Deckorators is one of the most popular brands of composite decking in the United States. Made from a mixture of wood fibers and plastic resins, composite decking like Deckorators aims to provide the beauty of natural wood without all the maintenance.
However, Deckorators decking complaints reveal that this product also comes with its fair share of issues.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll take an in-depth look at the most common Deckorators decking problems reported by homeowners. We’ll explain what causes these composite decking complaints and examine the best ways to prevent or fix them.
By the end, you’ll have a better understanding of the downsides of Deckorators and other composite materials so you can make an informed decision about using them for your own deck.
Deckorators Decking Issues And Problems
Here is a list of those issues:
- Fading Issues
- Mold and Mildew Growth
- Issues With consistent color matching
- Deck Boards Warping and Distorting
- Issues With Hollow Sounds and Feel
- Issues With Embedded Dirt, Debris, and Stains
- Issues With Excessive Heat Retention
- Issues With Static Electricity Buildup
- Higher Upfront Cost Compared to Wood
- Shorter Labor Warranty Periods
- Can Have Toxic Off-Gassing Issues
- Prone to Developing Black Streaks and Spots
- Prone to Chalky Powder Residue Issues
- Issues With Expansion and Contraction
- Prone to Scratches and Scuffs
- Prone to Damage From Dropped Objects
Let’s talk about those problems in detail.
Fading Issues
One of the most prevalent Deckorators decking complaints involves the fading and discoloration of the boards over time. When new, Deckorators deck boards feature rich, wood-like colors that enhance the beauty of your deck.
However, after exposure to sunlight and other elements, customers report these colors fading, muddying, or otherwise losing their vibrancy.
This fading occurs because the plastic resins in composite decking break down over time when exposed to UV radiation from the sun. The plastic degrades, causing the color pigments to leach out of the boards.
Manufacturers like Deckorators try to stabilize the color using proprietary technologies, but complaints show fading remains a problem.
The rate of fading depends on factors like the amount of sunlight, air pollution in the area, and the original color shade. Darker earth tones like browns and reds tend to fade the fastest.
Deckorators offers a 25-year fade and stain warranty, but you’ll still likely notice visible color change much sooner than that. To limit fading issues, experts recommend:
- Installing boards on a covered porch or under a deck shade structure
- Applying protective sealers to create a UV-blocking barrier
- Choosing lighter color shades like grays that show fading less
- Expecting colors to fade over time and refinishing occasionally
With proper precautions and expectations, Deckorators decking fading issues can be minimized, though not entirely prevented.
Mold and Mildew Growth
Another common complaint involves Deckorators decking developing dark spots, stains, or fungus-like growths across the surface.
This occurs when mold or mildew takes hold in the tiny cracks, grooves, and pores within the composite material.
The main factor enabling microbial growth is moisture. When water or dampness gets trapped in a Deckorators deck, whether from rain, sprinklers, humidity, or other sources, it allows mildew spores floating through the air to take hold.
Once attached, the spores germinate by feeding off the organic matter within the composite boards.
Mildew growth is not only unsightly, but it can also lead to degradation of the decking over time. Some tips to prevent it include:
- Installing the deck with adequate drainage and ventilation
- Keeping the deck surfaces free of damp debris like leaves
- Applying mold inhibitor coatings at time of construction
- Cleaning the deck regularly with composite-friendly cleaners
- Allowing boards to fully dry between water exposures
Catching and removing mildew early is key before it digs too deep or spreads across large areas. For surface-level mildew, most DIY composite deck cleaners containing sodium hypochlorite can lift stains. But severe cases may require hiring a professional restoration service.
Issues With consistent color matching
A frustrating problem noted in many Deckorators decking complaints is trouble with color consistency across different production runs. Though Deckorators offers its decking in set colors, customers find the tones often fail to match perfectly when purchasing additional boards.
This occurs due to natural color variations in the wood fibers and plastic resins used in manufacturing. Achieving an exact color match each time is impossible with composite decking.
Other factors like exposure to sunlight also mean brand new boards may look slightly different than aged ones already installed.
To help avoid noticeable mismatches, Deckorators recommends purchasing all required boards upfront rather than spacing out purchases. Blending boards from multiple boxes during installation also helps disguise variations.
