People ask us all the time: “Why Deckorators? Why not Trex or TimberTech?” Fair question. There are a lot of decking brands. Here is the honest answer for why RC Deck Co chose to build with Deckorators as our primary composite — and why we became a Deckorators Certified Pro.
Mineral-Based Composite Is Actually Different
Most composite decking is wood-plastic composite — sawdust mixed with recycled plastic. Deckorators’ premium lines (Voyage, Vista, Trailhead) use mineral-based composite instead. Mineral fibers do not absorb water the way wood fibers do, which translates to less swelling, less mold, and a board that stays dimensionally stable in Pennsylvania’s freeze-thaw cycle.
Cooler Underfoot in Summer
One of the legitimate complaints about composite decking is that it can get hot in direct sun. Deckorators publishes third-party testing showing their mineral-based boards run noticeably cooler than competitors. On a Main Line backyard in July, that difference is real — especially around a pool deck where bare feet matter.
The Lifetime Limited + 50-Year Stain & Fade Warranty
Deckorators backs Voyage with a lifetime structural warranty and a 50-year stain and fade warranty. As a Certified Pro, we install per Deckorators’ published specs, which means your warranty actually holds up if you ever need to file a claim.
What “Certified Pro” Actually Means
Becoming a Deckorators Certified Pro is not a sticker you buy. We went through the manufacturer’s training program on framing requirements, board spacing, fastener selection, and edge finishing. That training is why your deck does not show fastener dimples after a year, why the picture-frame border lays perfectly flat, and why the warranty is honored without arguments.
What We Use Deckorators For
Deckorators is our primary composite for the deck floor itself. For railings we typically use Deckorators ALX aluminum or Contemporary cable. For PVC applications — pool decks, full-shade decks, and clients who specifically want zero composite — we switch to Evalast PVC as our second certified line.
The Bottom Line
Deckorators is not the cheapest composite on the market and we will not pretend otherwise. But for a deck that is going to be on your house for 25–30 years, the difference between a budget composite and a premium mineral-based board shows up around year 5 — and it shows up every year after that.
Want to see Deckorators samples in your own backyard light? Call (610) 246-0546 or request a free estimate. We bring the samples to you.