A Carpenter’s Review of Ultradeck (Mernards) Composite Decking

If you’re shopping for a new deck, you might be wondering which composite decking is worth the extra money. In this review, we’ll look at Ultradeck Composite Decking. Going over some of Ultradeck’s features and benefits so that you can make an informed decision before spending your hard-earned money. Let’s get

What to Consider Before Buying Composite Decking

To begin, we’ll go over some of Ultradeck decking’s features and advantages so that you can make an educated decision before spending your money.

Ultradeck decks come in a variety of hues, with 15 distinct colours available. This allows you to match the design of your home to your preferences. You’ll also be able to discover a colour that compliments your current backyard scheme without overpowering it.

Decking made of composite material can be slippery, especially when wet. This is why traction is so significant to consider when reviewing decking. The right cap will provide excellent traction in all weather conditions. Being more secure for children, the elderly, and pets

Composite decking is often more expensive than traditional wood, but there are a few reasons why it might be worth the extra money.

For one, composite decking is much more durable than traditional wood. It won’t rot, warp, or splinter, making it a safer choice for families with children and pets.

Composite decking can be easier to work with, meaning you’ll spend less time and money on installation.

Making composite decking a great choice for your next deck.

Brief Introduction to Ultradeck as a Company

Ulradeck is a brand name belonging to Midwest Manufacturing Inc. It has been around since 1969, when it started manufacturing trusses. The company filed for a patent for UltraDeck Fusion in 2005. When they started making composite decking.

Description of Ultradeck Decking

Ultradeck has 7 lines with 15 colours.

ULTRADECK INSPIRE^TM

• Canyon
• Fieldstone
• Sandstone
• Spanish Cedar

The beauty of the UltraDeck InspireTM is that it comes in various colours. Each plank of UltraDeck InspireTM has stunning, dramatic colour variations, resulting in no two boards looking alike. The deep woodgrain pattern and low sheen appearance of Inspire are only some of its features. Not only does it look fantastic, but it has been designed with the most durable materials. Inspire is scratch-resistant, fade-resistant, and stain-resistant, making it tough enough to handle any weather condition.

ULTRADECK FUSION® 2.0

• Walnut
• Rosewood

The deep, rich, and consistent colour of UltraDeck Fusion® 2.0 is fade, slip, scratch, and stain-resistant. The decking’s low sheen appearance gives each deck board a genuine wood visual appeal.

ULTRADECK FUSION^®

• Driftwood Gray
• Coastal Cedar

The colour variants in UltraDeck Fusion® are inspired by tropical hardwoods and feature the quality finishing for scratch, impact, and fade resistance. Fusion is designed to give your deck a distinct look by reflecting natural colour changes.

ULTRADECK TRIUMPH^TM

• Pecan
• Slate

At an incredible value, UltraDeck Triumph^TM provides all of the benefits of cap stock decking: fade, crack, and stain resistance. Triumph is highly fade, impact, scratch, and stain-resistant and will undoubtedly be a crowd favourite for anyone looking to elevate their decking game.

RUSTIC^TM

• Hickory
• Cedar
• Gray
• Redwood

The look of natural wood without the maintenance. Rustic^TM is a low-maintenance composite decking that gives the appearance of real wood while avoiding upkeep. Rustic^TM includes UV-reactive compounds that guarantee that your decking will take on the initially faded appearance of the wood it attempts to replicate. Rustic^TM delivers durability against splintering, cracking, rotting and insects. But will begin to fade to a lighter shade 30-60 days after exposure to the sun.

Decking Profiles of Ultradeck

There are 3 different profiles of decking.

Rustic, Fusion and 2.0. plus, Inspire are 5-3/16″ wide by 1″ thick.

Fusion is 5″ wide by 7/8″.

Natural is 4″ wide by 1-1/16″ thick.