For best results, ask your Deckorators dealer for boards from the same production lot number. Standard color variance across production batches can minimize, but not totally eliminate, consistency issues.
Deck Boards Warping and Distorting
Due to their mixture of plastic, wood fibers, and voids within the extruded profile, many Deckorator customers report problems with the boards warping, cupping, or distorting once installed.
This can create an uneven surface and cause safety tripping hazards from raised edges.
The main triggers for warping and distortion include:
- Hot sun exposure: Direct UV radiation heats the deck unevenly, causing the boards to expand, contract, and bend.
- Improper spacing: Failing to leave adequate gap space between boards or around the edges can prevent normal expansion/contraction.
- Low-quality boards: Variances in manufacturing can lead to boards prone to distortion.
- Improper installation: Failing to properly fasten or support all edges of the board allows movement.
To limit warping and distortion, take steps like:
- Leaving 1/4″ gap between board sides
- Providing generous edge spacing around perimeter
- Installing in cooler weather or under shade
- Selecting the highest-quality boards available
- Fastening boards every 8-12 inches along all edges
With vigilance at installation and allowing room for normal movement, most Deckorator boards can avoid major shape-distorting issues over time. But some warping may still occur.
Issues With Hollow Sounds and Feel
The mix of wood pulp and plastic resins in Deckorators boards leads many customers to complain about a cheaper, more artificial sound and feel underfoot compared to natural wood decks.
When you walk across the deck, you may notice a more hollow, louder clacking noise versus the solid thuds of real timber.
This sound and feel comes from air pockets and voids within the interior of the extruded composite boards. The space is necessary to allow for expansion and contraction, but it creates that echoing “plastic” sensation.
There’s no way to eliminate this issue with composite decking completely. Higher-density boards with less interior space may feel slightly more solid, but hollowness remains.
Installing sound-dampening material during construction or adding deck rugs, furniture, and other elements can help mask the echoes. But ultimately, the hollow feel results directly from the synthetic nature of composite decking.
Those desiring a more natural wood deck sensation may need to explore alternate materials despite the added maintenance.
Issues With Embedded Dirt, Debris, and Stains
While composite decking aims to minimize upkeep compared to real wood, Deckorators customers frequently cite problems with dirt, grime, and other debris becoming lodged within the textured surface. Food, grease, leaves, pollen, and other particles can stick within the small pores and ridges molded into the boards.
Unlike wood decks where such debris rests loosely on the surface, gunk on composites can embed directly into the material where it’s harder to remove. Even with regular cleaning, stains can get “baked in” over time in a way not seen with timber.
There are a few ways to combat debris and stains on Deckorator and other composite decks:
- Use a garden hose with a high-pressure nozzle to force debris from crevices.
- Pretreat stains with a composite cleaner before power washing.
- For tough grime, use a stiff scrub brush and mild solvent.
- Rinse thoroughly with clean water after cleaning.
- Apply a protective deck sealer to create a barrier against new debris.
With proper care, debris accumulation on Deckorators decks can remain minimal. But due to the textured nature of the material, some buildup over time remains inevitable.
Issues With Excessive Heat Retention
Another frequent complaint from Deckorator owners references how hot the deck feels under bare feet during sunny, warm conditions. Without the natural breathing and evaporation of wood, the plastic resins in composite deck boards readily absorb and retain heat from the sun’s rays.
On a hot summer day, surface temperatures on a Deckorator or other composite deck can reach 140°F or more – hot enough to cause skin burns instantly. Those with children or pets may have safety concerns about blistering feet.
There are a few precautions you can take to prevent excessive heat buildup on a composite deck:
- Install under a covered area or shade structure
- Use area rugs at seating/play areas
- Hose down the deck before use on hot days
- Select light color boards that absorb less heat
- Allow good airflow under and around the deck
But ultimately, the synthetic materials involved will continue absorbing and radiating more heat than natural wood. Taking care when walking barefoot on very hot, sunny days remains important.
Issues With Static Electricity Buildup
In colder, drier winter weather, many Deckorator owners report annoying problems with static electricity accumulation on the deck’s surface.
When crossing the boards in socks or plastic/rubber soled shoes, you may feel small zapping sensations from static discharges.
This occurs because the composite material doesn’t conduct static charges away from the surface as well as moisture-absorbent wood.
