Veranda composite decking is an incredibly unique line owned by the Fiberon® company. If you’re in the construction industry, you know that Fiberon has released competitive and long-lasting decking products in the past.
Does Veranda live up to its mother company’s reputation? This review should arm you with enough details about Veranda composite decking to make an informed decision.
Veranda Overview
Fiberon isn’t new to manufacturing decking, railing, fastener, and other deck-building supplies. It was founded by Doug Mancosh in New London, North Carolina in 1997 and is now available in over 30 countries.
Veranda, on the other hand, is a bit new to the scene. But this should not deter you as Veranda offers the same quality and protection as all other Fiberon products.
Veranda composite decking is produced in the same Fiberon recycling factory that uses over 40,000 tons of plastics and wood from landfills each year.
While you only have two color options, solid brown or gray, the material is uniquely capped on three sides and features a textured top that mimics the grainy look of real wood. The boards are available in a square profile, measuring .93 x 5.3 inches, regardless of whether you choose brown or gray.
Veranda composite decking is sold exclusively through Home Depot stores in the United States.
Pros & Cons of Veranda
As composite decking, Veranda products save money over time because unlike wood, you do not need to stain, seal, repaint, refinish, repair cracks, or remove algae regularly. Other benefits include:
Veranda Price, Costs, and Hidden Costs
You can buy Veranda composite decking in either 12-foot or 16-foot boards:
- The 12-foot Veranda boards cost about $20/board. It is available as a single board or in packs of 10 ($200) and 56 ($1,300).
- The 16-foot boards cost around $25/board and are available in 56-piece bundles for $1,750.
Because Veranda is available from Home Depot stores (and not through third-party installers), there is no hidden cost to worry about.
Veranda Installation
If you have experience in deck installations, it will not be challenging for you to place either the square-edge or grooved-edge boards. Those who haven’t installed decks before, however, may find working with the hidden surface-fastener installation a bit tricky.
To do the installation yourself, you’ll need a miter saw, drill, and circular saw. Also make sure to:
- Double-check if deck framing is stable. Installing your Veranda boards properly begins with the right prep. The ledger board should be fastened to the frame of the house correctly. While you’re at it, check if the ledger board is equipped with lag screw heads. If you don’t see any, you may have to add several of these screws to support your house’s existing frame.
- Space joists properly. In most cases, you’d need 2×10-inch joists to be spaced 16- to 24-inches apart. Check with your local building code about what deck support requirement is needed before you start installing the Veranda composite decking.
- Consider Veranda’s expansion/contraction and depth of concrete footing. Even if you installed your Veranda composite decks properly, if the footings aren’t deep enough, the deck won’t be able to adapt to the expansion and contraction of Veranda boards during extreme weather conditions.
- Install Fascia correctly. There should always be a gap between the top of the fascia and the bottom of your deck boards. Exact measurements will vary between brands and other factors. To be sure, check the installation manual; Most brands provide a comprehensive guide to install fascia the right way since it could affect the resulting look of your composite decking.
Care And Maintenance
Veranda composite decking is backed by a 25-year stain, fade, and performance limited warranty when used in residential settings and a 10-year warranty on all commercial settings.
If you want to paint the color of your deck, note that Veranda doesn’t recommend doing so and you’re stuck with the original color like most composite decks.
The company recommends cleaning the decks using soapy water and a scrub brush at least twice a year, so no debris sticks to the boards permanently.
Is Veranda Right for You?
Veranda composite decking is ideal for consumers who have decided not to use wood for their decks but do not want to spend thousands of money on premium composite boards. It’s long-lasting, mold- and mildew-resistant, and uses clean-looking hidden fasteners during installation, a feature often found in more premium composite decking brands.
When compared to competing boards that offer the same pre-finished capping, Veranda competes quite well because it offers exceptional value at an affordable price closest to wood.
Veranda will be perfect for those seeking a traditional-looking deck, but if you’re feeling adventurous, the brown and gray color option would probably put you off, especially since those are your only choices. If you’re particular with color and pattern, check out Trex composite decking lines.
And with the 25-year warranty against twisting, cracking, splitting, and warping, as well as stain and fade warranties, Veranda’s price is hard to beat.
