Both vinyl and composite decking are artificial materials, which means they don’t rot like wood decks. This means that they are generally lower maintenance for the homeowner. Composite decking looks a lot like real wood but doesn’t require painting or staining. It won’t rot or mold and has a long lifespan. The one setback is that it does scratch somewhat easily and shows sun fade. Vinyl tends to have all the same benefits as composite decking but without fading and scratching issues. The major setback to this decking material is that it is the most expensive option on the market.