Does the LEED program require a specific EPD operator for composite decking?

No. LEED v4.1 requires third‑party verified, program‑operator EPDs that conform to ISO 14025 and ISO 21930. It does not mandate a single operator, which is why you see EPDs hosted by Smart EPD, SCS Global Services, UL and others.

If we start with one EPD, which MoistureShield family should go first?

Prioritize Meridian or Elevate because of their likely volume and aesthetic range. Follow with Stratos PVC to compete on fire performance and premium specs where PVC lines are shortlisted.

Can one EPD cover multiple colors or board lengths?

Usually yes. EPDs are issued for a defined product system and manufacturing scope. Colorways and standard lengths are often included if the formulation is consistent. Check the PCR and operator rules during scoping.

How often will an EPD need renewal?

Most program‑operator EPDs carry a five‑year validity window. Plan to refresh data and re‑verify on that cadence to keep spec confidence high.

MoistureShield: products and EPD coverage snapshot

Who MoistureShield is in the market

MoistureShield is a signature outdoor living brand within Oldcastle APG, part of CRH. The brand focuses on composite and PVC deck boards plus complementary railing and accents for residential and light commercial projects. Their positioning leans on durability in wet, in‑ground and even submerged applications, which resonates for marinas, pools and high‑exposure sites.

What they sell, in plain English

The core lineup spans five board families and multiple rail types.

Decking: Stratos composite‑enhanced PVC, Vision capped wood composite, Meridian capped wood composite, Elevate capped wood composite, and Vantage uncapped wood composite.
Railing: composite systems like Navigator, Discovery and Traverse, plus aluminum Compass and steel Fathom options.
Accents and accessories: hidden fasteners, joist tape, fascia and trim, deck lighting, and a growing set of screens, pergolas and enclosure kits.

See their sustainability overview here for flavor on materials and recycled inputs (MoistureShield Sustainability).

How many categories and SKUs, roughly

Across composite and PVC decking, multiple board edges and lengths, colors and matching fascia, MoistureShield participates in several adjacent categories. Expect the total SKU count to land in the dozens, possibly low hundreds when railing variants and accessories are included. That breadth covers most outdoor living needs without forcing specifiers to mix many vendors.

EPD coverage today

As of December 5, 2025, we could not locate publicly posted, product‑specific EPDs for MoistureShield decking or railing in commonly used operator registries. Their website highlights recycled content and LEED contributions, yet there are no visible EPD downloads on product pages or in the support library. If an EPD exists but is unpublished or lives behind a portal, it is not helping teams earn credits or satisfy owner policies.

Competitors that show up with EPDs

Fiberon publishes third‑party verified EPDs across its decking and cladding families. SCS Global Services noted that all seven Fiberon lines now have EPDs (SCS Global Services, 2024) (SCS Global Services, 2024).
TimberTech from The AZEK Company communicates that EPDs for TimberTech decking are available and directs readers to Smart EPD, which satisfies the program‑operator requirement many specs call for (AZEK Sustainability Report, 2025) (AZEK, 2025).

These are the rivals MoistureShield most often meets in decks for single family, multifamily podiums, hospitality terraces, boardwalks and amenities. Trex is another frequent alternative, although public, product‑specific EPDs are not obvious on Trex’s main channels.

Where the gap pinches in real bids

Take Meridian as a likely volume driver for projects that want a natural look without a price shock. On a LEED‑targeted multifamily, product‑specific EPDs simplify MR credit strategy. When a submittal lacks an EPD, project teams often default to conservative carbon accounting for that line item. If a competitor’s near‑equivalent board comes with an operator‑listed, product‑specific EPD, the tie can break away from MoistureShield, even when performance is comparable.

A fast, credible path to parity

Prioritize one product per family first. Start with Meridian and Elevate, then Stratos PVC for WUI‑sensitive or premium specs. One EPD per family moves the needle quickly.
Pick the prevailing PCR used by rivals. A great LCA partner will benchmark against the PCRs behind Fiberon and TimberTech EPDs, then recommend the operator and scope that fit the portfolio and timelines.
Publish where specifiers look. Program‑operator listings and clear download links on each product page matter more than a buried PDF.

What to watch in sustainability messaging

MoistureShield’s recycled‑content story is strong, and it helps in owner dialogues. Yet EPDs are the language design teams document against, especially under LEED v4.1 MR EPD credit guidance from USGBC. Put simply, thier sustainability promise converts to points only when the declaration is third‑party verified and easy to cite in submittals.

Competitive substitutions to expect

If Meridian appears without an EPD, expect TimberTech Advanced PVC or Fiberon Good Life or Concordia to be proposed as alternates when owners or GCs require declarations. Fiberon’s public EPD set makes those swaps straightforward for teams under schedule pressure (SCS Global Services, 2024) (SCS Global Services, 2024).

Bottom line for specability

MoistureShield is not a niche player. The portfolio spans multiple material systems, rail choices and accessories, so the commercial upside from a small, well‑sequenced set of EPDs is meaningful. One verified, product‑specific EPD per flagship family closes the most common submittal gap and reduces the chance of getting swapped late in buyout. Publish clearly, align to familiar PCRs, keep renewal dates on radar, and the brand’s sturdy field reputation will travel into more specs with less friction.