Deckorators Mineral Based Composite vs Zuri PVC

When comparing Deckorators decking boards with Zuri, there are 5 key characteristics to consider.

• Appearance
• Slip Resistance
• Price
• Warranty
• Durability

How do Deckorators and Zuri decking compare?

Overall, Deckorators is a better decking board with more slip resistance, a better price and warranty. Zuri’s unique hardwood-looking finish gives it an advantage in appearance when compared to Deckorators.

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.

Hint slip resistance differed little, and the warranty is not as clear as it may sound.

We will need to get into it much more to know which one is best for your deck

So let’s get into it, starting with where Zuri is better than Deckorators.

How is Zuri Better than Deckorators Decking?

Of these 5 key performance matrices for evaluating decking, Zuri is better than Deckorators for.

• Appearance

Deckorators VS Zuri for Appearance

If you have read a few of our composite decking comparisons, this one is going to surprise you.

Normally since beauty is so subjective we normally go with which every brand has the most colour options as the winner for appearance.

Zuri has fewer colours than Deckorators, but we still think its the better-looking deck board.

Deckorators Mineral Base Composite (MBC) includes 2 lines, with 8 colours.

The majority of Deckorators colours are in their Voyage line.

Voyage (MBC) Decking (6)

• Sedona
• Sierra
• Tundra
• Costa
• Mesa
• Khaya

Vault (MBC) Decking (2)

• Dusk
• Mesquite

They also have 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.

Zuri has 1 Decking Collection with only 6 Colours

Which all represent traditional hardwood flooring.

• Chestnut
• Walnut
• Pecan
• Barzillai
• Weathered Gray
• Hickory

Zuri decking has a subtle wood grain pattern for the capped boards that imitate hardwood flooring. The colours are not “dyes” or colouring but are photo images of hardwood decking. Set it apart in appearance to most other decking options.

Including Deckorators, which do have nice colour contrast and black streaking but nothing that looks like hardwood. For this reason, we choose Zuri as a better-looking board.

Despite Zuri having less colour options.

But there are a few more subjective appearance characteristics to consider.

• Wire-Brushed vs Cathedral Wood Grains
• Hair Texture vs Deep Grain Embossing
• Variation vs Consistent Colouring
• Streaking over Solid Colour

For these, we cannot say which is better for your deck. But to recommend that you get a sample in your hand or go view some Zuri and Deckorators decks to see which one looks like your dream deck.

On the flip side.

Deckorators, mineral-based composite, have virtually no expansion and contraction. Which opens the door of the possibility of decking design. Inlays, angles, borders and transition. The possibilities are almost endless.

If you need ideas, check out Premium Outdoor Living on YouTube. Shawn and his team build decks (with Deckorators) that, even if the boards are a little less amazing to look at together, are eye-catching. The design itself more than compensates for the board finish.

As we said, there is so much that goes into the appearance of a deck.

How is Deckorators Better than Zuri Decking?

There are a few key items that Deckorators is better.

• Price
• Slip Resistance
• Warranty

The easiest one with hard numbers is cost.

Let’s dive into money next.

Deckorators VS Zuri Price

Hands down, without any debate, building a deckorators deck will cost you less than a Zuri deck.

How much less?

At best, a Zuri deck will cost 60% more than Deckorators (MBC) but could easily be more.

For a simple 12′ x 12′ deck. Deckorators decking will cost $1560.

The same size deck with Zuri will cost between $2496 and $3 744.

That’s a big chunk of change. Another challenge is the variance in price. Yes, where you buy Deckorators will change how much you pay. I have found ordering from a local Deck store will often cost less than ordering online. Often not even a choice at big box stores. But the range is not significant.

But with Zuri, it is.

The price difference can be as much as almost a Deckorators deck.

To add to the additional cost of Zuri is installation.

It is a more complicated decking to install right. And you want to install it right for it looks good and last. But do expect installation to take about 20% more time. Which will either be more weekends working on your deck or additional fees from your deck contractor.

