5 Mistakes Homeowners Make That Can Void Your Fiberon Warranty

June 5, 2026 | By Pat Ward

Oftentimes, homeowners hear the word “warranty” and assume that the things important to them are protected. They feel protected by this peace of mind until the time comes to submit a claim, and they find out their warranty is void.

Not every contractor takes the time to clearly explain what your warranty includes, what it doesn’t, and what mistakes to avoid. In fact, if your deck isn’t installed by a professional, it might not be under warranty at all.

At C&L Ward, we’ve completed over 2,250 decking projects and are Fiberon-Certified as an Outdoor Ambassador. We believe that every homeowner deserves to know and understand the details of their warranty. We want all of our clients to understand the protections available to them, and help them to keep it as long as possible.

By the time you’re done reading this article, you’ll know how to avoid costly mistakes and what not to do when it comes to your Fiberon deck.

What is the warranty on Fiberon Decking?

Fiberon decking is covered by a limited warranty. This warranty is from the manufacturer, meaning Fiberon itself defines what is and is not covered or protected.

The word “limited” indicates that this warranty is only good for a specific timeframe. In Fiberon’s case, the limited warranty lasts 20 to 25 years, depending on the material and product. After that timeframe, your product is no longer covered under Fiberon’s warranty.

25-Year Coverage:	Fiberon® Horizon® Decking, Fiberon® ProTect Advantage® Decking, Fiberon® ProTect® Decking, Fiberon® Sanctuary® Decking, Fiberon® Good Life™ Decking
20-year Coverage:	Veranda® ArmorGuard® Decking, Fiberon® Xtreme Decking, Fiberon® Xtreme Wide Decking

If your contractor offered any labor or installation warranties, these may last longer or shorter than Fiberon’s warranty.

What Mistakes Do Homeowners Make that Void Their Fiberon Warranties?

Fiberon clearly outlines five events in their Limited Warranty that void all warranties in their entirety:

1. Improper Installation

“Failure to install, care for and maintain the Fiberon Products in accordance with the Fiberon written instructions, and the Fiberon Care and Maintenance instructions found on www.fiberondecking.com and the conditions stated below voids all warranties in their entirety.”

You have two options when it comes to your Fiberon deck—either you order the boards and install them without a contractor, or you hire an installer to supply the boards and the labor.

This is where research is key. You can do it yourself or buy the boards and hire a cheaper installer, but an improper installation will void your warranty from Day 1. This means that any issue your deck has (as a result of the install, or any defect in the product) is on you to fix.

This is why we recommend homeowners do their research and hire contractors who are trained on Fiberon installations and, ideally, stand by their work with a labor warranty.

The Fiberon Certified Installer Program offers a tiered system for installers to learn, train, and receive exclusive warranties. It is a good place to check credentials and find reputable installers near you.

2. Harsh Cleaners, Painting, or Staining

“Use of abrasive compounds of acidic or basic pH, strong solvents, oil based paints or stains, metallic rust, concrete or masonry products, air or water borne minerals and other abnormal residential deck use items will damage the Fiberon Products and voids all warranties in their entirety.”

Fiberon is durable. We recommend sweeping or powerwashing to clean your deck as needed, as using any solvents strong enough to damage your deck will void your warranty.

Fiberon decking is designed to be low-maintenance and does not need to be painted or stained. This is one of the product’s biggest selling points! It also means that attempting to use oil-based paints or stains on your deck will void the warranty.

This limitation extends beyond harsh cleaners and paints to include metallic rust finishes, products intended for use on stone or concrete, and any items not intended for use on residential decks.

3. Extreme Heat

“Direct or indirect contact with the Fiberon Products of extreme heat sources (over 250 degrees) voids all warranties in their entirety.”

A 100° (Fahrenheit) day won’t void your warranty, but torches or fire will. If your deck boards are burned, melted, or otherwise damaged by extreme heat, the warranty is voided. Grills are fine, but we don’t recommend placing a fire pit on your Fiberon deck.

As we don’t see many 250° days on planet Earth, any heat damage this extreme won’t be caused by temperature alone. More likely, it’s the result of an accident or a repair attempt.

While it takes a lot, Fiberon boards can scratch. If the damage is bothersome, a repairman can likely fix the board by using heat to melt the scratch down and smooth the area. A soft-bristle brush or Magic Eraser may help to remove scuffs or minor scratches.

Beyond voiding your warranty, this use of heat can be dangerous if handled incorrectly. We recommend calling in a professional or placing outdoor furniture or a decorative rug over the scratch, rather than trying to tackle it yourself.

4. Inflicted Damage

“Damaging, gouging, scraping or puncturing the surface of the Fiberon Products voids all warranties in their entirety.”

Small things, like a pet walking across your deck, won’t damage any boards. Heavy things—like a grill that’s pushed rather than carried—can scrape or gouge your deck boards. This, along with other damages such as nailing or drilling into or through your Fiberon product, can void your warranty.

5. Painting (Again)

“Paint or applying other coating materials to Fiberon Products voids all warranties in their entire[ty].”

Painting is mentioned in event #2, but it is so important that it appears in Fiberon’s warranty twice.

While #2 specifically mentions oil-based paints, this event refers to all coating materials. Again, Fiberon products are not meant to be painted, stained, refinished, or sealed.

How to Care for a Fiberon Deck

Now that you know what not to do, we’d like to share a few tips on what extra steps you can take to protect your Fiberon deck and keep it looking new.

You can arrange downspouts and dryer vents to face away from your deck to help avoid excess water or heat exposure.
When power washing your deck, keep the nozzle at least 10” away from the deck. Only use pressures below 3,000 psi and wash with the grain pattern, rather than against it.
Certain items, such as flower pots, can cause your deck to stain. Wrought iron and other carbon steel materials can also stain uncapped composite decks.
If your deck is ever under ice and snow, Fiberon explicitly states to use a calcium chloride-based “ice-melt” or rock salt, not sand and not ice melts with added colorants. These added dyes may stain your deck.

The full list of recommendations and product-specific care guides may be found on Fiberon’s Maintenance & Care page.

What to Do If You Think You’ve Voided Your Fiberon Warranty

If you think you’ve voided your warranty, or aren’t sure how much is covered, you can access the full Fiberon Stain and Fade Performance Limited Warranty online. This document offers a legal breakdown of what is and isn’t covered, as well as how much of your deck can be recovered, depending on when a claim is submitted.

Find your original warranty paperwork, and locate any installation records if you’re able. These documents can help you better understand if any issue(s) you’re facing are eligible for support and, if so, from whom that support will come.

If you need to submit a warranty claim, submit a Service Request to receive assistance regarding your C&L Ward-installed deck.

Looking to install a new deck? Schedule a Consultation, and one of our in-home consultants will be happy to discuss all composite decking options further.