Fiberon (PVC) Vs MoistureShield

When assessing whether to use Fiberon (PVC) decking boards or MoistureShield, there are five essential factors to consider.

• Appearance
• Slip Resistance
• Price
• Warranty
• Durability

How do Fiberon (PVC) and MoistureShield decking compare?

MoistureShield excels with the number of colours and is more budget-friendly than Fiberon Paramount and Promenade. Fibeorn PVC decking is better for slip resistance and warranty.

Before deciding which composite decking is best for you, a deeper look into how much they differ from one another may be helpful.

Sometimes it’s not a straightforward answer as it seems. Where a deeper explanation would be helpful.

For example, MoistureShield has more colour options, but is that enough to make it the better-looking decking?

Or are there other features that contribute to the decking’s aesthetic which may be more important than colour options?

So let’s get into those details to know for sure which one is better.

How is MoistureShield Better than Fiberon (Paramount, Promenade)?

Of the five comparisons, Moisture Shield is better than Fiberon in 2 ways.

• Appearance
• Price

With pricing, it’s fairly straightforward, except possibly the decking value. We will discuss this a little bit more when we discuss costs.

Appearance is even more debatable. But let’s get into it. Starting with colour and then others elements that contribute to its aesthetics.

Fiberon (PVC) MoistureShield for Appearance

Appearance includes many different things,fiveron but we will start with colour.

MoistureShield decking has a wider range of colours than Fiberon (Paramount, Promenade). Fiberon (PVC) has only 10 colours, while MoistureShield offers 18.

Fiberon has 2 lines with 10 colours.

• Promenade (6)
• Paramount (4)

Compare this with MoistureShield.

MoistureShield has 4 lines with 18 colours.

• Vision®
• Meridian™
• Elevate™
• Vantage™

MoistureShield, with its wider selection of colours and lines, increases the potential of finding the perfectly complementary decking for your home’s aesthetic.

Moreover, in addition to the number of colours, other subjective factors also influence the overall aesthetic of decking.

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

Both brands have multiple lines with slight variations in texture and patterns. This will be a little harder to compare.

But overall, Fiberon PVC boards have a more subtle wire brush finish compared with MoistureShield’s deeper embossed wood grains. The exceptions Meridian, which is not so deeply embossed.

Streaking dark lines are more prevalent with Fiberon. Whereas MoistureShield has less streaking but more colour contrasting within the board embossing. The lines often being lighter than the rest of the decking.

But most of this is best seen, not described, so get a sample in your hands and see which one calls out to you.

Fiberon (PVC) VS MoistureShield Price

Decking cost can be hard to compare on a national scale, with individual markets and availability impacting how much you will pay for your decking.

But overall, expect to pay less for MoistureShield.

Yes, Fiberon has cheaper composite boards, but when comparing their PVC lines with MoistureShield, they cost more.

For Elevate or Vintage, the decking could cost you half as much as Fiberon’s Paramount. The savings increase compared to Promenade.

Vision, MoistureShield’s premium line, including CoolDeck, is still priced less than Fiberon’s PVC boards.

So overall, if the budget is tight, MoistureShield will be a better option.

Or check out Fiberon’s scalloped wood composite boards like Goodlife. Not as good as PVC, but it will cost you less.

How is Fiberon (PVC) Better than MoistureShield Decking?

Two areas where Fiberon PVC decking is better than MoistureShield is.

• Slip Resistance
• Warranty

Which we should take a look at.

Fiberon (Paramount, Promenade) VS MoistureShield for Slip Resistance

Slip resistance is an important factor when it comes to the safety of your deck. Slippery surfaces can cause dangerous falls, and many composite decking can be slippery.

	Dry	Wet
Fiberon (PARAMOUNT PVC)	0.80	0.75
Vision®	0.35	0.78
Elevate™ (MoistureShield Data)	0.69	0.63
Fiberon (Promenade PVC)	0.70	0.51
Vantage™	0.33	0.38

Fiberon Paramount cap is rated with an excellent level of slip-resistant, ensuring safety on your deck.

Promenade also has a good traction rating, just not as good as Paramount, which consistently scores well both when wet and dry.

This is where Vision falls down, and hopefully not you. It scores really well when wet, but when the sun drys off your deck; it loses its incredible traction.

Interestingly, MoistureShield’s more economical board, Elevate, is their most consistent. With good slip resistance both when wet and dry. A little lower than Promenade when dry but consistent traction makes it better in my books.

Vantage, MoistureShield uncapped decking option consistently has poor traction.

Fiberon (PVC) VS MoistureShield for Warranty

Having a good warranty is an important consideration when choosing composite decking, offering peace of mind and financial protection in the event of decking failure.

