IN DEPTH: Decks

Performance Matters
Just as important as aesthetics, but often taken for granted, is the performance and durability offered by deck boards. “Focusing on aesthetics can be misleading if performance isn’t there,” says MoistureShield’s Gwatney. “Customers really need to look at the company they’re dealing with and the product’s longevity and reputation. Those are more important than they often realize.”

Warranties can help emphasize the company’s reputation and reliability, but they don’t sway the purchaser. “Warranties act as a bonus in most purchase decisions,” says Fiberon’s Kello. “Most companies have similar warranties, so it’s not a competitive point between products.”

Deckorators-Vault-Composite-DeckingDeckorators has introduced Vault composite decking, which uses Eovations technology to provide a high strength-to-weight ratio with no wood content. Made with polyolefins and minerals, it is described as 35% lighter than WPC and similar in weight to PVC but has a stiffness-to-weight ratio that is twice that of PVC decking.

Tiger Deck’s Hafner agrees. “We always toot our horn on the durability and longevity of our product versus softwoods, but in terms of warranties, we don’t have many people ask about it. Of course, we publish all the information on our website, so it’s out there and they may not have to ask about it.” Adds Green Bay Decking’s Elenbaum, “Everyone has a warranty, and we feel they are not a product differentiator, because they’re all similar. Realistically, homeowners don’t want to have to rely on a warranty, they are better off ensuring they get a reputable product in the first place.”

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Not everyone agrees that they are taken for granted. “I think warranties are becoming necessary to compete in the decking business,” says CPG’s Davoll. The company’s products, TimberTech and AZEK, offer 25 year and lifetime-limited warranties, respectively, as well as fade and stain warranties. “Through research and development, we have started using material in the capping material and top layer of decking that allows them to keep color longer and resist wear and tear.” For that reason, AZEK recently extended its fade and stain warranty to 30 years.

“Consumers want warranties on products,” says Allura’s Taylor. “We have a 25-year warranty that ensures consumer needs are met, and it compares favorably with other non-wood products.”

“The warranty is all about peace of mind,” says Deckorators’ Camfferman. “Nobody enters a project expecting to exercise the warranty, but homeowners like knowing that the manufacturer is confident about the product and willing to stand behind it.” Deckorators’ warranty extends beyond material guarantees to include labor for removal and replacement if needed. “We believe in this product.”

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Some other warranties now cover labor as well. DuraLife, for instance, offers a five-year labor warranty. “Labor is getting to be more of a concern but is often limited to contractors who belong to a specific manufacturer’s program,” says Descoteaux. “Ours is open to anyone, even the DIYer. That becomes a key ingredient to ensure contractors that they are covered.”

Duralife Your Choice ProgramDuraLife has introduced the Your Choice Program, which helps simplify the selection of deck boards. The customer selects a color, then selects a product from the Siesta, MVP or Starter composite decking options and finally chooses a complementary railing product from the Railways Universal Railings, made with coextruded, capped composite material.

Labor is an important element, agrees NewTechWood’s Cone. “We see a trend to including labor in the warranty. A few offer that now, and I expect more will. We’re comfortable with the long-term performance of our product to be able to include it with ours.”

Fire-resistance also is growing in importance as a performance characteristic. “A major point for our products is their high fire rating,” says Allura’s Taylor. “It’s starting to become a key feature, especially in California, but it’s spreading to other markets. The addition of grills and fire pits make it more of a concern for customers as they expand the uses of their decks. It may impact insurance rates, especially for commercial properties.”

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