Except for Inspire^tm and Natural^tm, all of UltraDeck’s decking is scalloped. Instead of scallops, Natural has hollow cylinders that allow either side to be used. Inspired is UltraDeck’s only real solid board. It isn’t reversible like Natural but offers the same level of substance as TimberTech’s solid deck

Features & Benefits Ultradeck Composite Decking

If you’re pondering decking, you should be aware of the features and advantages Ultradeck decking can provide.

Ultradeck Decking Core

The company’s website claims that 100 percent of the decking material is recycled.

Wood fibres are protected and require less maintenance because of polyethylene. Simultaneously, the wood fibres enhance strength while lowering costs. A stunning, long-lasting decking that requires little upkeep

Ultradeck Decking Cap

UltraDeck’s approach to capping is somewhat unique. UltraDeck sells uncapped decking, which has a different look than capped decking and lacks the extra durability and protection that caps provide.

The boards from UltraDeck come with three distinct levels and styles of caps.

A PLATINUM cap is available for Inspire. It’s the most durable and full-featured of all their caps. Fully covering the top, both sides, and tucking under the bottom of the board on the bottom

The Fusion PREMIUM caps are identical. It’s comparable to Platinum, but it has more colour tones. The appearance of the decking is enhanced by adding additional variety. The original Fusion cap stops just before the groove begins, while their 2.0 version is more like Platinum and extends into the groove and beyond the bottom corner.

Finally, Triumph has a Standard cap. Nothing special, just decent decking protection with a touch more colour than uncapped composite. The top and sides are completed with the cap, which extends beyond the bottom edges for a complete wrap while still leaving the bottom unaddressed.

Cost of UltraDeck Decking

Ultradeck composite decking offers many features and benefits. It is made of recycled materials, is easy to install, and is low-maintenance. Ultradeck composite decking is available at a very affordable price, making it the perfect choice for any homeowner on a budget.

The price of UltraDeck Decking ranges from $1.60 to 4.60 a lineal foot, depending on the line and colour you choose.

When compared to the cost of other composite decking, UltraDeck is priced on the lower end. Deck boards like Rustic, Triumph and Natural a priced below $2.50 a lineal foot. It is hard to find other composite decking at that price.

Both Fusion lines are under $3.00, still a very economical option.

Only Inspire is in the $4-5 range. Similarly priced as Trex Transcend and many other composite deck boards.

Durability and Warranty of UltraDeck Decking 

UltraDeck has two warranties levels.

A 10-year limited warranty for their Rustic™, Natural™, and Quickcap. This pertains to the structural integrity of the decking, not its fading or staining. A very short and limited warranty for industry standards.

UltraDeck’s capped decking Inspired, Fusion, Fusion 2.0 and Triumph all are back by a 25-year limited Warranty.

Neither one include labour which many of the more prominent brands have started to include in the last few years.

Alternatives to UltraDeck Composite Decking

Here you’ll find two comparisons of UltraDeck to other well-known composite materials. To view the difference, click the link.

• UltraDeck vs Trex
• UltraDeck vs Timbertech

If you’d like to learn more about the many types of composite decking, be sure to look at our additional list of the best composite decking brands.

Conclusion in Reviewing UltraDeck Composite Decking

UltraDeck is not a prominent composited decking brand like Trex, Fiberon or Timbertech but has similarities in design and function.

One feature that sets them apart is they still sell uncapped composite, which is unusual in the current market. Top of mind, Moistureshield is another company that produces both capped and uncapped composite decking.

As seen through their warranty, their high-end boards are similar to many other compoiste decking brands for durability. Meeting the standard 25-year and covering structural, fading and staining.

One aspect that sets them apart, in my opinion, is price. They are very well priced for composite decking. A few years ago Trex set out to put pressure on pressure-treated decking with their introduction of Enhance Basics. But Ultradeck has been doing this for years. Not just with a line but multiple lines, which are priced to be affordable for most homeowners. Making Ultradeck worth considering for your low maintenance deck.

Enjoy your Deck.