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We've put together our opinions and experiences on the different collections of alternative decking in the form of product reviews, to help you understand how every line of decking we carry is different from the others.
We mean to point out the pros, cons, similarities, and differences between the various decking brands and families. The information below is not intended as an endorsement of any one product, but to highlight the strengths of each for helping you plan, install, and enjoy your deck.
Collections are ordered by price, most expensive being towards the bottom of the page.
Budget-level Solid-Color Composite Decking
Bang for Buck
7
Durability (Strength, lifespan, toughness)
4
Realistic wood appearance
4
Value compared to competing decking lines
6
How well it hides scratches, dents, and traffic patterns
7
Slip Resistance
7
Color palette variety and color-coordination
4
Ease of installation
7
How well it stays cool
6
Pros
- 25-year fade-and-stain warranty
- Board is capped on the top and edges
- Texturing is more random and looks less repetitive than other budget boards
- Channels/scallops in underside make these boards more maneuverable
- 8" boards are also available for deck stair fascia and riser.
Cons
- Not capped on underside of board
- 5 scallops on underside make drink rails unsightly and impractical
- Shallow texturing looks less 3-D and is more slippery
- Only three solid colors available
- Composite fascia is more difficult to prep and install than PVC fascia, and screws require predrilling and have large heads
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3
(1)
6.3
TOTAL SCORE
Based on 0 Users
Bang for Buck
8
Durability (Strength, lifespan, toughness)
6
Realistic wood appearance
6
Value compared to competing decking lines
7
How well it hides scratches, dents, and traffic patterns
8
Slip Resistance
7
Color palette variety and color-coordination
3
Ease of installation
6
How well it stays cool
6
Pros
- 25-year fade-and-stain warranty
- Board is capped on the top and edges
- Realistic 3D texturing with good slip resistance
- Channels/scallops in underside make these boards more maneuverable
- Has one of the longest track records for a budget board
Cons
- Not capped on underside of board
- Scallops on underside make drink rails unsightly and impractical
- Only two solid colors available
- Routed (rather than extruded) groove for hidden fasteners can be inconsistent, sometimes making installation difficult
- Composite fascia is more difficult to prep and install than PVC fascia, and screws require predrilling and have large heads
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5.1
TOTAL SCORE
Based on 0 Users
Bang for Buck
6
Durability (Strength, lifespan, toughness)
3
Realistic wood appearance
5
Value compared to competing decking lines
8
How well it hides scratches, dents, and traffic patterns
5
Slip Resistance
6
Color palette variety and color-coordination
3
Ease of installation
5
How well it stays cool
5
Pros
- 25-year fade-and-stain warranty
- Board is capped on the top and edges
- Natural, less repetitive-looking texture
- Channels/scallops in underside make these boards more maneuverable
Cons
- Not capped on underside of board
- Scallops on underside make drink rails unsightly and impractical
- Shallow texturing looks less 3-D and is more slippery
- Only two solid colors available
- Composite fascia is more difficult to install than PVC fascia, and screws require predrilling and have large heads
- 8" Riser board not available
- No plug option available, borders and treads must be face screwed
- Longer boards can break if carried incorrectly
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Bang for Buck
6
Durability (Strength, lifespan, toughness)
6
Realistic wood appearance
5
Value compared to competing decking lines
6
How well it hides scratches, dents, and traffic patterns
6
Slip Resistance
6
Color palette variety and color-coordination
3
Ease of installation
7
How well it stays cool
5
Pros
- 25-year fade-and-stain warranty
- Top-capped, full profile board
- 8" boards are also available for deck stair fascia and riser.
