In this Article
Wood-Plastic Composites
Durability
Capped Composites
All Plastic Decking
Maintenance
Warranties
Choosing a Product
See also WOOD DECKING View all DECKS & PORCHES Articles
Almost half of new decks now use composite or plastic decking and the number continues to grow. The driving force is the promise of a wood-like appearance with minimal maintenance.
How well each product lives up to this promise varies. There have been a few notable failures – composite products that rotted, for example, and were taken off the market.
But, for the most part, these products perform well and require only a periodic cleaning to look, at-a-glance, like real wood decking. But don’t expect miracles. To some extent, all products will fade over time, and surfaces will scratch and stain from normal use.
Also, be wary of bargain products, which often skimp on manufacturing quality. Making a high-quality synthetic decking requires expensive ingredients and good quality control. There are many places to skimp in the process.
Most products fall into the few categories discussed below, but each has unique characteristics and installation requirements. In all cases, review the product specs and, if possible, look at a few installations before purchasing.
Composite Decking: What Is It?
Decking materials made from finely ground wood fiber mixed with polymer resin have been in use for almost two decades. While these wood-plastic composites (WPCs) have generally established a good track record, they have not always lived up to owners’ expectations of a truly maintenance-free product. Many WPCs use a high percentage of recycled materials making them appealing to green building advocates.
Most composite have a solid core and are sold in sizes that match and install like standard wood decking. Others are extruded with hollow cores, which reduce weight and add stiffness, but require special trim pieces to hide the open ends. Using less material also reduces manufacturing costs.
In general, composite decking materials are dimensionally stable, resistant to the elements, and can be worked and installed more or less like wood decking. Special screws designed for composite decking leave a clean hole without dimpling around the screw head. Most solid products cannot exceed 16-inch on-center framing, and they feel a little bouncy underfoot due to the material’s greater flexibility (low modulus of elasticity) compared to wood.
Some products have an embossed wood-grain finish that may wear away over time. The colors also tend to fade over time and the surface texture roughen, giving an appearance similar to weathered wood. For some customers, this is fine; others who expect the decking to look new forever may be disappointed.
Many of the problems faced by first-generation products have been reduced with newer formulations. Two trends in particular – adding a plastic skin to composites and offering all-plastic (cellular-PVC) options – have brought the industry closer to delivering on the promise of a “maintenance-free” wood-like decking.
Durability of Composite Decking
A combination of overzealous marketing by manufacturers and wishful thinking by homeowners created unrealistic expectations when composites were first introduced. Many customers thought they were getting a zero-maintenance product that would last forever. Within a few years, homeowners discovered that composites weathered under sunlight, got stained by cooking oil, sunscreen, or tree sap, and could grow mildew or mold if left under a pile of wet leaves.
In some cases, products failed altogether as the composite chemistry failed to hold together or the wood fibers in some products absorbed water and rotted. Class-action lawsuits have been filed against Fiberon, Trex, TimberTech, Azek (plastic decking) and just about all major manufacturers for fading, color change, mold growth, surface deterioration, and in some cases structural decay. Even when mixed together with plastic, wood fiber still acts like wood.
In response, manufacturers toned down their marketing and stepped up their maintenance instructions – recommending regular cleaning with a composite deck wash. They also modified their formulations to improve performance and durability.
One of the big challenges for manufacturers is that their raw materials are highly variable, so the products they output are variable. The raw materials are wood flour – essentially sweepings from the lumber mill floor – and (at least partially) recycled plastics from sources such as old bottles and bags. Some batches have not turn out so well, resulting in sporadic product failures. How widespread problems have been is hard to determine as most of the lawsuits are settled out of court and are not public record.
Many factors affect the long-term performance of wood-plastic composites including the wood/plastic ratio, wood species and fiber size, the type of plastic resin and whether it is new or recycled. The manufacturing process also affects the surface characteristics and water absorption, which is critical to long-term resistance to mold and decay.
Chemical additives also play a big role. The quality and quantity of the pigments used for color affect fading resistance. And proprietary additives and stabilizers are used make the products stiffer and more resistant to UV radiation, crumbling, and mildew growth. High-quality ingredients and additives add a lot of cost to the formulations, so manufacturers must make choices of cost vs. performance.
On the plus side, these products have been sold for nearly 20 years and have definitely improved over that time. Despite sporadic problems, most composite decks have performed quite well, especially if the owner has done the basic maintenance of removing piles of wet leaves and debris, wiped up spills, and done a periodic cleaning with a deck wash.
Capped Composites
To address customers’ concerns, many manufacturers have introduced a new generation products that wrap the composite core with a “capstock,” – a tough plastic veneer about 1/16 in. thick made of PVC or proprietary plastics. Capped composites are the fastest growing segment of the composite decking market, referred to by some as “ultra-low maintenance.”
In addition to keeping moisture away from the wood fibers, the covering allowed more appealing (to some) faux-wood finishes and, more importantly, a more durable, easy-to-clean surface that is less prone to fade, scratch, or stain, or to support mold and mildew. However, how well the faux-wood finish holds up to the elements over time is unclear.
The best embossed wood-grain finishes look pretty realistic, much like Pergo flooring. Some companies encapsulate the core on all sides, some just the top, and some everywhere except the installation slots. In all products, the ends are exposed allowing limited moisture penetration at those points. Not surprisingly, each manufacturer claims that its particular capstock configuration is best but there is little data to support these claims. Also some manufacturers have reduced the quality of the underlying core stock to reduce costs.
The capped products are more expensive than standard composites and tend to carry longer warranties, usually with a number of important limitations. Since these products are fairly new and the capstock material is in some cases a company secret, it’s best to find one that has at least a few years under its belt – and to read the warranty carefully. The exclusions give you some idea of how much confidence manufacturers have in the product.
Capped composites might turn out to be the killer app of composite decking, but it’s too soon to tell. Long-term testing is lacking and difficult to evaluate as manufacturing specs are often tweaked over time. One big concern with capstock decking is swelling of the exposed ends, which tend to absorb water as they are not protected by the capstock. Some contractors seal the ends or apply a trim piece. In general, the higher the wood content of the composite, the more swelling will occur.
