When assessing MoistureShield and WearDeck decking boards, there are 5 essential features to consider that will determine which board is the right fit for your deck.
- Appearance
- Slip Resistance
- Price
- Warranty
- Durability
In what ways does MoistureShield decking differ from WearDeck’s?
WearDeck has a dependable, consistent slip resistance, better than most of MoistureShield’s decking options. Where MoistureShield excels is with more colour options, multiple price options and a more comprehensive warranty.
Both have a very unique approach to making their decking more durable than other composite decking options. Which we will get to near the end.
But for now, I need to hand it to both of them for seeing a problem with composite decking and formulating decking material that is more durable.
To ultimately discover which composite decking is ideal
for you, it’s necessary to look deeper into the differences between them.
By weighing up how much they vary from one another, we can make a more informed decision.
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 MoistureShield looks better on a deck, but you may not share my taste of what makes a deck board look good.
So let’s get into it, starting with where WearDeck is better than MoistureShield.
How is WearDeck Better than MoistureShield?
Out of these 5 features, WearDeck is better in.
- Slip Resistance
Only one but a significant one. Which we feel is often underrated, considering how important it is to keep you on your feet enjoying your deck.
MoistureShield VS WearDeckfor Slip Resistance
Slip resistance is an important factor to consider when selecting composite decking. MoistureShield and WearDeck are both manufactured to walk on, but there are slight differences between the two in traction.
| Dry | Wet | |
| Vision® | 0.35 | 0.78 |
| WearDeck | 0.67 | 0.69 |
| Elevate™ (MoistureShield Data) | 0.69 | 0.63 |
| Vantage™ | 0.33 | 0.38 |
Plus, MoistureShield varies among boards.
Vision provides the best slip resistance when wet but performs very poorly when dry.
This is why I choose WearDeck as the winner for slip resistance. Not only does it exceed the majority of MoistureShield’s boards for slip resistance, but it is consistent.
Not only provides better traction than Canadian Construction Material Centre’s (CCMC) minimum recommended traction rating of 0.5. But provides almost the exact same level both when wet and dry.
Allowing you to feel confident and secure when walking on your WearDeck deck. As it will respond the same underfoot dry in the sun but also when it’s wet from the waves or rain.
If you are looking for composite decking with even better slip resistance, click the link.
How is MoistureShield Better than WearDeck Decking?
Out of these 5 features, MoistureShield is better than WearDeck for.
- Warranty
- Appearance
- Price
MoistureShield VS WearDeck for Warranty
Neither has the best composite decking warranty in the market. Though MoistureShield is close.
But let’s get into how and why.
Structural
For structural warranties, both are practically the same. With a lifetime warranty (50 years) covering against splitting, cracking and the like.
Fade and Staining
Here there is a significant difference.
WearDeck does not warranty this at all. In fact, WearDeck is very upfront that you should expect its decking to fade in the sun. Even with additives to reduce fading, the decking still shows signs of discoloration.
MoistureShield is similar with its uncapped Vantage line. No warranty against fading and staining, and you should expect the colour to change. Especially the first 6 months in the sun.
For MoistureShield’s other 3 lines, they do have a warranty against staining and fading no more than 5 Delta E. Barely noticeable to the naked eye.
- Elevate™ has a 30-year warranty
- Meridian™ has a 40-year warranty
- Vision® has a 50-year warranty
It’s not lifetime (except Vision), but its peace of mind that for a long period of time, you can enjoy the colour of decking that you choose. Not the sun-worn look that often shows up after the first summer.
But it is pro-rated, which will impact replacement in the future.
Prorating
WearDeck does not provide a clear outline of its proration timetable.
But offers replacement of boards that are split, splintered or warped and return to them.
Meaning structurally if they fail, you will have new decking.
This can have its advantages and drawbacks.
If you still love WearDeck, you can continue to enjoy WearDeck with the new undamaged boards.
If you feel WearDeck’s failure is too much and want to switch brands. You can’t without paying for it. Unlike MoistureShield, which will refund you a portion of the money you paid for the decking, and then you are free to decide which decking you want to replace it with.
How much MoistureShield will pay depends on the type of failure and line.
Structurally, it’s reduced by 2% every year. So by year 25, it’s down to 50% of the cost of the decking.
For fading and staining, it depends on the length of the warranty.
All 3 lines are a 100% for the first 10 years. The time you are most likely to see fading.
After that, it drops by 10% roughly every 2 years for Elevate, 3 for Meridian and 4 for Vision. But all three have a longer 10% portion at the end.
MoistureShield’s warranty is better than WearDeck for a multitude of reasons.
Firstly, MoistureShield’s warranty provides coverage of staining and fading. WearDeck does not.
MoistureShield also offers prorated payout, so if you decide to switch brands if MoistureShield fails, you can receive a portion of your money back to spend on new decking. WearDeck does not provide such coverage. so you are committed to using their decking even if it doesn’t work for your deck.
The single thing that makes MoistureShield’s warranty better than WearDeck is what it includes, fading and staining.
Plus, the option to take your money and switch to a different brand is beneficial.
Combined gives MoistureShield the best warranty of the two.
MoistureShield VS WearDeck for Appearance
It is understandable that this beauty can be viewed in as very subjective, yet when it comes to decking, appearance plays an essential role.
