Gomposite decking Whatts new, what's next

l/--lolteosnEs REFUSE To sIT euIETLv as high-perfonnance \-rcellular PVC products bite into their share of the alternative decking market. This winter, composite decking manufacturers are adding new products and tweaking existing ones to better compete.

AERT (Advanced Environmental Recycling Technologies) recently rolled out a fire-rated version of its composite decking. MoistureShield FR has been approved by the California Department of Forestry & Fire Protection and is listed as an approved product in the recently published Wildland-Urban Interface Products Handbook.

"For builders and homeowners in parts of the country where wild-fire season is a real threat and building codes require fire-rated materials, we saw a need for an attractive, eco-friendly and fire-resistant decking product that can meet code," says Brent Gwatney, v.p. of sales and marketing for MoistureShield. "The introduction of firerated products, a growing number of color options and accessories, a solid reversible profile, and grooved boards for hidden fastening systems, are all trends we're seeing in the composite decking market and ones that we've specifically developed products for."

FibefOn has improved its Deck Pilot hidden fastener, to improve performance and reduce installation time. The redesigned fastener is injection-molded with 30Va glass-filled nylon, making it sturdier, and double-sided to reduce installation time. Other features include:

. new 3/16" replaceable steel pins for accurate spacing and quicker installation; o tough, hardened bushings made from hexstock steel, making it impossible to spin: arched base to keep tool flat, and adaptability-the tool can be cut in half without losing its strength to make two short tools for restricted areas and special patterns.

GeoDeCk producer Green Bay Decking has expanded the color options for its composite decking to include walnut, a deep, rich shade of brown.

"Our new walnut color is something we've produced for years on a custom basis," shares president Lanny Jass. "As consumer preferences have changed in the past two years, we decided to make it part of our standard product line. Our manufacturing process allows us to produce short runs of different colors very efficiently, so we plan to continue to offer new colors to the market-either as part of our product line or as a custom color to specific customers. Our patented material formulation also provides us with confidence that all of the colors we produce will have the same superior color retention."

TimberTeCh is attacking the price differential. The company just launched ReliaBoard, described as "one of the most economical composite decking boards on the market." Yet the product is also said to offer all the same benefits of TimberTech's other decking products, including a full 5.4" wide plank surface, great looks, and a transferable 25-year limited residential warranty.

"ReliaBoard is a great alternative to wood for valueconscious homeowners," says Carey Walley, director of marketing of TimberTech. "Money and time spent each year painting, staining or sealing can become a one-time investment in low-maintenance decking for a great price. This new product positions TimberTech as a onestop-shop for customers looking for anything from traditional composite decking to ultra-low maintenance PVC decking, with best-in-class railing and lighting to match-a complete solution from one manufacturer."

TfeX is rolling out a raft of products, including new board profiles and hidden fasteners that are compatible even with competitors' boards.

"Contractors indicated that the industry needed a universal fastening system," says Adam Zambanini, senior product manager of decking. "The Universal Hidden Fastener can be used with both Trex and competitor decking. Now contractors need only to purchase one fastener system for all of their jobs, increasing efficiency and reducing costs."

In addition, all Trex decking will now measure l" wide, providing greater design flexibility to mix and match all lines, making all lines compatible with the Universal Hidden Fastener, and increasing convenience and efficiency for distributors and dealers.

Trex, too, will be the first decking manufacturer to offer reduced-size product bundles-transitioning from a bundle size of 96 pieces per unit to 48 pieces per unit, increasing turns. Distributors will benefit from efficiencies in material handling and reduced in-transit material handling damage, while dealers will be able to stock more product without increasing their inventory position.

"We believe the reduced packs will provide greater bundling opportunities for our distributors and dealers, allowing them to move more product in less time while increasing productivity and profitability," notes Adam

Zambanini, senior product manager of decking.

The Contours line is also converting to a square-edged profile and a grooved edge profile, as opposed to its former scalloped underside. The updated boards currently are available at both Trex manufacturing plants, in Winchester, Va., and Fernley, Nv.

And, a new, higher-performance decking and railing system begins shipping this month, expressly designed to compete with PVC. Trex Transcend combines a finish that resists stains, scratches and mold with a natural-looking wood grain pattern. Its protective shell defends against fading, while being extremely low maintenance. Spills wash off easily with soap and water.

President and c.e.o. Ron Kaplan calls the new line "a game-changing product that quite simply exceeds all other materials currently in the marketplace. Since inventing the concept of durable and low-maintenance outdoor living products nearly 20 years ago, we've consistently introduced design and manufacturing innovations that have secured Trex's position as the prefened brand among both consumers and professionals. With Transcend, we're combining all of the benefits of our existing collections with proprietary new technologies that offer unparalleled durability, wear-resistance and long-lasting good looks."

By Diana Hanson