All-Plastic Decking
Another popular approach to ultra-low maintenance decking is to eliminate those pesky wood fibers altogether with 100% plastic decking. The growth of PVC decking has been driven, in large part, by the widespread popularity of Azek and other cellular PVC products now widely used for exterior trim.
In fact, Azek decking is essentially the same as Azek trimboards, but with a tougher skin. Together with capped composites, solid PVC decking now accounts for nearly half the new residential decking market. Other large manufacturers of cellular PVC decking include Wolf Home Products and Gossen.
Less common, one-of-a-kind types of plastic decking include BearBoard (HDPE), NyloBoard (recycled carpet fiber, and Eon (polystyrene, Canada only).
Older versions of PVC decking were made from hollow extrusions similar in profile to a vinyl window frame. Most products now have a solid core of cellular PVC encapsulated in a harder “capstock” skin similar to capped composites.
Because there is no wood fiber, PVC decking is immune to wood-related problems such as mold and wood decay. As with capped composites, the hardened outer skin provides color and realistic wood-grain textures, along with resistance to staining, fading, and scratching. Also cellular PVC tends to be stiffer than wood-plastic composites and do not need pre-drilling.
Resistance, however, does not mean the material is indestructible. Plastic can be scratched by heavy furniture or stained by bug spray, oil or red wine that is not removed quickly. Also, fading can be expected occur over time, especially with darker finishes. Azek refers to this as “weathering” not “fading,” but the result is the same. There are renewal products on the market that can help restore a new look to some extent but these are not easy to apply and may not last much more than a year.
Like PVC trim, PVC decking cuts, drills, and installs more-or-less like wood. Despite the significant thermal expansion that can occur in unrestrained boards, Azek recommends butting end joint tight. If you follow their installation instructions for either face-screwing or hidden fasteners, the thermal expansion will be restrained and the deck surface will remain dimensionally stable, according to the manufacturer.
Hot Feet. All decking products can get hot underfoot with a direct overhead sun exposure, but plastic and composite decking have a reputation for getting uncomfortably hot in warm, sunny climates. In general the darker the color and the denser the material, the hotter the material will get in full sunshine. If that’s a concern, a simple comparison of competing products laid out in the sun is the best way to go. The same goes for dark wood decking when the original dark color is maintained.
Maintenance of Composite & Plastic Decking
With so many products, you can now find synthetic and composite deck boards in almost any natural or stained wood color and with a smooth surface or realistic embossed grain pattern. The big question is not so much what the product looks like in the showroom, but what will it look like 3, 5, and 10 years later after exposure to the sunlight, foot traffic, tree sap, and food and wine spills. The answer depends on the specific product, exposure to sunlight, wear and tear, and user maintenance.
To their credit, synthetic decks require much less maintenance than wood decking. No sealers, stains, or sanding will ever be required. With standard composites, once the surface weathers, it bears a strong resemblance to weathered wood, but without the customary warping and checking. Capped products should retain their color and surface texture with normal wear and exposure.
To prevent mildew growth, standard composites need to be keep free of leaves and debris and washed periodically with a composite deck wash. For capped products (composite or PVC) a gentle soap and water wash is adequate. For all synthetic decks, oil and grease, red wine, and other substances prone to staining should be removed with warm soapy water along with a soft brush for embossed patterns. For other stains and general maintenance requirements, make sure to read the manufacturer’s recommendations or you risk voiding your warranty.
Warranties for Synthetic Decking
I take all building material warranties with a large grain, or shovel-full, or salt. They generally cover only materials, not labor, and are often prorated for years in service. And there are enough technicalities and limitations that the manufacturer can always claim that you didn’t follow some aspect of the installation instructions.
That said, a stronger warranty from a reputable company is worth more than a weak warranty from a fly-by-night or out-of-business firm. Because of the relatively high failure rate of decking products it’s foolish not to read the warranty and supporting documents. In addition to installation details such as maximum spans and fasteners, limitations may apply to types of cleaners and chemicals used, how fast you remove stains, ventilation space below the decking, clearance to the ground, treatment of ends, and maintenance requirements, such as “no abrasive cleaners or metal-edged snow shovels…”
Since most warranties are voided for things like “improper installation, or failure to abide by Manufacturers’ guidelines” for such things as handling, storage, and maintenance, you will need to do a little detective work to find out what those guidelines are. If it’s unclear call or email the manufacturer. You can usually find this additional information on the manufacturer’s website, although sometimes in different places: Installation Instructions, FAQs, Cleaning & Maintenance, etc. If you don’t find what you’re looking for, by all means call or email the manufacturer.
Here’s a limitation from Azek, somewhat illogically covered under “Care and Cleaning,” that you probably never thought of: “Sunlight, which may be reflected by low-emissivity (Low-E) glass, can potentially lead to damage of exterior building products, including AZEK Deck…products, due to elevation of surface temperatures which far exceed that of normal exposure of the same materials to direct sunlight. Possible damage by such reflected concentrated light may include melting, sagging, warping, distortion, surface discoloration, increased expansion or contraction, and unusual weathering.”
Look for products with the longest warranties with the fewest limitations. Limited warranties on the best products are often 20 to 25 years. In wet climates or applications, look for products rated for use in ground contact or close to the ground as these will likely be the most impervious to moisture damage. Above all else, look for a reputable manufacturer who has a reputation for standing behind its products. Contractors’ lumberyards are a good resource here.
Choosing the Right One
Synthetic and composite decking offers a bewildering array of products – some with a decent track record, some brand new, and most made using a proprietary recipe and manufacturing process. Visit a contractor lumberyard that carries several lines. Look at lots of samples to see what appeals to you. Some look like plastic; some you couldn’t tell from real wood when viewed from a foot away.
Ask the lumberyard which products hold up the best for the application you are planning. Take home some samples. Try to scratch them with keys, stain them with cooking oil, red wine, and permanent markers, and then try to clean them. These quick-and-dirty tests can tell you a lot about real world performance, at least in the short run. If you’re in no rush, leave a few samples out for several months to see how they fare when exposed to the elements.