I am not a lawyer, nor do I want to bore you with the minuscule details of each brand’s warranty, but there are 3 things to consider with a decking warranty.

• What’s included?
• Length
• Prorating.

What’s included in their warranties?

Both brands include the standard fade, stain and structural warranty.

Your decking will not stain if spills are cleaned in an appropriate amount of time.

The colour will not fade more than 5 Delta-E, the exception being Vantage.

Vantage is an uncapped composite which MoistureShield is upfront with that you should expect fading similar to wood decking.

Length

Structural, both brands warranty their decking against splitting, delaminating and warping for 50 years.

Fading and staining varies by brand a line.

MoistureShield fade and stain warranty varies by line.

• Elevate™ has a 30-year warranty
• Meridian™ has a 40-year warranty
• Vision® has a 50-year warranty

Vantage has no warranty against fading or staining.

Fiberon is warranted against fading for 50 years for both lines.

Giving it the advantage for decking warranty length. Only Vision competes for length.

Prorating Payout

Now, this is going to get a little complicated, especially with MoistureShield.

Structurally Moistureshield warranty is reduced by 2% annually. By year 11, with 10 years of depreciation, the payout is 80% of the decking costs.

With fading and staining. All lines (except Vantage), payout 100% for the first 10 years.

Than it depends on the length of the decking warranty. Dropping by 10% every 2 years with a 30-year warranty. 3 years with a 4-year warranty. Every 4 years with a 50-year warranty, except the last 8 years, which are at 10%.

Where Fiberon warranty also pays 100% for the first 10 years but includes structural. If you make a claim after 9 years of deck enjoyment, you get back every dollar you paid for your decking. Full, 100% replacement. 

Decreasing by 10% every 4 years after that.

Similar to Vision.

The big difference is after year 50. Where MoistureShield Vision warranty ends. Fiberon continues to payout 10% after that. With no limitations.

Giving Fiberon thee longest decking warranty in the business.

Labour Warranty

Replacing the decking is a laborious and expensive process, making labour warranty extremely valuable. At times worth more than the material warranty payout.

MoistureShield warranty covers the cost of labour for 2 or 5 years, depending on the contractor you hire. And does not include Elevate.

Fiberon also has a labour warranty limited to Fiberon-trained installers, but it is for a full 5 years.

Making it equal to or better than MoistureShield’s labour warranty.

Combining this with its length of warranty gives Fiberon one of the best composite decking warranties.

Fiberon (PVC) VS MoistureShield for Durability

When it comes to quality and durability, the warranty alone does not tell the whole story for Fiberon or MoistureShield.

Maybe, more importantly, is the decking core materials!

Capping also playing a factor in how long the composite decking lasts. As it adds to the board’s durability against wear and tear.

Making it worth considering before making your decision.

What is Fiberon Decking Made of?

Fiberon’s Promenade and Paramount feature a Cellular Foam Polymer Core of PolyVinyl Chloride (PVC) and coextruded caps, making them resistant to rotting, water absorption, and staining.

The Promenade decking is capped on all 4-sides, while the Paramount decking is capped only on 3-sides.

Their capping differences aside, both lines have no risk of fungal infestation or rotting due to zero organic material.

What is MoistureShield Decking Made of?

MoistureShield stands out from its composite deck board competitors with its innovative encapsulating process. Every red oak sawdust is wrapped in High-Density Polyethylene, safeguarding the wood from water damage.

Offering unbeatable moisture protection and making MoistureShield one of the best wood-based composites for use around water.

Like docks or ground-level decks. Even a north-facing deck that is often shaded. Where decking that is resistant to water is ideal.

MoistureShield Decking Cap

MoistureShield is all over the deck (Map) when it comes to capping.

• Vision® and Meridian™ capped all 4 sides.
• Elevate capped 3 sides.
• Vantage is uncapped.

So regardless of what capping you think is best.

• A board should be entirely protected.
• The core needs to be able to breathe out moisture with a side that is not covered.
• Decking Caps just increase decking costs.

MoistureShield has options for you.

MoistureShield also offers an innovative feature on some of its decking lines called “CoolDeck® Technology,” promising to decrease the temperature of your decking surface by up to 35%.

But often, deck experience shows decking colour will often play a bigger role in determining how hot your deck gets.

Additionally, some boards are protected with DiamondDefenseTM Coating, making them more resistant to scratches, stains and impact damage. Helping your board retain its appearance for a longer period of time.

Fiberon is made from PVC, resistant to rotting, water absorption, and staining, with a warranty to back up their claims.