Either way, it will cost even more in the end than Deckorators.

Deckorators VS Zuri for Slip Resistance

Traction is what keeps you on your feet and stops you from sliding around on your deck.

Neither have one the covenant #1 place for best slip resistance of composite decking.

	Dry	Wet
Deckorators (MBC)	0.73-0.74	0.66-0.69
Zuri (PVC)	0.70- 0.72	0.56 – 0.64

But they both have amazing traction. Especially considering that the Canadian Construction Material Centre (CCMC) requires a score of 0.5.

Which they both exceed even when wet.

The difference when dry is minimal but becomes a little more when the rain starts to fall.

But if we are comparing to see who is best.

Deckorators is the winner for having the most slip resistance.

Deckorators VS Zuri for Warranty

None have the best decking warranty in the market. But they do have some good warranties.

Where Deckorators is able to pull ahead slightly, if we dive into the details.

Starting with length.

• Deckorators 25 years fade & stain, 50 years structural
• Zuri – 25-year fade & structural warranty

One advantage for Deckorators is additional 25 years of structural warranty.

Tests have shown that Zuri will probably last as long but for warranty. Deckorators guarantee it.

Prorating of Warranty Payout

A slight complication in comparison is payout.

Yes, both Deckorators and Zuri have a 25-year warranty, but they do not payout the same.

And ultimately, warranties are about money and how much you will receive in the event of failure.

Zuri = 100% coverage for first 10 years.

Deckorators = 100% coverage for the first 6 years.

This 4-year difference affects your payout for the remaining years of the warranty. Meaning it doesn’t matter when you make a claim after year 7. Zuri will compensate more for the material portion of the warranty.

And that is one more complication.

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 Zuri, which only has a 2-year labour warranty.

Plus, it is limited to the amount paid for the original installation. Where Deckorators will pay for labour even if you install the decking yourself.

Not always the case, but if labour is equal to the material cost to build your deck.

At year 10, Deckorators will pay 160% of the decking cost, whereas Zuir will only pay 80%.

But fading further complicates this discussion.

Fade Warranty

Zuri offers a full 25 years of fade-replacement value for the entire cost. They will refund you the full amount if your decking fades excessively, regardless of how old it is.

If Zuri’s colour begins to fade at 24 years. They will pay 100% of the material cost.

Compared to Deckorators 10% plus 10% for labour.

Stain Warranty

The great commission.

Did you catch this when comparing length of warranties?

Zuri does not include staining in their warranty.

Despite extensive testing with excellent results against staining after 30 days.

Which is disappointing. They have a long list of many products that could stain your decking.

But they leave it in your court to clean up spills and prevent staining.

Which is fair.

Decorators demands you clean up spills within 48 hours to prevent staining. But if by some add chance it does stain the decking, that’s under warranty.

Not so with Zuri. If you stain it, that’s on you.

A little complicated, but in the end. Deckorators warranty covers more.

For this reason, we choose Deckorators as the winner for warranty.

Deckorators VS Zuri 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 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 composites
• 35% lighter than traditional composites (WBC)
• 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.

Compared to many PVC deck boards, Zuri has minimal expansion and contraction. Tight butt joints are allowed when installing above 40°F (4°C). Which practically puts in into the category of “virtually not expansions and contraction”.

Plus, Deckorators can be installed near and in water and not void its warranty.

Deckorators is also slightly thinner (7/8″0) compared to Zuri. Measuring a full 1 1/16″ thick.

For flame spread ratings, they both are class B. With only an insignificant difference, with Zuri scoring 95 in flame spread, Deckorators 100. The lower the number, the slower the fire spreads.

What is Zuri Made of?

Zuri’s at its core is Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) containing no organic material. Liberating it from rot, mildew, or mould.

What separates Zuri from other composite and PVC boards is its clear acrylic cap.

It’s 30% more durable and 5X more resistant to wear than composite decking.

Not only does it enhance the look of the wood flooring underneath, but it protects it better.

Ensuring you can enjoy its beauty for many more years.