Products are constantly changing and small manufacturers come and go. With composites, many technical factors involving materials and manufacturing are difficult or impossible to know or evaluate – the percentage of wood vs. polyurethane, particle sizes, additives, and cap materials, among others. Since it’s hard to know exactly what you are buying, you are really banking on a manufacturer that you can trust is putting out a quality product and will be around to honor the warranty if there is a problem.
While some of the largest manufacturers, such as Trex, Fiberon, and TimberTech have had high-profile failures, they have also been around the longest, have made huge investments into R&D, and are most likely to be around in the future. Along with other industry leaders such as TimberTech, Azek, and Gossen these companies have the most skin in the game and the strongest commitment to producing high quality products and supporting them. Especially avoid home-center brands as they are sourced from different manufacturers and you have no idea what you are getting.
Finally, don’t expect miracles – and buy enough extra stock to repair the occasional damaged board in the future. You can’t just sand and refinish a bad ding, or buy a board at the local lumberyard in three years and expect it to match.
Richard says
Experience with Sylvanix Decking?
Has anyone had any experience with Sylvanix (https://sylvanix.com/) Decking?
Robson says
Best Decking For Cold Climates?
What decking material is best for cold Canadian winters — composite, PVC or wood?
buildingadvisor says
There’s no perfect decking material. All have pros and cons.
In your climate, I would look for a product with minimal water absorption due to snowmelt and freeze-thaw cycles. That would point you toward an expanded PVC material such as Azek, Dekorator’s mineral based composites (MBC), or a treated composite like MoistureShield. PVC and Dekorators have no wood in the core and Moistureshield encapsulates the wood fibers in a way that effectively seals out moisture. These are products that can be used in wet areas like pool decks.
Of these options, PVC has the most expansion and contraction from temperature changes, which can leave visual gaps in end joints and trim boards and and put stress on fasteners. However, all should provide good long-term performance.
A capped composite that is capped on all four sides would be another good choice and a little less expensive. I would look at the premium lines from longstanding companies like Trex or Timbertech.
With any plastic or composite decking, a deeply embossed face will give you better traction in winter. Dark colors will tend to absorb more heat from the sun, also a plus, but these tend to fade more. Even the best composites will fade a little and can be scratched or stained. It’s always a good idea to get samples from your local supplier and see how they hold up to abuse. Try scratching with a fork or screwdriver and try to remove stains from cooking oil, red wine, and permanent markers.
If you prefer wood materials, a high-density hardwood decking like ipe should perform well, but will need more maintenance. An annual cleaning and application of hardwood oil will give the best results. In your climate, a 1×6 profile would be prone to cupping. You’d be better off with 1x4s or 5/4×6 material.
Steve P. says
Thermal Expansion Problems With Aluminum Decking?
Aluminum will expand/contract due to temperature a lot more than wood decking. By my calculations, a 12′ long aluminum board at 0 deg F is about 0.19″ shorter than the same board at 100 deg F. If I install during cold weather, what happens next summer? Should I be concerned? Install at 50 deg F??
buildingadvisor says
While aluminum has a high rate of thermal expansion, you should be fine as long as you follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Most aluminum decking products are sold as complete systems with edge trim pieces, railing systems, and other accessories, along with detailed instructions.
Since you will see greater thermal movement in an area like yours than in a more moderate climate, it would certainly be a good idea to contact the manufacturer to make sure the product will perform properly – and to see if there are any additional steps you need to take. Most aluminum decking comes in very long lengths (up to 40 ft) so you should won’t need to worry about butt joints along the boards. But fasteners and edge trim will need to accommodate some movement.
Plastic and composite decking often face greater problems due to thermal expansion, and rely an fastening and trim details to accommodate the movement.
As for installing at 50 deg F, that makes a lot of sense, as you will be installing the material in the middle of its range. If that is not feasible, and you are installing on a very hot or very cold day, then you will need to make adjustments for the expected movement.
Mike huffman says
What’s Your Opinion of Armadillo Composite Decking?
Would you share your opinions and expertise regarding Armadillo Decking. I am about to have deck redone. Contractor wants me to use Armadillo.
buildingadvisor says
I am always reluctant to recommend one brand of composite or plastic decking over another. For one thing, decking is a moving target. Every manufacturer has had problems at one time or another and every one makes periodic changes (hopefully improvements) to their product lines. Beyond that, these products are notoriously difficult to manufacture with consistency from one batch to the next. This is especially true with products using a high proportion of recycled materials, which are difficult to source consistently.
I have not personally used Armadillo decking. It is made by Avon Plastics, a large plastics company. On the one hand, they have a lot of expertise with plastics, but on the other hand their level of commitment to building products may be less than a company specializing in decking. A quick look at the product specs would place is more or less in line with a product like Trex Enhance, one of their entry-level products. Like Trex Enhance, the underside of the decking is grooved to save material, but this weakens the decking.
On lower priced composite decking, you are at greater risk of problems with scratching, fading, and staining – problems that occur to some extent with all composite and plastic (PVC) decking. In the worst cases, the material can deteriorate from moisture intrusion, but this problem has been largely solved with “capped” composites which effectively seal out water.
One of the biggest problems with synthetic decking products is the expectation that they are indestructible and require no maintenance. It’s true that they do not need refinishing like wood, but they do need regular cleaning and are not immune to stains, fading, and scratching. They also tend to be slippery when wet and are often hotter than natural wood.
I always recommend that customers get samples of the decking they are considering and torture-test them, since a deck surface suffers a lot of abuse in real life. Try cleaning off stains made with salad oil, red wine, and permanent marker. Try scratching the surface with a nail. Soak it in a bucket of water for a week and see if it expands or delaminates.
Check the warranty – the length, the exclusions, and whether labor is included. Finally, check for consumer complaints and lawsuits in recent years. Consider cellular PVC decking like Azek or TimberTech (now one company). These products have had growth pains and failures like all non-wood decking, but have come a long way and without any wood content, are less prone to moisture problems.
