What Do I Need to File a Composite Decking Warranty Claim?
Proof of purchase, a description and photos of the affected boards, and for a stain claim, proof you tried to clean the spot within the manufacturer’s required window — most claims are filed directly with the manufacturer, not the installer.
After a few Kentucky freeze-thaw winters, we start getting calls from homeowners noticing fading, a stubborn stain, or a warped board and wondering whether it’s covered. Composite decking warranties are real and manufacturers do honor them, but the process has specific steps and specific exclusions that catch people off guard if they wait too long or clean a spill the wrong way.
The Claim Process, Step by Step
Per TimberTech’s published fade and stain warranty, a claim starts with the manufacturer’s online warranty form, along with proof of purchase and photos of the affected area. Fade claims are measured against a specific color-change threshold (a change greater than 5 Delta E within the coverage period, up to 25 years on some lines), not a homeowner’s visual impression alone. Stain claims have a tighter clock: spills need to be cleaned with water and a mild cleaner within 48 hours, and if a professional cleaning still doesn’t resolve it, the claim has to be filed within 30 days of that cleaning. Trex and other major brands run comparable programs with their own thresholds and windows — the form and the fine print differ by brand, so check the specific warranty card that came with your decking.
What’s Usually Excluded
- Stains from abrasive compounds, strong solvents, oil-based products, or metallic rust — these are typically carved out of stain-resistance coverage entirely
- Damage from improper cleaning products or pressure-washing settings the manufacturer doesn’t approve
- Normal, gradual weathering within the published tolerance — a slight color shift under the Delta E threshold isn’t a defect
- Installation errors, such as improper fastening or spacing, which typically fall on the installer’s workmanship warranty, not the material warranty
That last point is why it matters who installed the decking and how it was fastened — a manufacturer can and does deny claims that trace back to installation rather than the material itself. If a claim is denied and boards genuinely need replacing out of pocket, replacement runs in the same $25–$45 per square foot installed range already established for board replacement in the Danville area.
Choosing between brands in the first place is its own decision — see our TimberTech vs. Trex comparison for how the two brands’ warranties and capped-composite construction actually differ.
Common Questions
Do I file a warranty claim with the manufacturer or the deck builder?
The material warranty (fade, stain, structural defect in the board) is filed with the manufacturer directly. A workmanship issue tied to how the deck was built or fastened is a separate conversation with whoever installed it.
How long do I have to file a stain claim?
Manufacturers typically require the spill cleaned within 48 hours, and if a professional cleaning still doesn’t resolve it, the claim itself generally needs to be filed within 30 days of that cleaning attempt — check your specific brand’s warranty card for the exact window.
Does normal fading over time count as a warranty defect?
Not usually. Manufacturers define a specific color-change threshold for what counts as excessive fade; a gradual, modest shift within that tolerance over the years is expected weathering, not a covered defect.
Last updated: September 21, 2026