Deckorators vs Trex: Which Composite Deck is Right for You?

Do you want to know the detailed information on deckorators vs trex? If yes, then you are in the right place.

You surely have heard about composite decking which came into being at the end of the 1980s and has revolutionized a lot in all these years.

It is made of wood and plastic so it is more slip-resistant and moisture-resistant and doesn’t need to do a lot of maintenance.

Deckorators and trex are the two notable companies that have been producing or manufacturing composite decks for a long time. The question that grabbed our attention is which one is better?

Let’s talk about this in a detailed guide to get a clear idea.

Deckorators vs Trex: History of Both Deckings

History of Trex

If we look at the history of trex, we will get a better idea of why trex is one of the best Composite decks you should consider for future projects.

One of the first trex deck boards came into being in 1996 and since then, four lines have been manufactured with numerous color options.

One of the best steps that made them big in the market is playing a huge role in the recycling world. The plastic used in the composite can be recycled once the lifespan is over.

One of the many reasons why you go for trex composite decking is their low maintenance and long life. They can last for almost 25 years without any damage.

History of Deckorators

It came into being in St. Louis, Missouri in 1998. At that time instead of manufacturing composite decking, they used to make an aluminum railing for decks of low maintenance.

In 2005, UFPI which had its own composite decking line under the name latitudes acquired deckorators.

Their ultimate goal is to provide the clients with a deck that they can customize according to their requirements. They fully satisfy their customers by introducing quality designs of decks.

Hence, if you want to customize your own designs, this company will fully cooperate with you.

In 2016, the biggest change occurred when deckorators replaced organic fibers with mineral-based decking. Now, you get a clear idea of the history. Let’s move ahead and talk about which one is better.

Buyer’s Guide: Choosing Right Decking Materials

There are some factors that you should always keep in mind before buying the decking material between deckorators vs trex. The factors include:

Take proper Measurements

Before buying the material, you should take proper linear foot and square-foot measurements.

The square foot measurement is for budgeting and planning while the linear measurements are to depict how much material you want.

Decided Installation Place

Before buying the material it is important to know where you will install the deck.

The second story deck or elevated decks require different material types and if you want to install the deck on the ground, it needs a different type of material. Hence, keep this factor in mind.

Type of Installation

Whatever type of installation you choose you always need some additional tools and equipment. You should be well-informed about the entire frame and everything required in this process.

I would suggest you go for a professional who can install the deck in a proper way. If you want to do it as a DIY project, you should have all the required equipment.

Construction of Board

It also depends that which board you will choose for your project be it trex deck boards or deckorators boards.

Various types of the board include scalloped, flat, grooved, hollow, etc. While selecting the board type, keep the requirements in mind and it will be easy for you to decide.

Warranty and Price

It is better to set a budget before opting for this project. Once the budget is decided you will be able to work according to it.

If you choose composite decking, it will have the least possible cost because of zero maintenance, low level of cleaning, etc.

However, you should make a budget for the initial cost including installation fee, material and accessories cost, etc.

Deckorators vs Trex: In-Depth Comparison

By discussing each factor in detail. it will be easy for us to decide on which side we should proceed with. The factors include:

1. Materials and Capping

The material used in both deckings and the capping depicts the major difference.

In trex, 95% recycled material is used while the decking of both trex and deckorators has been capped at 3 sides among which one is at the top and the other two on the visible sides.

Trex Decking Line, Color, and Profile

The Trex decking line includes:

Transcend: It is available in 8 different colors and has a solid profile.
Select: You get 5 different color options in Select while the profile is solid
Enhance Natural: It contains 4 different color options with a Scalloped profile.
Enhance Basics: It contains 3 different colors with a scalloped profile.

Transcend has distinct grains and coloring and looks more like wood. It is also the most durable one and is completely resistant to scratches and damage.

The enhance basic has a basic wood pattern and is quite budget-friendly.