For what it’s worth, I’m still mainly a wood deck guy. I recently built a small hardwood deck and am happy with the looks and performance. But when it’s time to replace my 25 year old PT deck, I’ll be very tempted to take the leap into plastics and composites.
Bitter owner says
Do not use them. I am an owner and am having issues. They are difficult to deal with for the claim which is still unresolved.
Avon plastics was was filed against for their Rhino Deck which is what Armadillo was called first.
I would use Trex, forget anything else. I regret not going to Trex however we really like Armadillos colors much more. In retrospect I am about to have my deck stripped down due to failing clips & capping replaced. Clips failed from poor manufacturing so is the decking.
My deck builder has dropped them so has many of its distributors.
I would stay soooooo far away from Armadillo. The bitter taster of an owners regret.
Betty says
Which is Better — Trex or Azek?
I am at a total loss at this point. I was going with Armadillo because it was highly recommended. The next contractor said it was trash and recommended Trex which I knew had class actions suits in days past but he swore that was eons ago. After reading this, it looks like it continues. Is Azek ok or should I just go with wood?
.
buildingadvisor says
I get asked a lot which is the best composite/plastic decking — or whether Brand A decking is better than Brand B. I am reluctant to throw out an answer, because composite decking is a moving target. The products are constantly being modified (and hopefully improved), and there are variations from one manufacturing batch to another. At the manufacturing level, these products are notoriously difficult to control and to source consistent raw materials.
As far as I know, every major manufacturer has been sued at one time or another for problems (fading, scratching, cracking) and outright product failures.
Climate is also a factor. What works best in Vermont might not be so good in Phoenix.
That said, the newest versions of both Trex and Azek are certainly among the best choices for composite/plastic decking. Both have a very hard plastic cap material. Inside, Trex is a mix of wood pulp and plastic while Azek is 100% plastic. So they have different characteristics, but should perform at more or less the same level.
Two of the biggest issues with composite/plastic decking are scratching and staining. All can be scratched with a sharp object or heavy piece of furniture and all can be stained by cooking grease, suntan oil, and mold – if you leave a pile of leaves to decay on your deck. It’s a good idea to test this with some free samples from your lumberyard (or contact the manufacturer).
Scratch with a nail, rock, screwdriver, etc. Stain it with olive oil, cooking grease, and a permanent marker. Try to clean quickly and after waiting 24 hrs. You’ll get a pretty good sense of their durability and cleanability.
You’ll find capped composites similar to interior laminate flooring such as Pergo. The difference is that exterior decking takes a much greater beating from humans and the weather than the flooring in your den. You might want to stick with one of the lighter colors — less fading, cooler temps, less thermal expansion, and may hide scratches better.
Wood decking also has pros and cons. It does require more maintenance, including periodic refinishing, but is more easily repairable. But all decking needs to be cleaned periodically if you want to keep it looking fresh. Black mold can grow on plastic decking, just as it can on wood .
You can easily sand out scratches and minor stains from wood and replace a board that gets damaged. With composite decking, you might have trouble finding the matching color, so it’s best to buy some extra boards when you build the original deck.
Wood is also generally cooler, although dark wood decking might be hotter than light-colored composite decking. Some tests have shown that all-plastic decking is the hottest.
Wood also feels different underfoot and, not surprisingly, looks more like wood!
On a recent rooftop, I went with mahogany – a mid-grade hardwood. I carefully sealed all the cut ends and used a premium oil-based hardwood finish the first and second year. Since then, I’ve let it weather to a grayish brown as I don’t care about keeping the “new wood” look. As you can see in the photo above, this is a rooftop deck with a lot of leaf debris, so I made the floor panels removable and clean it out once a year. Have had some minor splitting near the cut ends, but otherwise it’s doing very well 5 years out.
For further reading, here’s a good comparison of Trex and Azek.
Betty says
Very good information. After reading the consumer affair reviews on Trex last night, I knew I didn’t want that. I really appreciate the link you sent me. It appears there is a clear winner.
I will probably go mid grade of Azek. Cost will be the deciding factor.
Thank you for everything,
Doreen says
Protecting Decks From Furniture Scratches
What type of, or brand of protectors would you recommend so the furniture doesn’t scratch? And and there is some glue residue left behind in a few of our post joints that our contractor couldn’t get out. Any recommendations for that? We have Wolf decking.
Thank you
buildingadvisor says
I would look for plastic or hard rubber protectors that attach mechanically as self-adhesive protectors won’t last long outdoors. The specific type of protector depends on the type of furniture and size and shape of foot – cast iron, wood, resin, etc. Choose a white or light-colored pad to avoid staining the decking.
For wood furniture, you may need to drill a hole in the protector and hold it in place with a small nail or recessed screw. Slip-on protectors include a sleeve that slips over the bottom of the leg and stay in play by friction. I’ve had good luck with slip-on protectors.
I’d suggest visiting your local home center or searching online for “deck furniture feet protectors” or “furniture foot protectors”.
For under the grill, you might want to place a deck mat to protect against scratches and stains from grease and spills.
As for removing glue residue, that’s a tough one. Anything that will dissolve hardened glue might also dissolve the decking surface . The glue manufacturer might be able to recommend a solvent that works. However, make sure you test any product on a scrap or hidden area.
Before using chemicals, I would try fingernails, a hard plastic scraper, or a Mister Clean“Magic Erasor” which uses micro-abrasion to remove difficult stains. You can also try a non-abrasive cleaning pad or an abrasive ScotchBrite scouring pad (I keep one in my toolbox). However, ScotchBrite pads can do a lot of damage, so test first in a safe area.
Best of luck!
David Lewis says
Is Composite Decking Slip-Resistant?
I currently have grooved timber decking which gets extremely slippery when wet.
I plan to replace it with composite decking in the belief it will be slip resistent and will probably use Trex Contour. In my circumstances would you do the same or is there a more slip resistant product ?
Thank-you
buildingadvisor says
All decks – wood and composite – are slippery when wet or icy. In my experience, textured composite decking is about the same as wood, while smooth plastic or composite decking is more slippery.
There are a few plastic and composite decking products that claim to be slip-resistant, but there are currently no national standards. So you best bet is to take a sample of the decking home and test it.
