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Protect your deck or patio from the heat of a fire pit.
MoistureShield Composite Decking
Above: Graphic from the MoistureShield web site does a good job of highlighting "The Solid Core Difference™" and "the only wood composite deck board that can be installed in the ground, on the ground and underwater."
The photos on this page are courtesy of the MoistureShield web site.
Above:
MoistureShield Vision®
capped wood composite. This is the top of the line for Moistureshield and it is the highest price. Setting it apart form the other capped versions, Vision has DiamondDefense™ coating "to exude distinctive style while resisting scratches, stains, and damage on impact." The "Solid Core" composite formula, according to the web site is an "impermeable barrier" to moisture. The Vision line is available in six different colors, including warm colors from the very dark "Spanish Leather" to the light tan "Mochaccino" and one darkish gray color called "Somkey Gray." The wood grain texture is visibly different from that of other brands being broader and deeper as is apparent in the above photo.
Above:
MoistureShield Meridian™
capped wood composite has the same solid core as as Vision and the other lines, but has a much different look with a lower profile and more wood-like texture, and multi-tonal coloring. Shown above is the solid edge or square edge profile, which means it is not grooved for hidden fasteners. All four lines of MoistureShield have both grooved and square edge profiles. You need the square edge for the outside deck board so the groove is not exposed at the end of your deck. Meridian is available four appealing colors that you really have to see on the web site because their names provide no clue about the color. Meridian has a 40-year fade and stain warranty.
Above:
MoistureShield Elevate™
capped wood composite has the same solid core and deeply embossed surface as well as a protective cap layer as the Vision series. Being deeply scalloped, it has less content and is therefore the lowest priced MoistureShield decking… their budget-level product. It is available in four colors, two warm browns, and two cool grays. Elevate comes with a 30-year fade and stain warranty.
Above:
MoistureShield Vantage™
wood composite. This may be the only composite decking board on the market that is not capped. It has the same deeply embossed grain pattern as the the Visioni® line, but the surface is less smooth… no sheen. And there is no variation in the color. What it does have is the same solid core as the others. It seems an indicator that the company has so much confidence in the impermeability of its core composite that capping is unnecessary. Vantage is available in five colors including Cape Cod Gray, three warm brown colors, and a reddish mahogany color. The uncapped Vantage series is priced higher than Elevate and lower than the Vision and Meridian series.
Advanced Environmental Recycling Technologies of Springdale, Arizona is the company that makes two composite decking brands that are marketed separately: Moistureshield® and ChoiceDek®. MoistureShield is sold through lumber yards and building suppliers. ChoiceDek® is sold exclusively through Lowes.
Looking at the MoistureShield web site reminds us of the dual mission of the companies producing products that are alternatives to traditional lumber. One objective is to provide homeowners and builders with decking materials that last longer with less maintenance and look better, especially over time. The other objective is to develop ways to live our lives and build homes that are less destructive of the environment. Part of that is cutting down fewer trees. Part of it is making good use of plastics as well as wood by-products and waste wood that would otherwise end up in landfills. Still another part of the equation is the manufacturing process. How these companies accomplish greener manufacturing is not as clearly spelled out, but most of the companies do address this issue.
Photos on this page are from the MoistureShield web site:
Looking at the MoistureShield web site reminds us of the dual mission of the companies producing products that are alternatives to traditional lumber. One objective is to provide homeowners and builders with decking materials that last longer with less maintenance and look better, especially over time. The other objective is to develop ways to live our lives and build homes that are less destructive of the environment. Part of that is cutting down fewer trees. Part of it is making good use of plastics as well as wood by-products and waste wood that would otherwise end up in landfills. Still another part of the equation is the manufacturing process. How these companies accomplish greener manufacturing is not as clearly spelled out, but most of the companies do address this issue.
Photos on this page are from the MoistureShield web site:
Composite decking has two components: 1) the organic component, typically wood and 2) the plastic component, typically high density polyethylene (HDPE) from plastic bags and bottles. The AERT web site states that MoistureShield made up of 25% post-consumer recycled content and 70% pre-consumer content for a total of 95% recycled content. The wood component is 100% recycled, much of discarded pallets and construction debris.
The company states that "the energy saved from plastic and wood recycled annually by A.E.R.T. Inc. is comparable to taking 45,000 vehicles off the road." We don't know how this is calculated, but it does seem that this company, along with its direct competitors are generally on the right side of history.
The company states that "the energy saved from plastic and wood recycled annually by A.E.R.T. Inc. is comparable to taking 45,000 vehicles off the road." We don't know how this is calculated, but it does seem that this company, along with its direct competitors are generally on the right side of history.
Can you use a Fire Pit on a MoistureShield Deck?
No composite or PVC decking is safe under the radiant heat of a fire pit, especially a wood-burning fire pit. While we did not test MoistureShield samples under a hot fire pit, it is save to assume that this composite would also have sustained serious damage. Read More.
The MoistureShield web site is: https://www.moistureshield.com
