core technologies. AZEK PVC has a 100% PVC core (no organic content) wrapped in a hard PVC cap. Trex composite has a wood-fiber + recycled-plastic core wrapped in a polymer cap. Practical differences: AZEK runs 7-10°F cooler underfoot, weighs 25-30% less, and lasts 35-45 years vs Trex composite 25-32 years. AZEK is fully waterproof (pool/coastal-ready); Trex composite cap can crack and expose the wood core to moisture over time. AZEK costs ~$1-3/lf more upfront. Trex's PVC-class answer is Trex Signature (mineral-polymer, $11.50/lf, competes directly with AZEK Vintage/Advanced PVC).

Yes for: (1) Pool/coastal/humid environments — PVC's mold immunity is non-negotiable; the ~$1,500-3,000 PVC premium pays back in lifespan + zero remediation. (2) 20+ year ownership — PVC's 35-45 yr lifespan crosses your horizon; composite needs replacement. (3) Midday-sun decks — PVC's 6-10°F cooler underfoot temp matters daily. (4) Longest warranty needed (Advanced PVC Vintage 50-yr fade/stain). No for: tight budget, shaded/north-facing decks, short ownership (<10 yrs), or if maximum color choice matters (premium composite still leads at 12-13 colors vs PVC's 4-7).

35-45 years for full-PVC lines. AZEK Vintage 40 years (field-confirmed by 30-yr installs still in service). AZEK Advanced PVC Vintage 45 years projected (50-yr fade warranty). Wolf Serenity 30-35 yrs (foamed PVC core slightly shorter than rigid PVC). Trex Signature 40 years (mineral-polymer, PVC-class). Real-world dependent on UV/coastal exposure + cleaning discipline. Unlike composite, PVC has no organic content to degrade — lifespan is limited only by UV stabilizer breakdown + physical wear. Cleaning every 2 years (soap-wash) extends lifespan and warranty validity.

AZEK for spec-driven buyers, Zuri for aesthetic-driven buyers. AZEK PVC has 30-50yr fade warranties, 4-7 colors per line, and the longest field track record (Wilmington OH manufacturing since 1983). Zuri uses a unique photo-cap technology — a high-res digital wood-grain image printed under a clear PVC cap, delivering the most realistic wood look of any synthetic deck. Zuri's 25-yr warranty is shorter than AZEK's 30-yr fade. Pricing: AZEK Vintage $9.50/lf vs Zuri Premium $10.50/lf — Zuri ~10% premium for visual realism. For barefoot pool decks: AZEK. For maximum 'looks like real wood' wow factor: Zuri.

PT, by a wide margin upfront. PVC boards run $7.50-13.50/lf vs PT at $1.85-2.15/lf. Total installed: PVC $40-75/sqft vs PT $25-45/sqft. For a 192 sqft deck: PVC ~$11,500-13,800 vs PT ~$5,500-8,500. The gap closes on 30-year TCO once you factor PT maintenance: biennial sealer + every-5-yr stain + year-20 board replacement = ~$2,500-4,000 added to PT total. PVC near-zero maintenance ($150-250 over 30 years). The 30-yr TCO crossover (where PVC becomes cheaper) hits around year 27-32 for premium PVC vs maintained PT. For shorter ownership (<15 yrs), PT wins decisively.

Less hot than composite, but still warm in direct sun. At 90°F ambient direct sun, PVC light colors hit 99-101°F (~+9°F over PT baseline). PVC dark colors hit 108-115°F (~+18°F). Composite light colors ~+18°F; composite dark ~+22°F. For comparison: PT untreated ~+0°F (it's the baseline). Stone/concrete pool decks can hit +30°F or more, so PVC is still cooler than many alternatives. For barefoot midday use, pick light/medium PVC tones (Coastline, Sand Dune, Sandstone, Hickory) — adds 10-12°F over PT, vs 18-22°F for dark Dark Hickory / Mahogany.

Essentially zero structural maintenance. Biennial cleaning recommended: scrub with mild soap (Dawn or Simple Green) + soft brush + low-pressure rinse (no high-pressure or it damages the cap). Costs ~$0.03-0.05/sqft DIY material (a 192 sqft deck = $6-10 cleaner per biennial wash). No staining, sealing, oiling, painting, sanding, or refinishing — ever. For wine/oil/sunscreen spills, clean within 24 hours with the same soap-wash. Manufacturer warranties usually require maintaining cleaning records — keep dated photos every 2 years. Over a 30-year ownership: $90-150 total maintenance for a 192 sqft PVC deck vs ~$4,000 PT and ~$350 composite.

Yes — full DIY install is feasible if you have intermediate woodworking + framing experience. Process: (1) Build PT substructure (joists at 12-16″ o.c., ledger to band rim, posts on footings — IRC R507 framing rules apply identically to PVC and PT decks). (2) Install starter strip + first board with hidden fastener clips (TimberTech CONCEALoc, AZEK Cortex, brand-specific). (3) Place boards using proprietary clips between grooves. (4) Use jigsaw + composite-rated blade for cuts (PVC dust is fine — wear N95 mask). (5) Finish with picture-frame border + matching trim screws. DIY install saves ~$3,000-5,000 in labor on a 200 sqft deck. Tools needed: jigsaw, miter saw, drill/driver, level, square, tape measure, ~$200 in clip system + screws.

Yes, ~0.05% per 100°F temp swing — about 1/16″ on a 16-ft board between freezing winter and summer heat. Manufacturer installation guides specify expansion gaps: 1/8″ end-to-end gaps between board butts, 1/16″ side-to-side for clip systems (clips have built-in spacing). Solid-color PVC expands more than wood-look photo-cap PVC. For decks under 24 ft long, gaps handle expansion invisibly. For longer runs (24+ ft single-direction), install a deliberate expansion break (intentional cut + matching trim cover) every 16-20 ft to manage cumulative expansion. Failure to gap: cupping, end-grain pop-up, occasional board buckling in 100°F+ direct sun — all warranty-voiding installer error.