If you are concerned about a small high-traffic area – for example, steps and a path to the front door – you might want to add anti-slip treads or grip tape, which you can find at your local hardware store. With a wood deck, you can use screw-on strips that will outlast self-adhesive products. There are also textured acrylic coatings that can be used on wood decks as long as the surface in reasonably good shape.
All of Trex’s composite decking have about the same level of slip resistance, according to the manufacturer. I would expect Trex to be about average for composite decking. A couple of decking products that claim to have enhanced slip resistance are Fiberon Paramount Decking (PVC) and Fortress Infinity Decking (composite), but don’t have personal experience with these. Your best bet is always to test before you buy.
Mike Lucas says
The Fiberon Paramount decking has NO slippery-when-wet issues. I installed it about a year ago and VERY happy with it.. The materials are also much lighter weight that other types of wrapped composite decking. I’ve been extremely happy with it.
Lucy says
Recommendations for Capped Composite Decking
Looking for advice regarding capped composite decking. Firstly, would you recommend Trex Transcend or Fiberon?
At this time, I have read several on-line reviews/posts to find more positive reviews for Trex than Fiberon. However, I like the colour options that Fiberon offers and Fiberon is slightly more cost effective, That being said I want to ensure that I won’t be disappointed in 2-10 years from either molded, easily scratched or faded boards.
This is DYI project so the ease of installation is also a factor!
In the Fiberon line what are the pro’s and cons to the Paramount Vs. Horizon? In looking at their product matrix (which is very informative) I’m currently overwhelmed and confused as to which attributes are most important in making a decision.
Any advice is greatly appreciated.
Sincerely
Lucy
buildingadvisor says
You are looking at three premium products, any of which should provide good performance. As for Trex vs. Fiberon, I have generally had good luck with the Trex Transcend line, but am less familiar with Fiberon’s latest products. Both Trex and Fiberon have had product difficulties in the past, as have all major manufacturers of composite and plastic decking, but I believe that these companies have made the commitment to continually improve their products as well as their consumer information about maintenance and realistic expectations regarding long-term performance.
Do not expect any of these products to be 100% stain-proof or scratch-proof. Read the warranties and maintenance information carefully, and follow the manufacturer’s advice for the best long-term performance. Most types of wood and plastic decking can be stained by cooking oil and grease, sunscreen, red wine, rust, and similar materials if left on the surface. Most will scratch by abrasion and show wear patterns in high-traffic zones. Wood can be sanded and refinished; not so with plastic. And all plastic deckings will fade somewhat over time – especially dark colors.
Both Trex Transcend and Fiberon Horizon are wood-plastic composites with a proprietary plastic capstock. Transcend is capped on three sides and Horizon is capped on four sides and is reversible. Whether capping all four sides provides a performance advantage is debatable. Since the capstock materials are all proprietary it is difficult to evaluate or compare them.
Fiberon Paramount is a solid plastic cellular-PVC decking, with a capstock, similar to Azek. Because it has no wood content in the core material, it can never decay. However, some of the earlier PVC deckings had problems similar to early composite deckings. They suffered from mold and staining of the surface, as well as peeling and deterioration. Complaints were lodged against TimberTech, and Azek, among others. Manufacturers claim to have put these problems behind them.
I am a big fan of home-testing of these types of products. Start with simple wear and tear test and then move on to torture-testing. Try to scratch and stain them with a variety of household and cooking products. Also try a permanent marker. Try to clean stains immediately and after 24 hours. If you have the luxury of time, leave a sample out in direct sunlight for a few months and compare it to one left in the shade. Soak a piece in water for a few days to gauge water absorption. After that throw in the freezer (if you live in a freezing climate).
I have used this sort of testing on plastic decking, countertop laminates, laminate flooring, cultured marble, acrylic bath fixtures and similar materials. You can learn a lot in a short time and certain products, colors, and patterns clearly outperform others.
Best of luck with your new deck!
Lucy says
Hi Steve, Thanks for the advice. I’m looking forward to the “torture testing” beyond the key scratching and sunscreen staining that I have already tried. Never thought of performing some of the other tests that you recommended that are likely to happen over time.
Your expertise advice is greatly appreciated.
Sincerely, Lucy
Lou Blazquez says
Professional Deck Reviews Often Rosier Than Customer’s
I am concerned that professional reviewers have a rosier outlook on materials like from Trex than consumers who actually own decks from them. For example, Trex got horrible reviews at:
https://www.consumeraffairs.com/homeowners/trex_composite_decking.html
Can you comment?
buildingadvisor says
There have been many product failures over the years with composite decking. For example, my article on composite decking durability states:
“In some cases, products failed altogether…Class-action lawsuits have been filed against Fiberon, Trex, TimberTech, Azek (plastic decking) and just about all major manufacturers for fading, color change, mold growth, surface deterioration, and in some cases structural decay. Even when mixed together with plastic, wood fiber still acts like wood.”
There have also been many successful installations. I don’t know anyone who has collected statistics on failure rates, so it is difficult to tell what percentage of customers are happy with their installations.
There are a few problems with this industry that makes it hard to evaluate products:
• The product lines are constantly changing and evolving, often in response to problems in the field, but also in response to market trends.
• One batch of product may vary from the next since it is difficult to source consistent batches of wood waste (sawdust or wood flour) and recycled plastics
• The manufacturing process itself is difficult to control, especially with the newer capstock products, so product quality may vary
• In order to keep prices down on lower price lines, the quality may suffer.
• The many secret ingredients and manufacturing processes are proprietary, so you often don’t know exactly what you are buying
• Installation errors may be involved and site conditions can vary. What works in a moderate climate may not do so well in a hot sunny climate.
• Finally, most manufacturers over-hype their products setting up unrealistic expectations by consumers. These products are not maintenance-free, stain-proof, scratch-proof, or mildew-proof. All forms of decking take a beating and show signs of wear and tear and weather exposure.
That said, there are millions of installations and many happy customers. It is estimated that about 2.5 million decks are built each year and plastic and composite decking accounts for 17% to 28%, depending on who you believe. Trex is still the dominant player in wood-plastic composites with about 45% of total market share.
