MoistureShield Vs Zuri PVC

Comparing MoistureShield and Zuri Decking

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

  • Appearance
  • Slip Resistance
  • Price
  • Warranty
  • Durability

How do MoistureShield and Zuri PVC decking compare?

MoistureShield has 3 times the amount of decking colour than Zuri with a much longer warranty. Along with being priced better. But there are reasons to believe that Zuri decking is better despite these.

It’s not all a clear-cut answer.

For some, the difference is mixed.

In other categories. It depends much more on what you value. With each offering a distinctly different reason for choosing it over the other.

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

How is Zuri PVC Better than MoistureShield?

This match-up was not what I expected.

Usually, we have one or two that go to one board and then the rest to the other. With clear wins on both sides.

The competition is often tight, and personnel tastes often decide more between Zuri decking and MoistureShield than hard numbers.

Requiring a deeper look to decide which one is best.

For example, decking traction.

MoistureShield VS Zuri PVC for Slip Resistance

Traction, often called slip resistance, is key to being able to enjoy your deck without constantly worrying about slipping and falling. Which takes all the fun out of being out on your deck.

Neither Zuri nor MoistureShield are rated as having the best slip resistance of composite deckingOpens in a new tab..

 DryWet
Vision®Opens in a new tab.0.350.78
 ZuriOpens in a new tab.0.70 – 0.720.56 – 0.64
Elevate™Opens in a new tab. (MoistureShield Data)0.690.63
Vantage™0.330.38
Decking Traction Info

To further complicate matters are differences between company traction testing and third-party testing like Canadian Construction Material Centre (CCMC). We are using CCMC numbers as much as possible as we feel third party testing will be less biased and consistent between brands.

Further complicating matters is Vision’s low slip resistance (CCMC) when dry. This is unusual as most material has better grip when dry, not less.

Plus, MoistureShield’s technical specifications do not correlate with this data. But the opposite, with the Coefficient of Static Friction increasing when dry.

They also significantly rate Vantage better for traction.

So if we go with their data. MoistureShield is more slip resistant than Zuri.

But if we go with CCMC test results.

Zuri is better than Vision when dry but still exceeds CCMC 0.5 recommended rating when wet.

But since most of us enjoy our decks in the sun, when the decking is dry. Making dry traction rating more important than wet.

How is MoistureShield Better than Zuri PVC Decking?

The next three are a little more clear, that MoistureShield is better than Zuri.

  • Appearance
  • Price
  • Warranty

Well, except maybe appearance.

And warranty depends on how long you plan to enjoy your deck.

But let’s consider appearance first.

MoistureShield VS Zuri PVC for Appearance

Appearance is often thee deciding factor when choosing decking.

But is also one of the most subjective categories.

A clearer comparison is the number of colours.

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 has colour options and textures that reflect the look of real hardwood. Not in the fashion of Zuri with a photo imageOpens in a new tab. but plastic formed to imitate hardwood.

MoistureShield Meridian™

  • Citadel
  • Shoreside
  • Mariner

All 3 colours of Meridian include CoolTechnolgy.

Meridian has a low-profile wood grain pattern with less pattern repetition evoking the look and feel of real wood.

Compared to Vision, the wood grains are less pronounced with softer, more subtle wood grains. Both in looks and feel.

MoistureShield Elevate™

  • Canoe
  • Lake Fog
  • Riverbank
  • Alpine Gray

Similar in appearance to Meridian but scalloped to reduced cost.

MoistureShield Vantage™

  • Bridle
  • Cape Cod Gray
  • Earthtone
  • Seasoned Mahogany
  • Walnut

An uncapped versionOpens in a new tab. of Vision in wood grains appearance.

Zuri has 6 Hardwood Colours

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

Zuri has a subtle wood grain pattern imitating hardwood flooring. With names reflecting the hardwood commonly used for flooring.

If the number count, decide which brand will more likely have a colour that you like.

MoistureShield is the clear winner, with 3X the number of colours to choose from.

Along with more variety, with a wider colour palette.

Beyond colours, there are 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

Here we believe Zuri excels. Its imitation hardwood flooring boards are second to none.

I have seen no composite decking that looks like Zuri including MoistureShield.

But Zuri’s hardwood look is not for everyone.

If you like it, you’ll love it. Even with less colours to choose from.

But if it doesn’t work for you. MoistureShield has more colours to choose from plus a look closer to traditional deck boards without all the maintenance.

MoistureShield VS Zuri PVC Price

When comparing the cost of decking, it becomes a lot easier.

The numbers don’t lie.

Lineal Price
Elevate$2.75 – 4.00
Vintage$3.50 – 4.00
Vision (CoolDeck) $6.00 – 6.50
Zuri Hardwood Collection$8-12.00
Cost Per foot of Decking

Your Credit Card statement will clearly show if you bought MositureShield or Zuri.

If you bought MoistureShield, it will be significantly less.

Zuri is more limited of where you can buy, resulting in a wider range of prices.