Deckorators (WBC) Decking Line, Color, and Profile

The deckorators decking line includes:

Vista: It comprises 4 different color options with a solid profile.
Trailhead: It has 3 different colors available and contains a scalloped profile.
Tropic: It contains 2 different colors with a scalloped profile.
Distress: With a single color option, it has a scalloped profile.

Talking about vista and trailhead, have a simple wood pattern while containing contrasting colors.

The appearance of both lines is somehow identical. As far as the tropic is concerned, they have a cathedral wood grain pattern. Distress has embossed tool marks that are far from the paint color.

The overall appearance of deckorators is not extraordinary as it is quite simple. Now let’s talk about the deckorators decking line of mineral based composite.

Deckorators (MBC) Decking Line, Color, and Profile

The lines it contains are as follows:

Voyage: It gives you 5 different color options while the profile is completely solid.
Vault: It has 2 different color options with a solid profile.
Frontier: This decking line also comprises 2 different colors with a solid profile.
Picture Frame: It comprises only a single color option with a solid profile.

The most exciting feature of voyage is its texture. There is a huge depth in the colors of voyage because of the straight-line texture.

The vault decking line is composed of flat grain variegation while frontier has a traditional look. Hence, which decking line is perfect for you depends on your requirement.

2. Durability

Now you are well aware of the materials and decking line of both companies, let’s talk about which one is more durable.

The reason why we install decks is not only to enhance the aesthetics but they should also be durable so that we can freely walk over them without worrying about the cracks and scratches.

On decking, you place various furniture including chairs and tables that need to be dragged now and then so it should be durable enough to hold every foot traffic, kids crawling and pets rubbing, etc.

Fortunately, both are durable enough to hold different types of accidents. Let’s do a comparison in terms of durability below:

Staining

So which one holds the stains without making the surface damaged? The answer is both however ensure to wipe off the stain as soon as possible so that it doesn’t become permanent.

If you quickly remove the stain, the things will be in your control.

Hardness

The hardness level of deckorators (MBC) is 3.1 know while the hardness level of deckorators (WPC) is 10kn. On the other hand, trex has a hardness level of 3.8 kn. Talking about the most durable one, trex transcend tops the chart. It resists scratches occurring with chair or table dragging.

Breakability

Deckorators (MBC) can easily manage a lot of weight and is not easily breakable as compared to trex.

Whether you have added a chair and table or a lot of foot traffic is there, it is resistant to any damage or breakage.

3. Workability

If we compare both composite lines in terms of workability, there is a little difference that you should understand.

Deckorators mineral-based becomes challenging to work with because they are a little tough to cut down. The working is not impossible but a bit challenging.

However, if you use a blade that contains fewer teeth and instead of using a finishing blade, go for a framing blade then it will be easy for you. Trex is a DIY project so do not worry about the installation.

It is easy to install and doesn’t need any professional for this purpose. Moreover, cutting is also easy without any challenging work.

In order to save the installation cost, choosing trex wouldn’t be wrong.

4. Contraction and Expansion

One of the toughest challenges you have to face while designing decking is to fill up the gaps so that no contraction it expansion occurs with climate change.

There should be enough gap so that the decking boards won’t expand when exposed to the sun. So here the actual debate occurs that which design is best to work with?

Deckorators mineral-based composite is the most significant game-changer when we talk about expansion as they are better to deal with as compared to other ones.

They won’t get expanded or contracted when exposed to the sun. Hence, you can easily consider them for this purpose.

5. Pricing Comparison

The price keeps on changing as it varies from region to region. Moreover, the price fluctuates every season so we can not estimate the exact price.

However, we can tell you an approximate price in order to get an idea of which one is the most cost-effective. Let’s have a look at the figures mentioned below:

Deckorators Lineal Price

Voyage [MBC]: The lineal price is estimated to be $5.50.
Vault [MBC]: The lineal price is said to be $5.00.
Frontier [MBC]: The lineal price is $4.60.
Vista: Talking about Vista’s price, it is $4.50.
Trailhead: The price would be $2.50
Tropics/Distress: The price is $2.25

Trex Lineal Price

Transcend: The lineal price of Transcend is $4.70.
Select: The lineal price is $2.90
Enhance Natural: The price is said to be the same as of Select i.e $2.90
Enhance Basics: Its price is $1.83

If we compare both, trex is the most cost-effective as compared to the other one. The enhance basics has the lowest price and would be an ideal choice.