- Full-profile board, works on cocktail rails (uncommon at this price point)
Cons
- Not capped on underside of board
- Texturing is repetitive and can look plasticky
- Looks more like plastic than other boards in this class
- Formula contains more wood than most other composites
- Composite fascia is more difficult to prep and install than PVC fascia, and screws require predrilling and have large heads
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Budget-level Variegated Composite Decking
Bang for Buck
8
Durability (Strength, lifespan, toughness)
6
Realistic wood appearance
8
Value compared to competing decking lines
9
How well it hides scratches, dents, and traffic patterns
8
Slip Resistance
9
Color palette variety and color-coordination
5
Ease of installation
6
How well it stays cool
7
Pros
- 25-year limited warranty
- Board is capped on the top and edges, and filler composition contains less wood likely to break down over time
- One of the most realistic-looking budget boards, with good slip resistance
- Channels/scallops in underside make these boards more maneuverable
Cons
- Not capped on underside of board
- Scallops on underside make drink rails unsightly and impractical
- Composite fascia is more difficult to prep and install than PVC fascia, and screws require predrilling and have large heads
- 8" Riser board not available
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6.8
TOTAL SCORE
Based on 0 Users
Bang for Buck
8
Durability (Strength, lifespan, toughness)
6
Realistic wood appearance
7
Value compared to competing decking lines
8
How well it hides scratches, dents, and traffic patterns
7
Slip Resistance
7
Color palette variety and color-coordination
6
Ease of installation
6
How well it stays cool
6
Pros
- Board is capped on the top and edges
- One of the most realistic-looking budget boards, with good slip resistance
- Channels/scallops in underside make these boards more maneuverable
- Fairly realistic 3d texturing for a board this price
Cons
- Not capped on underside of board
- Scallops on underside make drink rails unsightly and impractical
- Routed (rather than extruded) groove for hidden fasteners can be inconsistent, sometimes making installation difficult
- Composite fascia is more difficult to prep and install than PVC fascia, and screws require predrilling and have large heads
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0
(0)
6.7
TOTAL SCORE
Based on 0 Users
Bang for Buck
8
Durability (Strength, lifespan, toughness)
4
Realistic wood appearance
7
Value compared to competing decking lines
8
How well it hides scratches, dents, and traffic patterns
7
Slip Resistance
6
Color palette variety and color-coordination
8
Ease of installation
7
How well it stays cool
5
Pros
- 25-year fade-and-stain warranty
- Board is capped on the top and edges
- Texturing is more random and looks less repetitive than other budget boards
- Channels/scallops in underside make these boards more maneuverable
Cons
- Not capped on underside of board
- 5 scallops on underside make drink rails unsightly and impractical
- Shallow texturing looks less 3-D and is more slippery
- Composite fascia is more difficult to prep and install than PVC fascia, and screws require predrilling and have large heads
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0
(0)
5.9
TOTAL SCORE
Based on 1 Users
Bang for Buck
6
Durability (Strength, lifespan, toughness)
4
Realistic wood appearance
6
Value compared to competing decking lines
7
How well it hides scratches, dents, and traffic patterns
6
Slip Resistance
6
Color palette variety and color-coordination
5
Ease of installation
6
How well it stays cool
7
Pros
- 25-year fade-and-stain warranty
- Board is capped on the top and edges
- Natural, less repetetive-looking texture
- Channels/scallops in underside make these boards lighter and more maneuverable
Cons
- Not capped on underside of board
- Scallops on underside make drink rails unsightly and impractical
- Shallow texturing looks less 3-D and is more slippery
- Composite fascia is more difficult to prep and install than PVC fascia, and screws require predrilling and have large heads
- No plug option available, borders and treads must be face screwed
Thank you for taking part in our survey
3
(1)
Bang for Buck
9
Durability (Strength, lifespan, toughness)
6
Realistic wood appearance
6
Value compared to competing decking lines
8
How well it hides scratches, dents, and traffic patterns
8
Slip Resistance
9
Color palette variety and color-coordination
7
Ease of installation
6
How well it stays cool
7
Pros
- 30-year fade-and-stain warranty
- Fully-capped on top and bottom of board
- Channels/scallops in underside make these boards more maneuverable
- 8" boards are also available for deck stair fascia and riser.
Cons
- Scallops on underside make drink rails unsightly and impractical
- Composite fascia is more difficult to prep and install than PVC fascia, and screws require predrilling and have large heads
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0
(0)
7.2
TOTAL SCORE
Based on 0 Users
Bang for Buck
7
Durability (Strength, lifespan, toughness)
7
Realistic wood appearance
7
Value compared to competing decking lines
8
How well it hides scratches, dents, and traffic patterns
8
Slip Resistance
9
Color palette variety and color-coordination
6
Ease of installation
7
How well it stays cool
6
Pros
- 30-year fade-and-stain warranty
- Fully-capped on top and bottom of board
- Premium texturing similar to Azek Vintage
- Channels/scallops in underside make these boards more maneuverable
- 8" boards are also available for deck stair fascia and riser.
