Co-Extruding Makes A Good Decking Product Great.

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Azek

Azek pioneered co-extrusion and a trend setter in modern synthetic decking. Azek uses a cellular PVC core under it’s proprietary polymer outer layer. The Azek polymer is the second hardest and thickest capstock we have tested and one of the only brand that allows pressure washing for maintenance. Azek has enjoyed a excellent track record in the field and is the most reliable board you can install. Strengths of Azek decking include: ease of installation, low maintenance, cool to the touch on hot days, light weight. Azek can be dimensionally stable eliminating the need for gapping at the butt joints if it is face fastened. The Arbor collection colors rate high on our abrasion testing. When used with hidden fasteners systems gaps at the butt joints and borders can be difficult to manage due to changes in length with temperature changes.

Deckorators

Deckorators decking is the new entry to the market although the product has been around under a different name for some time. Deckorators has the longest and most comprehensive warranty on the market, 25 year comprehensive including labor. No other warranty comes close. We have been pleased with the consistency and quality of the product. The color range is broad and attractive. The hidden fastener system is fast and intuitive and allows the easy replacement of boards if needed.

Fiberon

Not well known on the west coast until recently Fiberon has been a leading brand back east for some time. Fiberon’s line up contains a few of the most authentic looking boards that are on the market. In our testing the polymer layer on fiberon decking was the hardest albeit thinest co-extrusion we observed. Fiberon also a quite dense structure and can appear more “board-like” than some of the more flexible options. The somewhat muted embossing of the grain patter allows easy cleaning unlike some deeply grooved products. Fiberon decking is the a personal favorite for appearance and durability. The hidden fastener system can be challenging to work with at times but, yields a very attractive finished product. Fiberon offers a 5 year labor warranty in addition to their 25 year product warranty. The product line is well supported by the manufacturer and it’s representatives.

TimberTech

TimberTech is the second largest manufacturer of synthetic based decking. While still technically a green product TimberTech uses only virgin plastic in it’s composite mix. This affords tighter control over the manufacturing process. Timbertech focuses on the traditional core co-extruded boards and transfered their PVC line to Azek when the companies merged. TimberTech has some very attractive colors in their line-up, in fact we believe their price point board has the highest aesthetic value in it’s class. The TimberTech polymer coating is the least durable of the major manufacturers and should be a consideration in high wear applications.

Trex

Trex is the perennial category leader with a 51% market share. Trex has adapted their traditional composite core to be co-extruded with a polymer wrap for durability. Trex also has a line of cellular PVC decking. Trex’s composite core is made up of recycled wood and plastic components. The density of the traditional composite core adds impact resistance and strength but increases heat load on hot days. The Trex color palette contains impressively authentic wood appearances and more modern looking budget choices. The new Trex Select board is price competitive with all but, the cheapest cedar but, is susceptible to abrasion damage.

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