Fiberon porches, balconies, open-side floors or floor openings

The reports, as CPSC published them

1. No one hurt

   Made Apr 21, 2014 · , sent to the company Apr 29, 2014 · , published by CPSC May 20, 2014

   The product, in the report: FIBERON COMPOSITE DECKING Formerly manufactured under the name “Louisiana Pacific Weatherbest”

   My wife and I purchased and moved into our home in March 2012. The house was built in 2008/09 and we purchased it from the first owner. We had an independent home inspection done prior to moving in and everything checked out. A few months after moving in, we noticed that the majority of the composite deck boards were wavy/warped and bowed. I was able to track down who I thought was the original manufacturer through all of the build specs for the house. I did a quick Google search on the manufacturer - Louisiana Pacific “LP”, and the first thing that came up on the search page was for a recall on my specific decking - for the exact same symptoms that I was experiencing (warping/bowing). I contacted “LP”’s claim line and they sent me a claim form. I filled it out in its entirety, and sent it back to them - along with a few pictures that they had requested. A few weeks later, I received a letter back from “LP” stating that “By the time my decking was manufactured, they were sold out to another company - “Fiber Composite” or “Fiberon”. My home was built during a “transitional period” where it could have been either company the manufactured it. There is a special notch in the board that indicates that it was in fact manufactured by “Fiber Composite” or “Fiberon”. As a consumer, I found it hard to believe that two different manufacturers would have the same warping issues with their decking. I called and spoke to someone at the claims center at “LP”.. who stated that he had received numerous phone calls, claim forms and emails regarding defective decking manufactured by “Fiber Composite” or “Fiberon”. The theory was that when “Fiber Composite” or “Fiberon” purchased the company from “LP”, there was no recall, nor was there any indication of anything wrong with the way that the decking was being manufactured or materials used. They continued on with the same materials and manufacturing process as “LP” did. When they realized that there was an issue, they modified there product, but there was still some composite decking that was produced by “Fiber Composite” of “Fiberon” that was defective. When I contacted “Fiberon” to initiate a claim, they indicated to me that because I am not the original owner, nor do I have proof of purchase, that this would not be covered. That is absolutely ridiculous! This decking should have been recalled , just as the “LP” decking was. There is no logical reason why composite decking should be wavy and warped after 5 years. This is unsafe and unacceptable, regardless if you are the first owner or not. My next stop will be to contact the bbb, the attorney generals office and my attorney to inquire about starting a class action. I honestly don’t have time to deal with this, but in this case.. I will make time. This is an unfair and unethical business practice and Fiberon needs to take full responsibility for it.

   Model

   WEATHERBEST

   Bought from

   HOME DEPOT, Massachusetts

   Bought

   Aug 21, 2008

   Where

   attleboro, Massachusetts: Home/Apartment/Condominium

   Who was involved

   Male

   The reporter’s relation to them

   Unspecified

   As this report names them

   Brand FIBERON, made or sold by FIBER COMPOSITES, LLC

   How badly, in CPSC’s words

   Incident, No Injury

2. No one hurt

   Made Aug 13, 2012 · , sent to the company Sep 26, 2012 · , published by CPSC Oct 11, 2012

   The product, in the report: Fiberon 5/4x6” Horizon Tropics/IPE Composite Decking The product damaged before the incident. No. - The deck was free of any dirt, oil or any other slippery substance. Every time Consumer visits her brother she uses great caution when walking on his deck. The deck was totally dry, but has a slippery surface when dry. Consumer was walking (normal use) which is what people do under normal use and what Consumer believes this deck is intended for. Consumer’s brother warns all visitors to be careful while walking on his deck. (Consumer strongly stated this over the phone.) Have you contacted the manufacturer. Yes – This Submitter/Consumer has not contacted manufacturer, but she’s been told manufacturer has been contacted prior and has full knowledge of hazard. There should be a warning on the box “slippery when dry”. This deck has created an unreasonable risk of injury to Consumer when she slipped. Consumer strongly stated this over the phone.

   Caller is visiting brother who has a composite decking outside. Caller has cerebral palsy (mild C.P.) and walks with a crutch.

   She was walking on brother’s deck and almost slipped but caught herself. Consumer’s nephew caught her by the left arm if he was not there Consumer would have fallen back on her head and back. Consumer told this to lady who was taking the report over the phone. This would have caused a huge risk of injury a serious physical harm to Consumer.

   She is reporting this deck because she believes it to be unsafe, stating that a deck is made for walking and if you can’t walk on it without slipping on it then it is not safe.

   She and her brother contacted the manufacturer with a previous incident on this same deck and does intend to contact them again.

   Caller states that In a previous incident last year around Springtime one of CPSC’s Inspectors came out to check the deck out and almost slipped himself but nothing has been changed. November 10, 2011 the same inspector took a piece of the decking for testing, he doesn’t believe it was actually tested and was advised to create another report if anyone slipped on the decking again.

   First Report #20110726-F220D-1193563 filed by Mr. [REDACTED]; this report has all the information CPSC needs. Consumer lives in Florida. Second Report # 20120813-471B5-1265957 filed by Ms. [REDACTED].

   Incident location: Brother’s house on a visit to Long Island.

   Injury information: (Consumer twisted her ankle (right) that was it). Consumer strongly stated this over the phone to the lady over the phone. This is the second incident that happened to Consumer. The first was during the Thanksgiving holiday season last year.

   Model

   unknown

   Serial number

   unknown

   Bought from

   Bravo Lumber, New York

   Bought

   Sep 10, 2011, about then

   Where

   Amityville, New York: Other

   Who was involved

   Age 54, Female

   The reporter’s relation to them

   Self

   As this report names them

   Brand Fiberon, made or sold by FIBERON COMPOSITES LLC

   How badly, in CPSC’s words

   Incident, No Injury

3. Hurt, care not known

   Made Jul 26, 2011 · , published by CPSC Sep 22, 2011

   The product, in the report: Fiberon 5/4x6” Horizon Tropics/IPE Composite Decking

   The extension ladder was placed on the composite decking for the consumer to do some minor maintenance on the side of his home. The extension ladder rolled backwards into a bush(without being moved) while on the decking causing the consumer to lose his balance.

   The consumer stated that if the ladder would not have gotten stuck in the bush he could have easily fallen through his window however he was able to safely jump from the ladder and not sustain any injuries.

   There were other occasions while walking on the composite deck after rain that the surface became very slick and caused him to slip and fall (dates of incidents are unknown). He contacted two different companies 7/20/2011 & 7/22/2011 who advised the consumer when using a ladder on the deck to use an A frame ladder to prevent the ladder from sliding.

   The consumer is considering removing the product from his deck. No further information was provided he indicated that he would add more information and photo’s once he received the report.

   Bought from

   Bravo Lumber, New York

   Bought

   Sep 1, 2010

   Where

   Unspecified: Unspecified

   Who was involved

   Age 49, Male

   The reporter’s relation to them

   Unspecified

   As this report names them

   Brand Fiberon, made or sold by FIBER COMPOSITES, LLC

   Reports CPSC links to it

   20111028-FC897-1211211

   How badly, in CPSC’s words

   Injury, Level of care not known

CPSC’s disclaimer

Sources