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Deckorators Decking Lines Compared

Deckorators offers four distinct decking lines—Venture, Vista, Voyage, and Vault—each with unique characteristics tailored to different needs, budgets, and aesthetics. Here’s a comparison based on their materials, performance, design, and intended use:

Materials

  • Venture and Vista: Both are traditional wood-plastic composite (WPC) decking, made from a blend of wood fibers and plastic (typically polyethylene). Venture uses 95% recycled plastic with a dense composite core, while Vista is similarly constructed but capped on three sides for added moisture protection. These are classic composites, balancing affordability with durability.
  • Voyage and Vault: These are mineral-based composite (MBC) decking lines, utilizing Deckorators’ patented Surestone® Technology. Instead of wood fibers, they combine polypropylene and calcium carbonate, extruded to create a lightweight, fiber-like structure with no organic content. Both are fully capped (four sides) with a durable polyethylene layer, enhancing resistance to moisture and wear.

Performance

  • Heat Retention: Venture and Vista, as WPC, can get hot in direct sunlight, especially in darker colors, similar to most traditional composites—potentially reaching 120-130°F (49-54°C) or more. Voyage and Vault, being MBC, are designed to hold less heat. While Deckorators doesn’t quantify the exact difference, the lack of wood and advanced capping suggests they stay cooler, aligning with industry trends where MBC and PVC decking often outperform WPC in heat dissipation.
  • Thermal Expansion: Venture and Vista exhibit typical WPC thermal expansion and contraction (e.g., 5/16” to 1/8” end gapping required, depending on temperature), which can affect long-term stability. Voyage and Vault, thanks to Surestone® Technology, have “virtually no thermal expansion or contraction,” requiring minimal gapping (1/16” to 1/8”), making them more dimensionally stable.
  • Durability: All four lines are low-maintenance and resist rot, mold, and splintering. Venture and Vista carry a 25-year structural and stain/fade warranty, while Voyage and Vault step up to a 50-year structural warranty (25-year stain/fade), reflecting the MBC’s superior strength-to-weight ratio and moisture resistance. Voyage and Vault are also warranted for ground or water contact (e.g., docks or pool decks), unlike Venture and Vista.
  • Traction: Voyage stands out with 34% better slip resistance than competitors (per AS/NXS 4586-2013 wet testing), due to its vertical grain texture. Vault offers good traction with its flat-grain pattern, though not as pronounced. Venture and Vista have decent traction but lack the enhanced slip resistance of the MBC lines.

Design

  • Aesthetics:
    • Venture: Features a natural wood-grain finish in two modern colors (Saltwater and Sandbar), aiming for a clean, minimalist look.
    • Vista: Mimics exotic hardwoods with richer, variegated colors (e.g., Driftwood, Ironwood), offering a tropical vibe and vertical grain texture.
    • Voyage: Boasts six streaked, vertical-grain colors (e.g., Sierra, Tundra) and multiple widths (3.5” to 11.25”) for a custom, wood-floor look.
    • Vault: Has a subtler cathedral-grain pattern in two colors (Mesquite, Dusk), focusing on a traditional yet variegated wood aesthetic.
  • Finish: Venture and Vista are capped on three sides, leaving the bottom exposed, while Voyage and Vault’s four-sided capping provides a more polished, consistent appearance, especially where undersides are visible.

Intended Use and Cost

  • Venture – $: The value-oriented WPC option, best for budget-conscious projects where basic durability and style suffice. It’s ideal for standard decks not exposed to extreme moisture or ground contact.
  • Vista – $$: A step up in aesthetics and protection, suited for homeowners wanting a premium hardwood look without the MBC price tag. Like Venture, it’s not designed for water-intensive settings.
  • Vault – $$$: A cost-effective MBC alternative to Voyage, balancing performance with a simpler aesthetic. It’s also suited for ground or water contact, making it a practical choice for rugged or wet environments.
  • Voyage – $$$$: The top-tier MBC line, perfect for high-performance needs—think poolside decks, docks, or areas needing max traction and stability. It’s pricier but offers unmatched versatility and longevity.

Summary

  • Venture vs. Vista: Venture is the economical, no-frills WPC choice; Vista adds flair with exotic wood vibes and slightly better moisture protection. Both are solid for standard decks but lack the advanced features of MBC.
  • Voyage vs. Vault: Voyage is the premium MBC with superior traction, design flexibility, and heat resistance; Vault delivers similar durability and stability at a lower cost with a more restrained look.
  • Venture/Vista vs. Voyage/Vault: The WPC lines (Venture, Vista) are affordable and stylish but hotter and less stable than the MBC lines (Voyage, Vault), which excel in heat management, durability, and extreme conditions.

If budget and basic function are key, Venture or Vista work well. For premium performance, cooler surfaces, and longevity—especially near water—Voyage or Vault are the way to go, with Voyage edging out for style and traction.