- Approved for Cortex screws and plugs, making hidden fastening of treads and borders possible
Cons
- Scallops on underside make drink rails unsightly and impractical
- Composite fascia is more difficult to prep and install than PVC fascia, and screws require predrilling and have large heads
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Mid-range Variegated-Color Composite Decking
Bang for Buck
7
Durability (Strength, lifespan, toughness)
9
Realistic wood appearance
8
Value compared to competing decking lines
9
How well it hides scratches, dents, and traffic patterns
9
Slip Resistance
7
Color palette variety and color-coordination
7
Ease of installation
7
How well it stays cool
7
Pros
- Top-capped, full profile board
- Muted tones are ideal for situations where a weathered wood color and texture is desired
Cons
- Not capped on underside of board
- Composite fascia is more difficult to prep and install than PVC fascia, and screws require predrilling and have large heads
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0
(0)
Bang for Buck
8
Durability (Strength, lifespan, toughness)
7
Realistic wood appearance
7
Value compared to competing decking lines
9
How well it hides scratches, dents, and traffic patterns
8
Slip Resistance
8
Color palette variety and color-coordination
8
Ease of installation
7
How well it stays cool
5
Pros
- 40-year fade-and-stain warranty
- Top-capped, full profile board
- Fine, multi-tone variegation coordinates well with other decking colors and home colors
- 8" boards are also available for deck stair fascia and riser.
Cons
- Not capped on underside of board
- Some colors have little variegation and almost look like solid colors
- Routed (rather than extruded) groove for hidden fasteners can be inconsistent, sometimes making installation difficult
- Composite fascia is more difficult to prep and install than PVC fascia, and screws require predrilling and have large heads
Thank you for taking part in our survey
0
(0)
Bang for Buck
4
Durability (Strength, lifespan, toughness)
7
Realistic wood appearance
5
Value compared to competing decking lines
6
How well it hides scratches, dents, and traffic patterns
6
Slip Resistance
5
Color palette variety and color-coordination
4
Ease of installation
7
How well it stays cool
5
Pros
- 50-year fade-and-stain warranty
- Fully-capped with coloring and texture on top and bottom of board
- Textured and colored on top and bottom of board
- Gentler gradient texturing (no streaking lines)
- 8" boards are also available for deck stair fascia and riser.
Cons
- Flat texturing is not as realistic as other boards of this class
- Routed (rather than extruded) groove for hidden fasteners can be inconsistent, sometimes making installation difficult
- Composite fascia is more difficult to prep and install than PVC fascia, and screws require predrilling and have large heads
Thank you for taking part in our survey
0
(0)
Bang for Buck
8
Durability (Strength, lifespan, toughness)
7
Realistic wood appearance
7
Value compared to competing decking lines
8
How well it hides scratches, dents, and traffic patterns
8
Slip Resistance
8
Color palette variety and color-coordination
7
Ease of installation
7
How well it stays cool
5
Pros
- 50-year fade-and-stain warranty
- Fully-capped on top and bottom of board
- Textured and colored on top and bottom of board
- 8" boards are also available for deck stair fascia and riser.
Cons
- Only available in 3 colors
- Routed (rather than extruded) groove for hidden fasteners can be inconsistent, sometimes making installation difficult
- Composite fascia is more difficult to prep and install than PVC fascia, and screws require predrilling and have large heads
Thank you for taking part in our survey
4
(1)
Bang for Buck
7
Durability (Strength, lifespan, toughness)
7
Realistic wood appearance
6
Value compared to competing decking lines
6
How well it hides scratches, dents, and traffic patterns
7
Slip Resistance
8
Color palette variety and color-coordination
5
Ease of installation
7
How well it stays cool
4
Pros
- 50-year fade-and-stain warranty
- Fully-capped on top and bottom of board
- Textured and colored on top and bottom of board
- 8" boards are also available for deck stair fascia and riser.
Cons
- Uniform texturing does not have any longer woodgrain texturing
- Only 3 colors, with very little variegation (mainly one color)
- Routed (rather than extruded) groove for hidden fasteners can be inconsistent, sometimes making installation difficult
- Composite fascia is more difficult to prep and install than PVC fascia, and screws require predrilling and have large heads
Thank you for taking part in our survey
0
(0)
Bang for Buck
9
Durability (Strength, lifespan, toughness)
8
Realistic wood appearance
9
Value compared to competing decking lines
8
How well it hides scratches, dents, and traffic patterns
9
Slip Resistance
9
Color palette variety and color-coordination
8
Ease of installation
7
How well it stays cool
6
Pros
- 30-year fade-and-stain warranty
- Fully-capped on top and bottom of board
- Multi-tone variegation coordinates well with other decking colors and home colors
- 8" boards are also available for deck stair fascia and riser.