However, deckorators mineral-based has its own class so it wouldn’t be wrong to choose. If you want a decking line that is light to your pocket, choose trex.

6. Deckorators vs Trex Traction

Here the question arises that how much safe your deck is from slipping. Your deck is constantly exposed to rain and sun so you have to make sure whether they are safe to walk on or not?

Trex Vs Deckorators Traction

Trex Transcend: It is 0.43-0.52 slip-resistant when exposed to sun and 0.32-0.39 when exposed to water.
Deckorators (WPC): It is 0.5+ slip-resistant when exposed to sun and 0.46-0.48 slip-resistant when exposed to water.
Deckorators (MBC): It is 0.73-0.74 slip-resistant in sun and 0.66-0.69 slip-resitant in wet.

From these figures, you can get a clear idea that which one is safe in water and sun and which one needs to be worked out in order to make it safe for your kids and pets.

7. Warranty Period

Warranty is another important factor that you should always consider before installing any deck.

Fortunately, both decking lines have the same warranty for the first 25 years so you can enjoy as much benefit as you can.

Talking about the structural warranty of all 3 decking lines, trex has 10-years of warranty while deckorators (WPC) has 5 years of warranty.

However, deckorators (MPC) tops the chart by offering 50 years of structural warranty.

Deckorators vs Trex – Which is Better for You?

Let’s talk about the real question which one is better or which one you should use as your future project?

Decking is not something that you do now and then. It should be durable enough that it lasts for a maximum of years.

If we do a comparison of durability, trex is harder while deckorators are a bit strong. It has only a slight difference but both ensure strength.

There is not a major difference when it comes to prices. The basic line of trex is a bit cost-effective but you will get limited color options in that line.

Hence, it will be hard for anyone to decide which one is better.

Now talking about deckorators mineral-based composite, it is in its own league. From performance to durability to quality, everything is top-notch for which you also have to pay.

The lifespan of mineral-based composite lines is twice that simple composite and it is inevitably above everything if you are willing to pay a heavy amount, go for it without thinking twice.

FAQs – Frequently Asked Questions

Let’s have a look at a few frequently asked questions regarding trex decking reviews and deckorators decking to make it more easy for you to decide. Here we go.

Is There Anything Better Than Trex?

Trex is said to be the most durable decking in the market that has been manufacturing decking for a long time and has made a solid place in the market.

They are cost-effective, durable stronger and whatnot. You might find various other decking lines but trex is worth considering.

Who Makes Deckorators Deck Boards?

Deckorators boards have been manufactured by UFP Ventures II, Inc who acquired this decking line in 2005.

Are Deckorators Railings Good?

They are an excellent choice to opt for. They are durable, cheaper, available in different color options, and make decking look splendid.

Hence, if you have been planning to install a new decking line outdoors, it is highly recommendable.

Where Are Deckorators Made?

They are made in the USA as the headquarters of UFPI is in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Who Makes the Best Composite Decking Material?

There are many brands who are good in this work but trex and deckorators top the chart. They have been dealing in this field for quite some time and have become masters.

Hence, whenever you plan to buy decking material in the future, you can also think about these two options.

Conclusion

Choosing any one product among the best options is not an easy task.

If you have also been looking for deckorators vs trex in order to know which one you should choose, it is better to go for the one that fulfills all your requirement.

I have tried my best to come up with a piece of detailed information on all three decking lines along with their pros and cons.

If you are willing to spend some additional amount then I would suggest you go for deckorators mineral-based composite because it carries every possible feature one requires.

After this, you can also consider trex which is also durable and available in numerous color options.

I hope this article will help you decide which one is better for you. Take notes and choose according to your requirement and the one that better suits you.