Any way you count it, that’s a lot of composite decks and there are certainly a lot of unhappy customers, who are more prone to post their complaints online than happy customers. There are also unhappy customers with wood decking.
I have no horse in the race and receive no money from any manufacturer of anything (I do receive ad revenue from Google, who chooses and places all ads). I am always reluctant to recommend one brand over another as each as pros and cons and may perform differently for you than it did for me. I generally recommend the premium products over the discount ones, the older companies with a track record over the newer ones, and urge you to stay away from home-center brands.
In addition to consumer forums, check out the contractor forums, especially decking installers. They don’t want callbacks any more than homeowners and have experience with multiple product lines.
Truth be told, I still prefer wood decking for the feel, aesthetics, and cooler temperature, and I don’t mind the maintenance required. I am always tempted to go with a plastic or composite, but the most recent deck I installed for myself was a dense tropical hardwood. So far, so good.
Best of luck whichever way you go!
Lou Blazquez says
Thanks for such a satisfactory, quality answer. I still think that customer feedback should be referenced, as it is an important factor in decisions for any product, book, or movie. Right now I am considering MoistureShield and Azek for my porch. I hope that before purchasing material, that customers get a chance to read your excellent reply.
Lou
Chris Bergstrom says
Stains on Azek Decking
I have a year old Azek deck in a hot, humid climate. I recently put a rubber mat on the deck and after 2 days I discovered that the colorant had suffered. The Azek rep advised me to never use rubber on the deck. Now I would like to purchase an outdoor area rug for the deck. The most widely available material for these is polypropylene, available with and without backing. When I submitted a question about this to Azek, they told me I must use a “natural fiber” outdoor rug. However, natural fiber (coir, jute, sisal, etc.) are never recommended for outdoor use. What is your advice about using polypropylene on Azek? If you don’t recommend it, what other materials would be safe. Thank you.
buildingadvisor says
Rubber-backed mats can definitely stain composite and PVC decking. Also watch out for metal grommets, which leave rust stains.
The preferred material for mats on synthetic decking is polypropylene or coco/coir a natural fiber made from coconut shells. Coco/coir mats come in a variety of styles and are suitable for outdoor use. Vinyl backing is usually safe, but natural or synthetic rubber backing is not. If using coco/coir, it’s best to stick with natural and light-color mats as some dyes on cheaper mats may not be color-fast.
“Grill pads” made of a blend of fiber-cement and polypropylene are a good choice to protect synthetic decking from stains under and around outdoor grills.
You can also get discoloration from the moisture trapped below a floor mat and get some color variation due to UV exposure. That is, areas around the mat might fade over time, while the area protected from sunlight will remain darker. Sunscreen, bug repellant, red wine, cooking oils, and other chemicals can also stain plastic decking if not cleaned up quickly.
While polypropylene should be a safe bet for a floor mat, and is recommended by some manufacturers of PVC decking, I would not recommend going against the recommendation of Azek. You might want to check with Azek one more time. Ask to speak with a technical rep as the technical departments of product manufacturers are sometimes better informed than customer service reps.
Best of luck with your new deck!
Joshua says
Seeking Advice on Trex
Anyone have any experience with Trex decking? Pros? Cons?
buildingadvisor says
I used the first generation of Trex quite a few years ago in southern New England. It held up well over the years, but was subject to staining and fading, and mildewed in spots where I left leaves to molder, but otherwise did the job. Trex did experience serious problems with surface deterioration (flaking) with some of their products made from 2002 to 2007. They replaced the defective boards as part of their settlement of a class-action lawsuit. At least six other manufacturers of composite and plastic decking have been sued as well for product failures, so you cannot use this alone as a reason to avoid their products. As in many industries, the marketing hype got too far ahead of the technology, and this gave the industry a black eye. But products are improving and the industry is maturing in providing better installation and maintenance instructions.
In fact, the best companies, in my view, are the ones who have been in the business the longest and have the most manufacturing experience and the most commitment to the product. They have learned by trial and error what works and what doesn’t. Unfortunately, the marketplace has been their guinea pig for testing. When thing got rough, many decking manufacturers folded or sold their name (and/or product line) to another manufacturer. A few like Trex, Fiberon, and Timbertech have have stuck it out and become industry leaders.
As a result of all this experimentation, it reasonable to believe that the newest generation of synthetic decking will perform better than earlier versions. Trex’s premium Transcend line is a capped composite has been getting good reviews, as have the other capped composites, but it is too soon to say how how well they will perform over the long run.
Anyone else have experience – good or bad – with composite decking?
Nancy says
How Durable is Cali Bamboo Decking?
Hello. What do you think about Cali Bamboo composite decking in terms of longevity and maintenance. I read reviews that say that their decking buckled.
buildingadvisor says
I don’t have personal experience with Cali Bamboo products, but have used several others so I can only provide general advice. If anyone has used Cali decking, please let us know how it has performed.
Cali Bamboo sells both solid and hollow-core decking, which may have different performance characteristics. Both their interior flooring and exterior decking have received complaints about surface scratching, so that is something to consider. In general, users seem to like the hidden fastener system provided by the company.
Personally, I prefer solid composites as they are easier to install and don’t require special end caps and other trim pieces. I tend to go with older companies with a long track record in the composite decking business, such as Trex, Fiberon, and Timbertech. Many companies have come and gone in this market, which has had more than its share of product failures and lawsuits. The survivors have learned to make products that last and perform well in the field.
To some extent, you are always shooting at a moving target with composite decking. Formulas are changed often and smaller companies often lack the quality control that’s needed to turn out a consistent product over time. Quality can change from one batch of product to another. Poor quality control explains at least some of the product failures that every composite decking manufacture has faced at one time or another.
Also, be aware that no decking – wood or composite – is 100% maintenance-free. Composite decking does not need periodic refinishing like wood decking, but it does need to be cleaned regularly to prevent mold growth and surface deterioration.
