Fiberon Decking Review and Cost 2023

Fiberon is one of the newer companies in the composite decking work, but they’ve gained a lot of ground in recent years. They have an excellent lineup of capped composite boards along with a collection of PVC planks. That said, their price points and accessibility help to set them apart from other manufacturers with similar lineups.

Types of Fiberon Decking

Fiberon Symmetry Review

Composite planks from this series have a clean, matte finish and micro-texturing to give it the appearance of real wood. The boards are covered in a four-sided cap for additional protection, but also reversible. The deep grain looks great and adds a bit of extra traction as well. As for the colors, they are multi-tonal, but the selection is a little sparse compared to other “premium” series from other brands.

The company pulled their hues from one end of the spectrum, so you’ll only have darker tones to choose from with their premium product. In this case, it’s Warm Sienna, Cinnabar, Burnt Umber and Graphite. If you like variable grain patterns, you will definitely appreciate the Symmetry series.

Fiberon Horizon Review

Fiberon’s second product from their “Best” tier is called Horizon although it shares more similarities than differences to their top option.  Both have the companies PermaTech surface protection, but the finish is quite different with the Horizon line. The boards have multiple grain patterns, but not in the usual sense as you’ll get one pattern on the top and a different one on the bottom.

The color variance is better with this series although you still only have four options with IPE, Rosewood, Tudor Brown, and Castle Gray. There are four different grain patterns in all, and those patterns and colors will repeat every 70 feet according to the manufacturer.

Fiberon Paramount Review

The last decking series from their premium tier isn’t a composite board, but one made from PVC. Paramount PVC decking is an excellent alternative if you’re looking for something light and durable with excellent slip-resistance. As there’s no wood used in these boards, mold will never be an issue which makes them ideal for areas around water like a pool or dock.

Fiberon Paramount has a co-extruded cap on three sides, so they aren’t reversible. They do meet several criteria for WUI zones, however, but you’ll want to stay away from rubber mats or anything with latex or vinyl due to the risk of discoloration. Colors for this series include Brownstone, Sandstone, Flagstone, and Mineral.

Fiberon ProTect Advantage Review

While the top two composite options carry a similar price tag, the Fiberon ProTect Advantage price is cheaper although still a step up from the budget class. These three-sided boards are not reversible because of their design but are capped on top and one of the more natural series from a color standpoint.

There’s not as much streaking or color variance with these planks, so they are a great choice if you want a uniform deck. Colors include Western Cedar, Chestnut, and Gray Birch and they are also meet standards listed for WUI zones in California like its PVC counterpart. It also qualifies for a 5-year labor warranty coverage like the three previous products as well.

Fiberon Sanctuary Review

Our first true budget boards come from the Fiberon Sanctuary lineup. They are a bit more rustic than the previous series although still capped on three sides with PermaTech protection. The price helps set them apart, but so does the high-traction grain pattern on the top of each board. You’ll also get a few interesting color options but may have to special order your hues depending on where you live.

Fiberon offers Sanctuary in three colors with Jatoba, Latte, and Earl Grey. Unfortunately, Jatoba is a Home Depot exclusive, and you’ll need to reside in Canada if you want the other two shades. You may be able to special order Latte and Earl Grey stateside, but it’s an odd choice nonetheless.

Fiberon Good Life Review

Fiberon Good Life lives up to its namesake by allowing you to feel like you’re living the good life at half the price. These boards are also on the budget tier and three-sided but lack PermaTech protection and are scalloped on the bottom. They are lighter than your typical composite board, but not reversible for obvious reasons.

One perk of this line are the colors as you’ll get five to choose from including two solids with Cabin and Cottage. Multi-chromatic colors include Beach House, Tuscan Villa, and Bungalow. The 25-year warranty also applies to this series and the Sanctuary lineup, but neither qualifies for labor coverage.

Fiberon ArmorGuard Review

The last option from Fiberon also falls into the Good category but is a retailer exclusive. It’s an interesting mix of the Good Life and Horizon series although you can only purchase ArmorGuard decking through Home Depot at this time. The warranty is also different as you’ll get a general 20-year warranty against staining, fading, and structural integrity compared to 25 years with the others.

