Do composite warranties cover fading on Ottawa decks?

Composite decking manufacturers publish fade and stain warranties on their capped wood-plastic composite lines, including 25- and 30-year limited terms, and some cellular PVC lines carry a lifetime limited product warranty with a 50-year fade and stain warranty. These are manufacturer warranty terms, not lifespan guarantees, and the coverage, exclusions and claim process vary by product.

A few things are worth understanding before you rely on a warranty for an Ottawa deck.

Read what the warranty actually covers, not only the headline number. The terms we read are limited warranties, so read the full warranty document for the exact board line before you choose, not just the marketing summary.

Maintenance affects coverage. We found no neutral cleaning or upkeep interval for composite or PVC decking, so the right source is the manufacturer's care guide for the specific product.

The Ottawa permit process adds one step specific to composite and PVC materials. Where the proposed decking is other than conventional lumber, the City of Ottawa requires a material testing report, either a CCMC or BMEC report, as part of the building permit application.

On the permit itself: the City of Ottawa's permit application goes through the My ServiceOttawa portal, and the City requires three inspections: excavation and foundations before backfill, framing at completion of structural framing and guards, and a final inspection. Each inspection needs to be booked 48 hours in advance.

Before you sign a contract for composite decking, ask the builder to confirm in writing who submits the permit application, who provides the CCMC or BMEC report for the chosen product, and who books each of the three City inspections. Those responsibilities belong in the written contract, not in a verbal understanding.