I’m also a big fan of do-it-yourself testing. Get samples of the products you are considering. Test them at home for scratching, staining, and cleaning. Soak them in water and freeze them if appropriate for your climate. If you have the luxury of time, leave them out in rain and sun for a year and see how they hold up. If possible, find a deck that’s had a few years of weathering and wear to see how it performs on the job. South-facing decks tend to deteriorate the fastest due to high UV exposure.
Finally, look for a company with a strong track record in customer service and warranty support. Your local contractors’ lumberyard (not a discount home center) can be a good source of this type of info.
Best of luck with your new deck!
SD Galindo says
Best Composite Decking for Wet Climates?
I’m doing a very large deck in the pacific northwest – lots of potential for mold, mildew, and water damage. I’ve looked mostly at capped composites with recycled content. I eliminated Trex because it is only capped on 3 sides. I eliminated Azek because it isn’t reversible. Fiberon is my top pick so far though I’d love to find a product sealed on 6 sides, and I’m considering California Bamboo if available up here. You mentioned looking for ground-rated products for best moisture resistance in wetter areas (like the pacific northwest). I haven’t seen anyone mention ground-rated decking. Can you name a few brands?
buildingadvisor says
The only wood-plastic composite decking I know that is specifically rated for ground-contact is MoistureShield (sold as Modern View decking) in some markets) claims that their decking can be installed “on or in the ground or underwater without voiding the warranty” – a pretty bold claim.
Most composites rated for contact with ground and water do not have any wood content. These materials are have high plastic content with some mineral or other inorganic filler. Bear Board “plastic lumber” is about 50% HDPE (high-density polyethylene) and is sold for use as pool decks and marine docks.
The other option, which you mentioned, is PVC decking such as Azek and Gossen, which are both 100% cellular PVC with a capstock.
Gossen states that its products can be used “ in high moisture areas and…is perfect near water. Whether you use it next to fresh water, salt water or chlorinated pool water, the surface of the boards will stay fresh looking — even in the highest traffic areas. Gossen decking will not rot, warp, split, fade or mold.” However, its installation instructions specify a minimum of 6 in. clearance to the ground for ventilation of heat and moisture. They seem to be hedging their bets.
Azek makes similar claims about use near water, but does provide details for use on sleepers, such as rooftop decks, and on deck joists at grade. They don’t specifically mention ground contact one way or the other.
You specific concerns are mold, mildew, and water damage. Mold and mildew can grow on virtually any surface that is allowed to stay wet in warm weather. So if you leave a pile of leaf debris on any deck, you can expect some mold growth and staining as well from the tannins. The best protection is regular maintenance and periodic cleaning. Every manufacturer of composite and plastic decking publishes cleaning instructions, which are worth reading and following.
Deterioration of the decking material from moisture is more a function of the material and climate. The premium capped composites should probably perform well for you, but if you want the best protection from moisture, a product with no wood fiber might be a better choice. If you are concerned about moisture exposure at end cuts, you can seal the ends with the same sealers used on hardwood decking, such as Ipe Seal or specialty sealers such as TimberTech End Coating .
The appearance over time should also be considered. Some fading, scratching, and weathering will occur, especially under full sun exposure. If possible, take a look at 5-10 year old deck with the material you are considering.
It is always difficult to estimating the longevity of composite and plastic decking. Few composite products have been out long enough to establish a long track record and formulas change frequently, often in response to problems in the field. There have been a number of notable product failures and more than a few class-action lawsuits. Also how you install and maintain the decking plays a role in how long it lasts.
A long warranty is one indicator of a manufacturer’s confidence in a product, but not the same thing as proven performance in the field. In practice, building product warranties usually aren’t worth much unless you are working with a well-established manufacturer who stands behind their product. Many are for materials only, are prorated, and can be easily voided by “installation errors.”
You might also consider tropical hardwood decking. If you don’t mind letting it weather to a silver gray, it can perform as well as the best composites and require a similar amount of maintenance. Plus if it gets really ratty, you can always sand and refinish!
SD Galindo says
Thank you for the detailed helpful reply! I do not wish to support tropical hardwood industry and my house is rented right now (though I plan to retire there, I’m working out of state) so I cannot assure proper maintenance of wood (sealing annually, let alone cleaning frequently).
It will be at least 30″ off the ground but I live in a very wet area with lots of plant debris. The mildew/mold occurs from moisture – even on my covered deck – whether or not there is debris. I have used a bleach solution to get rid of it – and I read this is ok for the capped composites.
Thus, as an absent landlord, the capped composites with sealed ends or PVC seem to be a better option. I was a bit shocked at the price.
I did review Moisture Shield – it is 95% recycled, and reversible with a ‘lifetime transferable warranty’, and Fiberon is capped on 4 sides, 25 year warranty.
I will read the warranties more carefully… so far Moisture Shield and Fiberon are my top choices. Also considering Calibamboo.
Do you have any thoughts on bamboo?
kind regards, LM
buildingadvisor says
Sounds like you’ve done your homework and have identified some of the top-performing products (unfortunately with the top prices as well). Since you will likely get debris, mold, mildew growth on any deck under those conditions, you will want something that is relatively easy to clean. Each product publishes cleaning instructions, some recommending specific cleaners and types of brushes and prohibiting others that are too abrasive for the material.
I’m a big fan of testing materials. Buy a sample piece of the two or three materials you are considering and test them for cleaning. If you don’t have time to grow mold, use permanent markers to simulate stains, and other sticky substances such as roofing tar to simulate tree sap and grime. You can get pretty creative here.
Then see how quickly each cleans and whether you can remove all the stains. I have used this type of testing on flooring, plastic laminate, and other materials and have found it a good predictor of performance in the field.
I am not familiar with Calibamboo and don’t think it is distributed here in the Northeast.
Another high-end product you might consider is aluminum decking such as Versadeck or LockDry. These should last as long or longer than any other decking material and require minimal upkeep. But, as you note, no decking is truly maintenance-free.
Best of luck!
