A User's Experience Using UltraDeck Composite Fencing

How an ordinary homeowner chose UltraDeck composite fence, comparisons with Trex fencing, the pros and cons of the different fence styles offered and the purchase and assembly process. The good the bad and the ugly issues with both the fence and a gate and their installation with tips that should help others choosing to use the same product.
A support document for this video can be found at tinyurl.com/yr...

[@ActraiserVII]

Elite content beyond just the composite product. 10/10, would watch again.

[@hectorskifter]

+1 on your post sleeve advice. The post sleeves I purchased only fit with cutting all 4x4 edges and encouraging with a sledge. This would have been a nightmare if my post was already in the ground. Thanks for suggesting pre-fitting post sleeves first!

[@kkw2219]

Great analysis! I found almost no review of this fence and came to a dilemma that our city required 25% transparency of privacy fence so Trex was no longer an option. I wonder if the first solid privacy style offer that much vision between pickets? I had high hopes for the shadowbox style but from your video they seemed horrible at providing privacy due to the rail width.

[@marksteinbach3386]

Can we see how the fence looks after 1 year? any new issues?

[@kiettran2372]

I was wondering if the picket bow or bend or crack since you had them installed?

[@richardastley2517]

Hi Kiet. It's now about a year since I erected my first piece of UltraDeck fencing and so far it looks as good as new. There is no cracking and I expect none because the material, unlike wood, has no grain along which to crack. There is, however, some warping, which is most pronounced in hot weather when expansion of the pickets and their tendency to soften under warmer temperatures makes them look a little wavy, especially if the light hits them obliquely. In the video I mention how difficult it would be to rip-cut the pickets because they are so floppy and in the transcript of my live-chat with UltraDeck, they mention how placing the product in the sun will soften it. I think part of the reason for the warping is the poor dimensional control in manufacturing, which I complain about mostly in respect to the internal dimensions of the posts that do not accept 4x4 timber as they should. But, in addition, most of the rails I received had slight ballooning so no face was absolutely flat and also the brackets that hold them are not made with good right angle corners. This means that the pickets don't lay absolutely flat on them and so with 3 rails, once the screws clamp them to the rails, the pickets go in and out with the direction of the rail faces.
All that said, despite my difficulties with the product, I've just ordered material to install another 60 feet. I won't be using the internal 4x4 timber that caused me all the time and trouble. Instead I'm placing the posts in dry Quikcrete Rapid concrete with a 4 foot rebar up the middle and filling the post to just above ground level with more concrete. I'll then pour water around and into the post. I'll place a 2x4, which I may have to plane to fit (but easier than a 4x4), into the hollow above ground section of the post and clamped toward the back of the post. This will give something for the bracket screws to bite into. Wish me luck, and good luck to you too! Rick

[@richardastley2517]

So sorry I missed this. You've probably made all your decisions by now, but I'll answer in case it can help someone else. Yes, there is some bowing. It's worst on the tall 3-rail fencing. When the sun gets on it the pickets want to expand but can't because they are held tightly between the rails and so it take up an "S" shape. That also causes the top and bottom sections to flip inwards or outwards. No cracking despite extremes of temperature.