Friction from foot traffic causes electrons to build up, looking to discharge onto a ground source once you touch the deck. It’s more annoying than harmful, but makes for uncomfortable winter deck use.
A few ways to combat static buildup include:
- Installing a grounding wire system along with the decking
- Wiping with an anti-static solution formulated for composites
- Adding a outdoor deck rug with moisture-absorbent backing
- Using cotton-soled shoes or going barefoot to dissipate charges
But fully eliminating winter static on composite decks remains challenging. Choosing less friction-prone deck board textures may help along with some of the above steps. But the synthetic materials involved simply don’t dissipate charges nearly as well as natural wood.
Higher Upfront Cost Compared to Wood
Despite decreased long-term maintenance, many homeowners considering Deckorators decking still cite higher upfront cost as a disadvantage compared to pressure-treated lumber. Composite deck boards from Deckorators run $3-6+ per square foot depending on type, while common PT decking starts around only $1 per square foot.
Composites require added manufacturing complexity to blend and extrude wood fibers, plastic resins, and color additives into a durable board. This shows up in the initial purchase price.
Added features like textured surfaces, hidden fasteners, and resistance to rot/insects also contribute to higher costs for Deckorators and other composites brands versus basic lumber.
That said, the longevity and low-maintenance benefits of Deckorators can make it a wise investment over decades of use. Weigh the higher initial cost against factors like the patio lifespan, required upkeep, and aesthetics to determine if the added expense makes sense for your specific deck.
If going the composite route, utilizing manufacturer rebates and buying in bulk can help defray some of the initial cost.
Shorter Labor Warranty Periods
While Deckorators offers excellent 25-year staining and fading warranties on their decking materials, customers note that labor coverage to address any issues lasts only 1 to 5 years depending on product.
This results in higher potential costs for buyers should problems arise outside the labor warranty window.
With natural cedar or pressure-treated wood decks, repairs simply involve replacing individual boards. But when composites like Deckorators have bonded installation and hidden fasteners, taking apart and replacing pieces becomes much more labor intensive.
Having to foot this cost due to expired labor warranties surprises some homeowners.
When purchasing Deckorators or similar composite decking, understand all warranty fine print. Opting for products with the longest labor coverage periods can minimize expense risks down the road.
Also budgeting in advance for any repairs once the labor warranty expires allows proper financial planning.
Can Have Toxic Off-Gassing Issues
A controversial issue with some Deckorators products and other PVC decking containing vinyl involves potential health issues from chemical off gassing. As PVC decks age, heat, and chemicals in the material can breakdown, releasing VOCs and other compounds that may pose health risks.
According to testing by environmental groups like Healthy Building Network, chemicals detected off-gassing from certain Deckorator products include:
- Benzene: Carcinogen and neurotoxin
- Formaldehyde: Probable carcinogen
- Styrene: Possible carcinogen and neurotoxin
Children and pets spending considerable time around aging PVC decking may face the greatest risks from off-gassing effects. These concerns remain controversial and research limited. Always review the exact decking composition to weigh potential exposure risks before purchase and installation. Some Deckorator lines utilize polyethylene and other materials less associated with off-gassing issues.
Prone to Developing Black Streaks and Spots
An annoying problem reported by some Deckorators owners involves black streaks, splotches, dots, and patches emerging on some boards over time.
This discoloration appears across the surface, marring the look of the deck.
The black spots seem resistant to power washing or other cleaning attempts.
The exact cause isn’t always certain, but a few potential reasons for black staining include:
- Airborne dust and dirt accumulating then burning onto the deck surface when heated from sunlight.
- Organic matter like such as pollen and dead leaves decomposing directly on the deck.
- Chemical reactions between deck cleaners and the composite material.
- Leaching of the black color pigments within the composite boards.
Whatever the cause, black staining remains difficult to remove or avoid entirely on Deckorators and other composites once it develops. Spot cleaning with a bleach-based composite cleaner may lighten stains, but likely won’t eliminate entirely.
Avoiding buildup of debris on the deck minimizes the problem, but some gradual black staining seems unavoidable.
Prone to Chalky Powder Residue Issues
Another vexing Deckorators decking complaint involves a white, powdery “chalk” residue that can develop on the deck’s surface over time. When you run your hand across affected boards, you’ll notice a chalky feeling similar to powdered calcium deposits.