John H. Haley says
MoistureShield Failure
You mention reviewing Moisture Shield. I have a deck in that material. I am confident that it was correctly installed, but we had issues with expansion and curling right away. Like it was never properly cured or something. It moved. That was in 2012. They promised to come look at it but never did. After a lot of efforts by my builder we were eventually exhausted and lived with it. Over the last few years it has become comical – humps, curling, twisting. So recently we tried again to get some attention, sent pictures, etc., and got only unserious, evasive, simply dishonest responses. Defective material, worthless warranty. I am here now because we are having to rebuild the deck. A very bad experience all around.
buildingadvisor says
Sorry to hear about your problems with MoistureShield decking. Do you know which MoistureShield product line you installed? Was this a capped or uncapped deck board? Dimensions of the board? In general, capped composites hold up better over time than uncapped, but the capped versions cost a lot more and some people prefer the more rustic look of the uncapped versions.
Nearly every brand of composite decking has had documented failures and some have been the subject of class-action lawsuits.
AERT, the manufacturer of MoistureShield when you installed it, settled a lawsuit in 2009 regarding mold and mildew stains on its ChoiceDek product line. I am not aware of any lawsuits regarding MoistureShield, which is now owned by OldCastle APG, a division of the multinational CRH.
In some cases, composite decking failures have been linked to quality control in the manufacturing process, which is very hard to maintain for composites. Some problems are due to installation errors and others to poor maintenance.
It is especially disturbing that the manufacturer has been so unresponsive to your problems – since they tout “ Zero structural field failures in 30+ years” and 40 to 50 year warranties. Sadly, however, product warranties are only as good as the company that issues them. And, in general, building product warranties are often not honored. Manufacturers may stonewall or weasel out on technicalities. Or the payout is pro-rated and does not cover labor, so only a small portion of the loss is recovered.
In many cases, the contractor or local distributor will have more clout with the manufacturer than a retail customer. It sounds like you did all the right things and still came up empty-handed.
For what it’s worth, I still prefer wood decking over composites. I know what I am getting and how to care for it. I like the look and feel of wood and don’t mind the maintenance and occasional refinishing. If you don’t clean a composite deck, you will end up with the same amount of mold and mildew.
Joseph Fitzpatrick says
Any Feedback on Lang Composite Decking
Has any one used lang composite deck boards and your thoughts good or bad?
buildingadvisor says
I’d be interested to hear from other readers on their experience with composite decking?
Lang is a discount brand and not a major player in composite decking. While they may offer a 25-year residential warranty, there is little reason to believe that the product or company will be around in 25 years as smaller composite decking manufacturers come and go frequently. Some no-name manufacturers do not turn out a consistent product, so one batch may differ a lot from the next.
Also, the industry has been plagued by a number of high-profile product failures over the years. It’s not easy to manufacture a premium composite that will deliver long-term performance. So it may be penny-wise and pound foolish to try to save a few hundred dollars on materials by going with little known discount product.
Material prices for composite decking range from $3 to $4/sq.ft. at the low end to $7 to $8/sq.ft. or more at the high end. Issues to consider, in addition to overall durability, are resistance to UV, scratches, stains, and mildew. Best to choose a manufacturer who has a strong track record and who stands behind their product.
Jon says
Composite vs. PVC Decking
Hello,
What’s your opinion of Wolf composite decking? We’re also considering Wolf PVC but might be cost prohibitive. Thank you
buildingadvisor says
Wolf is one of the country’s largest suppliers of kitchen cabinets. They got into the composite decking business in 2010 and have become a major supplier of cellular PVC decking, second only to Azek. Both companies have a good reputation and a good track record with PVC decking despite some problems Azek had with earlier formulations.
I have not used Wolf’s composite decking products, but know that they are part of the new generation of composite decking products with a hard plastic skin or “capstock” over a composite core. These tend to wear better and are less prone to scratch and stain than standard composite decking. It’s not clear from the company’s literature what the capstock material is. Other manufacturers use pvc, polyethylene, ASA and other “proprietary” plastics as the capstock.
Capstock products were developed, in part, to address issues with staining, fading, and surface deterioration with some of the traditional composite decking products such as Trex. They offer more variety of grain and color, but like other simulated wood finishes, some look more authentic than others.
The only problem I have heard about capstock decking is swelling of the ends, which are exposed to weather – similar to the swelling of OSB edges. To avoid this problem, some installers recommend sealing the ends of capstock decking with an end-grain sealer or water-repellent preservative (WRP).
Ask the supplier or contractor if they can show you a deck that’s at least five years old with this type of decking. That’s the best predictor of wear characteristics and durability over time.
Carrie says
Squirrels Damaging PVC Decking
Just had oue screen porch floor and steps done with Wolf PVC decking. The cost was $30,000. After just 4 months, squirrels have eaten the steps. Looks like crap now. Had wood porch and steps for 10 years and no problem with squirrels. Not sure what is in this material but squirrels like it better than nuts. Wolf said they would pay for materials to fix but no thanks. Having it removed and replaced with aluminium steps. Think twice if you live in wooded area.
buildingadvisor says
Squirrels and other rodents sometimes like to chew on wood, composite, and PVC decks. People have tried various commercial and home-made remedies, such as hot sauce sprinkled on the area being attacked. You may need to experiment a bit and may need to rotate strategies when one stops working. You can find some useful tips at this link. Best of luck!
Tony says
I have a wood-framed base and want to install composite decking on it, using a 12 ft. middle support. What spacing between the joists is required to support the composite decking?
buildingadvisor says
Each composite decking product is different, so you need to check with the manufacturer of the specific product (or the supplier) about span requirements. In most cases, you can find product specifications online, but not always with home-center brands — not a good bet with composite decking.
In general, composite decking is less stiff than solid wood making it a little more bouncy and prone to sagging. Allowable spans range from 12 in. to 20 in. A few claim that they can span 24 in. but I would be skeptical. It depends, in part, on how much bounciness you are willing to tolerate in a deck.
Remember that the published allowable span number is the maximum. So you may want the spacing a little less if a solid feel is important to you. So, for example, if it says 20 in., 16 in. would be better. If it says 24 in., 16 would be better.
You can conduct a simple test by attaching a few decking boards across to some 2x4s set on edge. Then step on the flooring sample to see if it feels solid enough for you.
Good luck with your deck project!