When comparing Deckorators decking boards with Deckorators vs Wolf Serenity, there are 5 key characteristics to consider.
- Appearance
- Slip Resistance
- Price
- Warranty
- Durability
How do Deckorators and Wolf Serenity decking compare?
Wolf Serenity has more colour options, better slip resistance and price than Deckorators mineral-based composites. Where Deckorators (MBC) is better is for its initial warranty, including labour.
But we will need to go a little further into this before concluding which composite decking
is right for you.
Comparing how much they differ from each other.
If it’s not a clear-cut answer. What are my reasons for considering one better than the other? To see if you agree with my conclusion, could they be understood differently? Or does my reason not matter for your deck?
A good example is appearance.
I have my reasons why I think Wolf Serenity is going to look better on your deck, but you may not share my values of what make a deck board look good.
So let’s get into it, starting with where Wolf Serenity is better than Deckorators.
How is Wolf Serenity Better than Deckorators Decking?
Of these 5 key performance matrices for evaluating decking, Wolf Serenity is better than Deckorators for.
- Appearance
- Slip Resistance
- Price
Wolf Serenity ran away with this comparison. Making Wolf Serenity superior to Deckorators (MBC) in almost every aspect.
Deckorators VS Wolf Serenity for Appearance
Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder.
Making appearance comparison tricky, but we will start with colour options.
Deckorators (MBC) Colour Option
2 Lines, 8 colours
Voyage (MBC) Decking (6)
- Sedona
- Sierra
- Tundra
- Costa
- Mesa
- Khaya
Vault (MBC) Decking (2)
- Dusk
- Mesquite
They also have a Dark Slate Picture Frame board 21’ long. Handi for trimming out your deck and hiding the end cuts of your decking. Not to mention the dark colour pops with contrast with the other deck boards.
But because of its single design use, we did not include it with Deckorators (MBC) colour options.
Wolf Serenity’s Colour Option
Wolf Serenity PVC has 2 lines with 11 colours.
TROPICAL HARDWOODS
- Amberwood
- Black Walnut
- Rosewood
- Silver Teak
- Onyx
- Golden Cypress
- Driftwood Grey
- Teakwood
- Weathered Ipe
Rich, variegated hues with a natural woodgrain finish.
SEASIDE
• Habour Grey
• Sandcastle
Solid coastal tones with a cool decking colour palette.
Beyond the number of colours, there are appearance characteristics that are more subjective and depend on what you are looking for in a deck board.
- Wire-Brushed vs Cathedral Wood Grains
- Hair Texture vs Deep Grain Embossing
- Variation vs Consistent Colouring
- Streaking over Solid Colour
Which may draw your eye to Deckorators over Wolf Serenity.
Appearance is more than colour, but for colour, Serenity wins with 3 more colour options.
Deckorators VS Wolf Serenity for Slip Resistance
Looking to stay on your feet? Decking slip resistance is key.
| Dry | Wet | |
| Wolf Serenity | 0.74 – 0.85 | 0.75 – 0.87 |
| Deckorators (MBC) | 0.73-0.74 | 0.66-0.69 |
Neither Wolf Serenity nor Deckorators (MBC) are #1 for our comparison of best composite decking for slip resistance.
That being said, both rate very high for traction.
When it begins to rain, Wolf Serenity excels even more. With a significant point spread from Deckorators.
A small note about the variation of Wolf’s PVC decking. The difference is between longitudinal and transverse.
Wolf Serenity scores significantly better for slip resistance against the “embossed wood grains” than with the boards.
This is where Deckorators is better, consistency. You have roughly the same traction walking out of your house as across your deck.
Were Wolf will significantly grab your feet differently depending on which direction you are walking.
But it doesn’t matter which direction you walk. Wolf Serenity will be more slip resistant than Deckorators (MBC).
Deckorators VS Wolf Serenity for Price
PVC decking is generally more expensive than composite, but Wolf’ Serenity is the exception.
Wolf’s Serenity is cheaper than Deckorators mineral-based composite but is cheaper than many wood-based composites.
Wolf Serenity costs around $3-4.00 a lineal foot.
Compared to Deckorators (MBC), which sells for $5-6.00.
For a 12′ x 12′ deck with 26 deck boards.
