Unlocking the Vault

Posted 23 March 2016 2:34 PM by Jase DeBoer

New Deckorators^® Vault composite decking is a giant leap forward in wood-alternative decking. Find out what makes Vault so extraordinary — and what it can do for your deck-building business — in our Vault FAQ for contractors.

What makes Deckorators Vault decking “a giant leap forward”?
Made with patented mineral-based composite technology, Deckorators Vault composite decking delivers the industry’s best strength-to-weight ratio, and unmatched stability. In technical terms, it has the best stiffness-to-weight ratio and lowest thermal expansion/contraction of any thermoplastic deck board currently available.

It’s what’s inside Vault that makes it extraordinary. Mineral-based composite technology creates a lightweight composite that looks and works like wood, but is stronger and more stable than anything on the wood-alternative decking market today. The mineral-based composite process forms a deck board that has similar weight properties to PVC. However, unlike some PVCs and composites, Vault won’t sag, crack or chalk. And, because it has no organic content, Vault is unaffected by sun, water and microbes when properly stabilized.

What is Deckorators Vault made of?
Deckorators Vault is made with patented mineral-based composite (MBC) technology, which is used instead of wood fiber to prevent moisture absorption and minimize thermal expansion. In the mineral-based composite process, the polymer-mineral blend is extruded and stretched. The resulting cavitation creates tiny air pockets that keep the Vault board lightweight as it takes on a fiber-like structure similar to wood for superior strength.

Vault boards are then capped with polypropylene to create a durable surface that’s stain-, fade- and scratch-resistant. See what makes Deckorators mineral-based composite decking the best on the market in this Video. 

Has mineral-based technology been proven?
Yes. Mineral-based composite technology has been in existence for nearly a decade. In 2012, it was successfully commercialized in industrial OEM applications by Universal Forest Products affiliate mineral-based composite, LLC.

We introduced Deckorators Vault decking, with mineral-based composite technology, after a rigorous two-year test deck program in harsh climates across the U.S. In all applications, the decking met or exceeded performance expectations, making it possible to roll out the technology nationally under the Deckorators brand.

What are the unique advantages of Vault for deck builders?
Simply put, Deckorators Vault improves the experience of installing a premium, beautiful deck. Vault cuts, drills, shapes and fastens as easily as wood due to its fibrous structure. Yet a Vault board — 7/8 inch thick by 5 ½ inches wide — weighs just 1.6 pounds per linear foot. That’s 35 percent lighter than most wood-plastic composite decking and similar in weight to PVC, making Vault easy to handle on the job site.

Vault is also twice as strong as PVC in terms of stiffness-to-weight ratio. It’s designed to be virtually unbreakable to withstand the rigors of deck building. Deckorators Vault contains no organic material, helping keep thermal expansion to a minimum. In fact, during tests with 100-degree temperature swings, there was a 4/10-inch difference in the expansion lengthwise over a 20-foot deck board when compared to PVC decking.

What are the key benefits of Deckorators Vault for homeowners?
Deckorators Vault decking offers consumers a premium, beautiful look and unmatched performance over time.

Vault is available in two popular colors, Mesquite (brown) and Dusk (gray); fascia comes in Dusk, Mesquite and white. The product’s polypropylene cap delivers a natural-looking finish with a minimal sheen in contrast to competitive decking capped with polyethylene. Vault is available in 12-, 16- and 20-foot slotted-edge boards and solid-edge boards for use on stairs or to picture frame a deck. Beyond attractive aesthetics, Vault delivers long-lasting performance through mineral-based composite technology, and comes with peace of mind from our 25-year structural, 25-year stain-and-fade and 25-year removal-and-replacement warranty.

Finally, Deckorators Vault is an ultra-low maintenance product. Periodic cleaning with soap and water is all Vault really needs to keep it looking beautiful for years to come.

What are the terms of the Deckorators Vault warranty?
Deckorators wants deck builders to be confident endorsing Deckorators Vault, so we back it with our 25-year structural, 25-year stain-and-fade and 25-year removal-and-replacement warranty. The Deckorators removal-and-replacement warranty is the first of its kind. We believe in Vault so strongly that we’ll pay to have the deck removed and replaced if it fails due to a manufacturing issue.

Where can I get pricing information on Deckorators Vault decking?
Visit our Where to Buy page to locate your nearest Deckorators dealer.