Cons
- Composite fascia is more difficult to prep and install than PVC fascia, and screws require predrilling and have large heads
Thank you for taking part in our survey
0
(0)
5.6
TOTAL SCORE
Based on 0 Users
Bang for Buck
4
Durability (Strength, lifespan, toughness)
6
Realistic wood appearance
6
Value compared to competing decking lines
4
How well it hides scratches, dents, and traffic patterns
7
Slip Resistance
7
Color palette variety and color-coordination
4
Ease of installation
7
How well it stays cool
5
Pros
- 25-year fade-and-stain warranty
- Board is capped on the top and edges
- 8" boards are also available for deck stair fascia and riser.
Cons
- Not capped on underside of board
- Shallow texturing looks less 3-D and is more slippery
- Only two solid colors available
- Composite fascia is more difficult to prep and install than PVC fascia, and screws require predrilling and have large heads
Thank you for taking part in our survey
0
(0)
Premium Variegated-Color Composite Decking
6.8
TOTAL SCORE
Based on 0 Users
Bang for Buck
6
Durability (Strength, lifespan, toughness)
6
Realistic wood appearance
7
Value compared to competing decking lines
6
How well it hides scratches, dents, and traffic patterns
8
Slip Resistance
8
Color palette variety and color-coordination
8
Ease of installation
7
How well it stays cool
5
Pros
- 50-year fade-and-stain warranty
- Top-capped, full profile board
- 8" boards are also available for deck stair fascia and riser.
Cons
- Not capped on underside of board
- Composite fascia is more difficult to prep and install than PVC fascia, and screws require predrilling and have large heads
Thank you for taking part in our survey
0
(0)
Bang for Buck
7
Durability (Strength, lifespan, toughness)
7
Realistic wood appearance
8
Value compared to competing decking lines
7
How well it hides scratches, dents, and traffic patterns
4
Slip Resistance
5
Color palette variety and color-coordination
7
Ease of installation
6
How well it stays cool
4
Pros
- 30-year fade-and-stain warranty
- Fully-capped on top and bottom of board
- Unique hand-scraped finish is similar to many indoor flooring textures, which works well if trying to coordinate flooring inside and out
- Coloring can vary greatly between boards, which is a great natural look, if you're expecting it
- 8" boards are also available for deck stair fascia and riser.
Cons
- Smooth texture can get quite slippery, and smaller scratches are more visible
- Coloring can vary greatly between boards, which (intentionally) looks natural but less uniform.
- Composite fascia is more difficult to prep and install than PVC fascia, and screws require predrilling and have large heads
- Cortex screws must be pre-drilled so that screws don't mushroom the decking around it
- Fascia does not have the same hand-scraped texture as the decking
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0
(0)
6.2
TOTAL SCORE
Based on 0 Users
Bang for Buck
6
Durability (Strength, lifespan, toughness)
6
Realistic wood appearance
8
Value compared to competing decking lines
8
How well it hides scratches, dents, and traffic patterns
6
Slip Resistance
5
Color palette variety and color-coordination
7
Ease of installation
5
How well it stays cool
5
Pros
- 50-year fade-and-stain warranty
- Top-capped, full profile board
- 8" boards are also available for deck stair fascia and riser.
Cons
- Not capped on underside of board
- Composite fascia is more difficult to prep and install than PVC fascia, and screws require predrilling and have large heads
Thank you for taking part in our survey
0
(0)
Bang for Buck
5
Durability (Strength, lifespan, toughness)
6
Realistic wood appearance
10
Value compared to competing decking lines
7
How well it hides scratches, dents, and traffic patterns
9
Slip Resistance
5
Color palette variety and color-coordination
6
Ease of installation
4
How well it stays cool
2
Pros
- 50-year fade-and-stain warranty
- Full profile composite board with acrylic top cap for better scratch resistance
- Realistic woodgrain printing
- 8" boards are also available for deck stair fascia and riser.
Cons
- Not capped on underside of board
- Shallow texturing looks less 3-D and is more slippery
- Though it looks exactly like wood, the wood pattern is repetitive and must be decked strategically.
- Formula contains more wood than most other composites
- Composite fascia is more difficult to prep and install than PVC fascia, and screws require predrilling and have large heads
Thank you for taking part in our survey
0
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