Yo Ken, if your still around your up on this one. Far as Composites go I am with the Larry/whoever We are for the most part. Composites are really no longer using recycled material because there is just not enough of it so most of the raw stuff is virgin,the energy used to make composite is an enviro no no, when its time to remove the project composite is not real big on bio degrade its tricky to burn shreading it would be silly. Bottom line composites are not so enviro freindly. Info like that might suggest its not all that good to clean it either, with anything. I dont agree>> composites will out last Ipe, left to go silver/gray Ipe is as close to no maintance as a person can get. With the softer composites like Choice/MoistureShield even trex= tjunk I have found a coat or two of TWP 116 seals up the decking,locks in the color and keeps mold,mildew,stains from causing major problems. Of course not needing to do this is the reason the Wallet goes for composite in the first place. I my own self dont like composites at all for the reasons stated in several posts here and on other sites. Welcome aboard Larry!!! Sorry I dident understand your intent at the begining . John

We just gave up the fight with Midwest Manufacturing/Menards to honor the warranty on our 6-year-old deck. We had boards shrinking, fasteners breaking loose and boards coming loose, and someone actually broke through a board. When we filed the claim and sent pictures, the answer, of course, was that the warranty was invalid because due to improper installation. Apparently, they could tell this by a few pictures, without inspecting the deck. When we pushed back and asked them to explain the shrinkage or, if the deck wasn't installed properly, why we weren't having issues with the covered part of the deck (only the part exposed to elements), they had not answer. The just kept saying the warranty is invalid. I wish I had seen these comments before we installed the deck (on our new house) 6 years ago. I hope others find these before buying. I'm doing all I can to spread the word that this is not a good product, and that Midwest Manufacturing/Menards does not value their customer.

Color fade, like most of the other problems associated with composites, happens because of exposed wood fiber. If you look closely at a composite, you'll see those little bite-sized pieces of wood. Just like any other unprotected wood on your house, it will fade, absorb grease, and is hard to prevent mildew on. You can look at a 2nd generation composite like CorrectDeck CX which doesn't have exposed wood fiber, it shouldn't have those problems.

No feedback but I worry about fading on sun exposed deck then remove your rug and voila! A two toned deck. Following to see others experience