These deck boards are scalloped to cut down on the cost, but bonded on three sides and covered in PermaTech. The colors do streak somewhat with the ArmorGuard planks although it’s much more subtle due to the shades themselves. There are four options in this series with Coastal Cedar, Nantucket Gray, Seaside Gray, and Brazilian Walnut.

Where to Purchase Fiberon Decking

Fiberon isn’t hard to find, but the selection varies by dealer and location if you plan on shopping at a specialty store. Otherwise, Home Depot is the easiest place to pick up this decking as long as you’re not looking for those Canadian shades…

Fiberon Decking Cost

Fiberon Composite Decking Pros, Cons and Ratings

Whenever a decking manufacturer decides to make things easy by simplifying their lineup, it’s always a bonus for the consumer. Fiberon adopted the Best, Better, Good system for their decking, and they are one of the few companies to have a completely different range of colors for each series as well. While there are some drawbacks to this product, the pros greatly outweigh the cons.

Pros: Fiberon has some of the best pricing when it comes to composite decking, and there is an entry point for everyone. It’s also easy to acquire aside from the Sanctuary line, and we appreciate the thought that went into the color selection by series… especially compared to other brands.

Cons: No product is perfect, and the biggest issue with these planks is the profile and warranty. If you want a square profile, you’ll need to purchase 20-foot sections more, as only their grooved boards come in 12, 16, and 20-foot lengths. While the warranties are sound, several of their competitors have stronger guarantees at a similar price point.

Ratings:

FAQ

Q: My deck is moldy, should I use a power washer to clean it?

A: Fiberon recommends using a cleaner on your deck that’s geared towards mold first, as power washing can cause the mold to become further embedded into the pores of each board.

Q: Is there something safe to use for ice removal that won’t damage my deck?

A: Rock salt is the simplest solution, but the company says any product that’s considered safe for grass or concrete without dyes will also be safe for your deck. Ice melting products fall under that category; just read the label carefully beforehand.

Q: Can you grill on Fiberon composite decking?

A: Yes, whether it’s a grass grill or classic charcoal grill, the only potential pitfall would be grease, but the heat won’t bother your deck. Fire pits are a different story, however, and not advised unless properly installed and designed to deal with excess heat.

Q: Is any of Fiberon’s decking approved for use in Wildland Urban Inference zones that meet the fire code requirements in California?

A: Yes, there are two product lines available with ProTect Advantage FR and Paramount PVC Decking, but you’ll want to read this for more details.

Q: What’s the best way to remove sticky residue from my decking?

A: The company recommends using WD40 for things like tree sap and residue from labels.

Q: Can I use hidden fasteners from another brand with Fiberon decking?

A: No, and doing so will void your warranty, so don’t try it. The company’s Phantom system is designed especially for their planks, and while other companies may have a similar system, it’s not worth the risk to save a few bucks.

Q: What types of safe mats are available for use with Fiberon decking?

A: Steer clear of any mats that feature latex, vinyl, or rubber as those materials could cause discoloration on your deck if there is a reaction. Vinyl-backed mats are safe along with woven mats, as long as they are colorfast.

Q: Can Fiberon be installed over a concrete patio?

A: Yes, as long as the proper steps are taken, which means making sure there is enough airflow under the deck and at least 1.5 inches between the ground and bottom joist. If you plan to use a sleeper installation, the company recommends following these tips.

Q: What’s the safest substance I can use to clean my decks if they are dirty, but not stained?

A: That would be soap and water. The company recommends that simple solution for most of their decking lines, but you can also use mild household cleaners that are safe for plastic, vinyl, and PVC. Never use anything abrasive and be careful when using a pressure washer.

Q: Can a chipped or lightly damaged deck board be repaired, or does it need to be replaced?

A: If you purchased reversible deck boards, you could simply flip the damaged board over. Otherwise, it depends on the extent of the issue, although a heat gun and brass bush will work wonders if you know how to use them.