But best case scenario, installing MoistureShield’s best decking, Vision, you will save about $1-2 dollars per foot of decking.

That’s a saving of between $312 – $624 for a simple 12′ x12′ deck.

A bigger deck will only increase the savings.

Another factor is the cost of installation.

Zuri decking requires more work and time to install. Roughly 20% more than other composite decking.

Increasing the cost between the to all that more.

Along with the fact that Zuri has only 1 line to choose from. Unlike MoistureShield, where you can choose a less costly board, Elevate for the field boards. And then picture frame with a solid Vision board.

Highlighting the deck’s appearance while saving money on the not-so-eye-catching centre boards.

Which you cannot do with Zuri.

All coming together making MoistureShield a better value for its price.

MoistureShield VS Zuri PVC for Warranty

Neither MoistureShield nor Zuri have the best composite decking warranty.

But when comparing warranty length, MoistureShield is the clear winner.

  • Zuri – 25-year structural & fade
  • Elevate™ has a 30-year warranty
  • Meridian™ has a 40-year warranty
  • Vision® has a 50-year warranty

MoistureShield’s uncapped Vantage has no warranty against fading or staining.

But all of MostureShield’s decking comes with a 50-year structural warranty.

So even if the colour fades, the boards are warranted not to fail.

Interestingly, Zuri does not include staining as part of their warranty. Test results show that it it quite durable against staining, but beyond listing products not to expose your decking and how to clean it. They offer nothing more for stains.

Prorating

Beyond peace of mind, warranties are about compensation if the decking fails.

The time and level of payout do differ between companies.

For fading.

They are significantly different.

MoistureShield has a more common fade warranty. 100% coverage fo the first 10 years and then reducing by increments of 10% every few years depending on the length of the warranty.

Elevate looses 10% payout roughly every two years.

Vision with its longer warranty, 10% every 4 years. With a longer 7-year period of 10% payment near the end.

Zuri fade warrantyOpens in a new tab. is shorter but better.  Paying out 100% for the entire warranty length of 25 years.

If your Zuri deck fades after 24 years of enjoyment, they will pay 100% of the decking cost.

Twice as much as MoistureShield Vision’s fade warranty.

Except for Vision, will pay out twice as long.

Structural payout is similar.

No, Zuri is not 100% for the length of the warrant but is prorated.

But Zuri payouts out 100% for the first 10 years.

Where structurally, MoistureShield loses 2% value every year. Starting in year 2.

Therefore at year 10, Zuri is paying out 100%Opens in a new tab.. But MoistureShield is only paying 82%.

Tying again in year 11, with both paying out 80%.

Then by year 14, MoistureShield pulls ahead and, for the rest of the life of the deck, will payout more for structural failures.

So which warranty is better depends on when you will need it and for what.

For the first 10 years, Zuri will better compensate you for structural failures.

For fading, this extends to 25 years.

But after that.

MoistureShield’s warranty is way better than Zuri’s non-existing warranty.

But since few of us will enjoy our decks for more than 25 years.

The chance of moving before the warranty runs out is high.

But if you do plan to stay a long time in your house with the deck of your dreams. Then MoistureShield’s warranty is better. Plus, it includes staining so you can spill a little more and worry less.

MoistureShield VS Zuri PVC for Durability

Beyond how long with warranty claims the decking will last.

How durable the material used in the decking may be a better question to reveal how long it will last.

MoistureShield Decking Core

MoistureShield is a wood-based compositeOpens in a new tab., a combination of thermoplastic and wood fibres.

Unique compared to many other composite deck boards is their encapsulating process.

Each red oak wood fibre is protected by high-Density Polyethylene plastic. A more rigid and chemical-resistant plastic compared to the more common plastic of composite decking. Increasing MositureShield’s durability.

Especially in high moisture areas, like a dock or ground-level deck. Or even a north-facing deck in the shade.

MoistureShield Decking Cap

MoistureShield has a variety of capping standards.

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

So regardless of what way you think is best.

  • A board should be entirely protected.
  • The core needs to breathe, releasing moisture with an uncapped side.
  • Caps just add to the decking cost.

MoistureShield has a collection for you.

MoistureShield includes “CoolDeck® Technology,” promising to reduce the heat of the decking by 35% for some of its Vision® and Meridian boards.

Further, the cap uses DiamondDefenseTM Coating. Increasing resistance to scratches, stains, and impact damage. Helping the boards to look good for longer.

Zuri Decking Core

Zuri is a PolyVinyl Chloride (PVC) deckingOpens in a new tab. at its core with many of the advantages that PVC provides. Increasing longevity and durability with water having minimal impact.

Zuri Decking Cap

Zuri is capped with clear acrylic, 3X thicker than the standard for interior floors. Protecting the hardwood image wrapping the core of the decking from wear and water.

Acrylic is 30% more durable and 5X more resistant to wear than standard composite decking.

With amazing results.

Less than 1.5 Delta-E change of colour after 17 000 hours of QUV. Which is 10X the usual amount of exposure in testing fade resistance.