Wolf Serenity will cost you $1 248.
The same deck with Deckorators is $1 872.
Making Deckorators 50% more expensive than Wolf Serenity.
How is Deckorators Better than Wolf Serenity Decking?
Deckorators pulled out a win with warranty.
But you do have to get deep into the paperwork to see how Deckorators warranty is better.
Deckorators VS Wolf Serenity for Warranty
None have the best decking warranty in the market, but Serenity clearly wins with a better warranty than Deckorators.
Starting with warranty length.
- Deckorators 25 years fade & stain, 50 years structural
- Wolf Serenity Warranty 50 years
Structurally they both are warranted for 50 years, but fade and stain Wolf’s Serenity is better. Twice as long.
How much they payout gets a little more complicated.
Prorating
Deckorators warranty is 100% for the first 6 years.
Wolf Serenity, 100% for the first 10 years.
Then reducing in payout after that. With Wolf’s Serenity payout more.
The one exception is fading and staining. Serenity replacement payout from fading is reduced by 20% every 3 years after 10. Leaving you with 10% after 23 years. So the next 27 years, you will only be compensated 10% of what the decking cost you.
Serenity is still better, but not as much as, at first glance.
Labour Warranty
Deckorators include a 25-year labour warranty. Yes, it’s pro-rated also, but at 10 years, they will cover 80% of the labour cost to replace the failed boards. The first 6 is 100%
Labour is a huge part of the cost of building a deck. Making this super valuable.
Compared to Wolf Serenity with no labour warranty.
If installation costs as much as the material, for the first few years Deckorators warranty becomes more valuable.
Till about year 19. When Deckorators and Wolf Serenity will roughly payout the same amount, 40%, if you combine both the labour and material of Deckorators. That is if the decking fades or stains.
If it breaks, with Deckorators and Wolf’s 50-year structural warranty, the payout is different. But at 21 years, Wolf pulls ahead with better compensation for broken decking.
So it really becomes a question of when do you think you will make a warranty claim.
If it’s the first 20 years of your deck. Deckorators warranty is better.
If this is your forever deck and you are concerned about the later years of your deck’s life, Wolf has better coverage.
But since few people live in their homes, enjoying the same deck for 30+ years. Deckorators has a better decking warranty by including labour. Helping you more initially if your decking should fail.
Deckorators VS Wolf Serenity for Durability
But regardless of what it says on paper.
Which decking will last longer?
For that, we will go to what each is made off.
What is Deckorators (MBC) Made of?
Decorators (MBC), like the name, says it’s composed of minerals and virgin polypropylene. The addition of minerals gives it some key advantages.
- 34% better traction than wood-based composites
- 35% lighter than traditional composites
- Virtually no thermal expansion or contraction
- Warrantied for installation in the ground or water
- Nothing for mould and fungi to grow on
The minerals do make it harder to cut. You can still use standard woodworking tools, but it does not cut as easily and will need additional time to file the edges smooth.
But virtual no expansion and contraction as the temperature rises and falls, opening up possibilities for unique decking patterns and inserts. Designs that cannot be done with Clubhouse when allowing for expansion and contraction.
Plus, Deckorators can be installed near and in water and not void its warranty.
Deckorators is also slightly thinner (7/8″) compared to Wolf Serenity. Which measures a full 1″ thick.
For flame spread ratings, they both are class B. With only a slight difference, with Wolf Serenity scoring 90 in flame spread, Deckorators 100. The lower the number, the slower the fire spreads.
What is Wolf Serenity Made of?
Wolf Serenity Decking is made from high-quality PVC (PolyVinyl Chloride). Making it strong and durable yet very lightweight. It also resists rotting, delaminating, splitting, and cracking.
With all the advantages of PVC over composite decking.
Which to be fair the mineral’s in Deckorators reduce or remove many of the cons of wood based composites.
Difference is Cap
Wolf’ Serenity is capped on all 4 sides, including the decking underside.
Whereas Deckorators is only capped on 3 sides. The top and sides.
Giving Serenity a slightly more finished look with additional protection.
But once installed, few will notice the uncapped bottom of Deckorators and water the greatest threat to decking. Does not sit on the underside of the decking.
