Deckorators vs WearDeck

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

• Appearance
• Slip Resistance
• Price
• Warranty
• Durability

How do Deckorators and WearDeck decking compare?

WearDeck is better priced than Deckorators (MBC), with a longer warranty. But Deckorators has slightly better slip resistance and better-looking boards.

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 Deckorators 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 WearDeck is better than Deckorators.

How is WearDeck Better than Deckorators Decking?

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

• Price
• Warranty

Deckorators VS WearDeck Price

Our bank account will often determine what we can buy. Including decking.

Which makes decking cost a critical aspect of selection.

WearDeck is not a nationally sold product which can make pricing more difficult to nail down.

I used Decks and Docks, who were very helpful.

It doesn’t matter what line of Deckorators you are comparing with. WearDeck will cost less.

I often compare 12′ x 12′ decks but since both WearDeck and Deckorators (MBC) are good near water, let’s call it a dock.

A 12′ X 12′ dock with 26 deck boards. With WearDeck, that will cost $1 404.

The same size dock with Deckorators with Voyage will cost $2 028.

That’s a little over $600 difference.

That’s like 3 Polywood chairs to enjoy the sun with.

This is why WearDeck is the winner with better-priced mineral-based composite decking.

Deckorators VS WearDeck for Warranty

None have the best decking warranty in the market. But do have similar warranty lengths.

• Deckorators 25 years fade & stain, 50 years structural
• WearDeck has a Limited Lifetime Structural warranty.

Well, this is going to need a little closer look.

First what is not included.

Deckorators include fading and staining for 25 years.

WearDeck does not.

In fact, WearDeck is very upfront in their warranty that you should expect colour change.

Despite additives in the decking to minimize fading. I am guessing experience has taught them to minimize expectation is better than trying to warranty against it.

The harness of sun and salt on marine docks a common location for WearDeck. This makes sense.

Prorating

Deckorators warranty is prorated.

100% replacement for the first 6 years and then depreciating till the end of the warranty. Slower with their longer structural warranty but with the same effect.

WearDeck does not explicitly state its prorating schedule.

But offers replacement of boards that are split, splintered or warped and return to them.

Which can be good and bad.

If you still love WearDeck, you can continue to enjoy WearDeck with the new undamaged boards.

If you are done with WearDeck.

Unlike Deckorators which you can take the refunded money and possibly buy different decking.

With WearDeck, you are stuck with them.

Labour warranty.

Now, this further complicates the 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 WearDeck, which has no labour warranty.

With WearDeck, you not only have to pay to remove the damaged decking but also pay for both returning it to them and shipping it back to your place. Not to mention the cost to re-install the new boards.

This one is a tough one.

We like Deckorators’ labour warranty and including fading. Because who really wants an ugly-looking deck?

The option of taking the payout and upgrading to a better decking is also appealing.

But, WearDeck, warrantied for a lifetime, is hard to compete with.

Especially when you consider how inflation eats away at our paying power.

Today’s dollars will not buy the same decking tomorrow.

Plus, with every year, it gets smaller and smaller replacement payout.

For this reason we choose WearDeck.

But to be upfront, I have done more composite decking warranty work in relationship to fading/staining than breaking. You are more likely to be disappointed in its colour years from now than its durability.

I am almost about to flip, but let’s leave this one with WearDeck.

How is Deckorators Better than WearDeck Decking?

Two things where Deckorator out performs WearDeck is.

• Appearance
• Slip Resistance

Slip resistance is fairly straightforward.

But let’s tackle appearance first.

Deckorators VS WearDeck for Appearance

We are going to focus on colour options first because it’s the easiest to quantify. Then flip to the other side of appearance, which is much more subject to personal taste. Your taste.

Decorators (MBC) Colours

Deckorators (MBC) has 2 lines, with 8 colours.

Voyage (MBC) Decking (6)

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

Look and feel of traditional wood decking without significant wood grain patterns. But with more dark streaking to enhance the depth of the decking colour.

Vault (MBC) Decking (2)

• Dusk
• Mesquite

Vault has a more traditional cathedral grain look.

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.

WearDeck Colours

WearDeck has 8 different colours to choose from.

• Cedar
• Barefoot Sand
• Sand
• Weatherwood
• Saddle
• Cool Grey
• Barefoot Grey
• White

Tying in number of colours leaves us with more subjective items for decking appearance.

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

Deckorators has both wire brushed and Catherderal wood grains between Voyage and Vault.

But as a quick summary, Deckorators will have more hair texture, colour variation and streaking than WearDeck.

For us, we prefer the look of Deckorators. The streaking and colour depth is greater with WearDeck. Hence why we choose it.

But looking at actual decks or holding samples side by side will make it much clearer which is the right look for you.

Deckorators VS WearDeck for Slip Resistance

Slip resistance keeps you on your feet, enjoying walking around on your deck.

Which is why its so important when choosing composite dekcing.

Neither Deckorators (MBC) nor WearDeck has the best traction of composite decking.

But both do score well, Exceeding the 0.5 recommended by the Canadian Construction Material Centre (CCMC) and 0.6 of Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Meaning it does not matter which one you choose. Both will minimize slipping on your deck.

But for the best. Decorators perform slightly better when dry.

Deckorators VS WearDeck for Durability

For durability, it’s often a good idea to compare materials. Often making the key difference between decking durability and how long it will last.

What is Decorators (MBC) Decking 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
• 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″0) compared to WearDeck. Having multiple thicknesses, 1 1/16″, 1 11/32″ and 1 1/2″

What is WearDeck Decking Made of?

WearDeck is not a traditional composite containing no wood material or any organic material. But rather is a combination of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and fibreglass. The fibreglass is blended in to increase decking strength while reducing thermal expansion. A real challenge of PVC decking.

This blend results in stronger decking boards.

• Span 24″ O.C.
• 2.7X Stronger
• Doesn’t absorb Water
• Can be installed in water, in contact with dirt
• Minimal expansion and contraction

Comparing Material

Both Deckorators (MBC) and WearDeck are mineral-based composites. With similar performance and advantages.

One place they do differ is plastic.

Deckorators is made with polypropylene.

WearDeck, high-density polyethylene.

The biggest difference between the two is density and UV resistance.

WearDec plastic is denser, and slightly heavier than Deckorators. But it is also naturally more resident to UV damage than polypropylene.

This can be matched with additives in polypropylene., which Decorators does.