Appearance is so important that it decking salespeople tell me it often becomes the primary factor. Everything else is often ignored when choosing the decking they like.
The abundance of sample boxes and displays in stores clearly illustrates how much emphasis we place on aesthetics.
Let us begin by examining the colours of each brand.
How many does each company offer?
MoistureShield has 4 lines with 18 colours.
MoistureShield Vision®
- Smokey Gray
- Spanish Leather
- Sandstone
These 3 include CoolDeck Technology
- Cathedral Stone
- Mochaccino
- Cold Brew
Vision colours and textures reflect the look of natural hardwood.
MoistureShield Meridian™
- Citadel
- Shoreside
- Mariner
All 3 colours of Meridian include CoolTechnolgy.
Meridian’s natural look and feel is achieved through its low-profile wood grain pattern, which creates a less obvious repetition that resembles real hardwood.
In comparison to Vision, the wood grains are less discernible and have a more subtle look and feel. The grain patterns become even smoother with an improved tactile sense.
MoistureShield Elevate™
- Canoe
- Lake Fog
- Riverbank
- Alpine Gray
With its scalloped edges, this design is similar to Meridian but with a reduced price.
MoistureShield Vantage™
- Bridle
- Cape Cod Gray
- Earthtone
- Seasoned Mahogany
- Walnut
An uncapped version of Vision with a similar hardwood appearance.
WearDeck has 8 Colours
- Cedar
- Barefoot Sand
- Sand
- Weatherwood
- Saddle
- Cool Grey
- Barefoot Grey
- White
Less than half the amount MoistureShield has to offer, plus all our solid colours.
The MoistureShield decking offers more choices in terms of colour when compared with WearDeck. MoistureShield has four lines with 18 colours, whereas WearDeck has 8. MoistureShield’s lines also have more variety for appearances. Which may align better with your own taste.
MoistureShield’s Vision line with a strong wood grain pattern.
Meridian with a more subtle wood grain pattern.
Plus, Elevate, with its scalloped bottom, reduces cost while still enjoying a similar appearance as Vision.
Finally, their uncapped Vantage line reduces cost and allows your decking to fade with the sun naturally.
For these reasons, we give MoistureShield the win for appearance. But that doesn’t mean WearDeck may have the perfect-looking decking for your deck or dock.
MoistureShield VS WearDeck Price
Regionality and availability can be a challenge when discussing pricing of composite decking. This is particularly true for MoistureShield and WeraDeck as both are not as nationally available as brands like Trex or TimberTech, which you can buy at many big box stores along with many independent building supply or deck stores.
For WearDeck, I sourced the price from Decks and Docks, one of the larger retailers of WearDeck on the east coast.
| Lineal Price | |
| Elevate | $2.75 – 4.00 |
| Vintage | $3.50 – 4.00 |
| WearDeck 1″ thick | $4-4.50 |
| Vision (CoolDeck) | $6.00 – 6.50 |
Neither are the lowest-cost composite decking around, but Elevate is similar in price to mid-grade composite deckings such as Trex Enhance Naturals or Fiberon GoodLife Weekenders.
But MoistureShield Vision boards with their CoolDeck Technology are priced higher than WearDeck boards priced among the Hign End of composite decking. Of which many are full PVC boards.
The advantage of MoistureShield in cost over WearDeck is options.
You can either opt for the cost-effective Elevate scallop decking or upgrade to Vision and enjoy the extra benefits, such as CoolDeck Technology.
In comparison to WearDeck, which only provides a single line, all roughly at the same price.
For this reason we give the win for cost to MoistureShield.
MoistureShield VS WearDeck for Durability
MoistureShield Decking Core
Through a unique blend of thermoplastic and wood fibres, MoistureShield creates an innovative composite material that is resistant to water.
Setting this composite deck board apart from most others is its encapsulating process, which shields each red oak sawdust fibre against moisture damage. Hence the name.
With MoistureShield composite, High-Density Polyethylene protects the wood and adds to its durability. This rigid plastic is highly resistant to chemicals as well.
Especially in damp places such as marinas, decks at ground level or those facing north that are shaded by trees.
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 camp you subscribe to.
- A board should be entirely protected.
- The core needs to breathe, releasing moisture with an uncapped side.
- Caps just add to decking cost.
MoistureShield has a board for you.
A cap feature that MoistureShield includes on some of its deck lines is “CoolDeck® Technology,” promising to reduce the heat of the decking by 35%.
Also, some boards are further protected by DiamondDefenseTM Coating. Increasing resistance to scratches, stains, and impact damage. Helping the boards to look good for longer.
What is WearDeck Decking Made of?
WearDeck is an innovative composite decking that does not contain any wood or organic material, reducing the chance of rot or mildew on your deck.
Instead, it is a blend of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and fibreglass, which increase strength while simultaneously reducing thermal expansion. This unique fusion results in much stronger boards than typical composites available on the market today.
Allowing WeaqrDeck to span 24″ on centre joists, saving wood and making the deck lighter for dock applications.
In tests, it has been proven 2.7 times stronger than wood composites.
Plus, the fibreglass fibres do not absorb water, making it ideal in wet or damp locations. Including right in water.
To boot, it has minimal expansion and contraction with less limitations in installation.