This happens when the composite material gradually breaks down from sun, moisture, heat, and other environmental exposure. The chalky substance comes from degradation of the mineral stabilizers added to protect the color pigments within the decking.
Too much of this chalky buildup creates an unattractive look and makes the deck feel unclean. Rinsing with a garden hose can temporarily wash away residue, but it will slowly return over time.
Using a deck restoration cleaner containing oxalic or phosphoric acid minimizes chalking by removing degraded material and stabilizing/protecting the remaining composite. But reinstating the original just-installed look remains difficult. Chalking seems inherent to most composites as the components deteriorate.
Issues With Expansion and Contraction
Despite containing plastic resins, Deckorators decking still expands and contracts at different rates than natural wood due to temperature changes. This can result in slight board expansion on hot days and contraction in cold weather if adequate spacing wasn’t allowed during installation.
Repeated expansion and contraction cycles over the years can cause buckling, gaps between boards to open up, fastener heads popping up, and other issues. The lighter color tones of many Deckorator boards also exacerbate heat-related expansion.
Proper construction and care limits most expansion and contraction issues with Deckorators decking:
- Leave 1/4″ spacing between board sides
- Allow 1/2″ spacing where boards meet walls/structures
- Alternate direction of grain between adjoining boards
- Use hidden fasteners to allow movement
- Pre-drill holes for screws near board ends
- Apply edging/trim properly to contain boards but allow slight shifts
With adequate allowance for movement, Deckorators boards can maintain stability through heating/cooling cycles. But some slight distortion over many years remains likely. Periodic inspection and re-securing of fasteners helps maintain optimal integrity.
Prone to Scratches and Scuffs
While more scratch-resistant than real wood, Deckorators and other composite boards still prone to showing scrapes, scuffs, and scratches from heavy use and abrasive objects. Lawn furniture, debris, pets, and foot traffic can all leave visible marks on the surface over time.
The textured wood grain patterns molded into Deckorators decking also makes scratches stand out prominently. They disrupt the pattern and attract the eye. Without a real grain to hide flaws, any blemishes readily telegraph through the composite material.
You can reduce visible scratches by:
- Installing boards smooth side up without textures
- Using furniture pads underneath legs
- Sweeping away debris like sticks regularly
- Wiping up spills quickly to avoid stains
- Refinishing flaws every few years
But all composite decks show wear with enough use. Touching up scratches when they first appear makes them far less noticeable. But preventing scratches on Deckorators isn’t entirely possible with normal outdoor use.
Prone to Damage From Dropped Objects
Another downside to Deckorators cited by homeowners is the tendency for dropped objects like tools or cookware to cause serious dents, gouges and fractures in the decking. The brittleness of the composite makes it prone to harm from high-impact items.
While wood planks also dent, the fibers tend to “heal” back into position over time as moisture causes the wood to swell/shrink. Composites lack this flexibility. Once a heavy object strikes and fractures the Deckorator surface, the damage remains unless you fully replace that section of board.
Avoiding marring from drops and impacts requires taking special care on composite decks:
- Refrain from setting down heavy pots/tools on the deck unless on padding
- Add thick doormats by exits where items may fall frequently
- Place cushioning in high-traffic play areas
- Keep furniture feet protected with felt pads
- Exercise care when moving grills, planters, and other heavy items
With vigilance, most dents and fractures can be prevented on Deckorators decking. But accidents do happen, so remain aware of the material’s susceptibility to permanent damage from dropped objects.
Closing Remarks
In conclusion, Deckorators composite decking aims to provide the aesthetic appeal of wood without the constant maintenance. However, numerous Deckorators decking complaints reveal significant downsides to these synthetic boards as well. Issues like fading, mold growth, hollow sounds, and material breakdown cannot be avoided entirely.
With realistic expectations about its limitations, you can minimize issues with Deckorators decking and weigh whether the benefits offset the disadvantages for your particular outdoor space. Proper installation, care, and maintenance are key to maximizing longevity.
But composites like Deckorators will never fully replicate natural wood decking in either strengths or flaws. Keep both advantages and drawbacks in mind when choosing materials to find the best fit.