Head-to-head: Wood vs. Composite decking 04 June 2015 Author: Faye Williams Decking Materials Whether you’re working with a contractor to build a new deck or taking a do-it-yourself approach, one of the first decisions you’ll face is figuring out which decking material to use. The choice of the right decking can be the difference between a deck with faded and splintered boards and a ChoiceDek deck that invites relaxation for years to come.