When Barb DiPietro and her husband built their new deck, they hoped their 'lifelong' Brite Manufacturing Inc. composite boards would last forever, not their warranty woes.

But years later, the Hamilton couple was still negotiating with their retail supplier, who had provided them with their original materials and installation plans. "The boards have a warranty which states they will not split or rot," DiPietro told Action Line.

"We purchased our materials at Home Depot about four years ago and built our deck according to their free design plans. We've had problems ever since. At first I dealt with the manufacturer, who replaced a few split boards. When further cracking occurred, however, I asked to have all my boards replaced and they blamed the problems on our deck's sub-structure."

According to the consumer, Home Depot provided plans that featured 2 X 6-inch joists on the substructure and the manufacturer maintains the deck requires 2 X 8-inch joists.

"But the installer who replaced the initial boards said our structure was absolutely fine," DiPietro noted.

Action Line forwarded the DiPietro complaint to Home Depot's head office and to Brite Manufacturing's Canadian sales representative in Bolton, Ont.

Leo Cavalluzzo said Brite had previously offered to replace the "entire deck surface", if the DiPietros rebuilt their substructure. He said the deck was resting on deck blocks and not properly anchored into the ground with posts and concrete. Hence, the deck could move during "frost and thaw" and the movement could lead to splitting of the boards.

A communications spokesman for Home Depot, meanwhile, wasn't certain if the retailer had recommended 2x6-inch joists, but offered to provide the DiPietros with all the materials needed to rebuilt the deck and its substructure.

If the consumer made that effort, Home Depot would provide a warranty on the new deck boards, Nick Cowling assured Action Line. Brite Manufacturing said it had already lived up to its warranty obligations and would provide no additional warranty.

However, the DiPietros balked at having to rebuild their deck, insisting that their substructure had not moved or shifted and was not the problem.

"We would have to now invest a lot of labour, not just to take apart the deck and iron railings, but to start digging into the ground to sink posts," Barb noted. "The deck has been landscaped all around and has patio stones underneath to keep it clean."

Instead, the DiPietros said they would be satisfied if Home Depot would provide slightly more expensive 'Eon' deck boards and a few additional materials. They would live without further warranty coverage, if need be. Home Depot was mulling that proposal as we went to press.

The Brite warranty has many exclusions and only provides for full replacement of defective boards during the first six years of the 15-year term. Thereafter, there is a pro-rated replacement cost.

"Exposure to chemicals, ground dirt, berry stains, rust, grease or burned-in stains are not covered by this warranty," Brite states on its website, britemfg.com. "The manufacturer shall not be liable or responsible for variations in the colour or surface texture from board to board. Boards will vary in appearance in the same manner as wood. The limited warranty does not cover material contraction or expansion, damage caused by structural movement, distortion, collapse or settling of the ground on which the material is installed. Painting or staining voids all warranty conditions."

Failure to install the product "as per the instructions in the installation guide" renders the warranty null and void.

If you have a consumer problem, call 905-526-4665 or e-mail amacrury@thespec.com

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