Trex Composite Decking Q&A

Is Trex better than traditional timber decking?

Yes, when comparing performance and durability factors there really isn’t a comparison; Trex is far superior. The most important factors to remember are that Trex doesn’t splinter, rot or twist and you never need to worry about treating with paint or stain because it simply never needs it. It’s also worth noting that Trex is manufactured with 95% recycled materials. It is a reliable and sustainable choice for sure.

What materials is Trex decking made from?

Trex composite decking is made with a range of recycled materials. These materials makeup 95% of the deck boards and can contain a range of recycled household items such as plastic packaging from food and plastic bags. Trex deck boards also contain reclaimed timber and sawdust. Annually Trex saves upwards of 200 Million Kilograms from going into landfills. Essentially every 50-square meter deck using Trex contains 140,000 recycled plastic bags. This makes Trex one of the biggest plastic film recyclers in the U.S.

Why is Trex more expensive than timber if it’s made from recycled materials?

Whilst Trex boards are made from 95% recycled material. These materials need careful processing in order to maintain the highest quality and of course performance. Considering your investment using Trex assure you a high quality, durable deck that will outlast timber. It even has a 25-year warranty.

How much does Trex decking cost?

Considering not just the initial supply and installation of a Trex deck. What about maintenance? A typical timber deck would need at least yearly maintenance including cleaning, sanding, staining or painting. On the other hand, Trex doesn’t require maintenance. Meanwhile, these maintenance costs add up… When comparing your investment based on the decks lifetime. Trex will actually work out better value for money.

What is Trex Joist Tape?

TrexProtect® joist tape is one of the simplest ways to make your decking last longer. The tape is Butyl-based which helps deck screws hold longer and works more effectively than acrylic or asphalt-based tape. You simply stick this to the top of your substructure and protect against moisture penetration. The TrexProtect® tape itself has a warranty of 20 years. They also make all their approved pro installers use it on every installation.

Trex Protect Decking Joist Tape

What is the Trex high-performance shell?

The Trex Transcend® and Trex Enhance® deck boards are both manufactured with a high-performance shell. This shell encompasses the board and protects from the outdoor elements. Meanwhile, the shell still lets the board breathe. Using this shell technology also prevents the boards from staining, scratching, going mouldy and fading.

Using the high-performance shell allows Trex to add better aesthetics to the boards including more refined grain detail and richer colour palettes. This shell also makes maintenance incredibly simple; an occasional pressure wash or soapy water does the trick.

It’s because of this shell that Trex warranty their boards for 25-years when fitted by TrexPro’s.

Does Trex decking fade?

The High-performance shell on both the Trex Transcend® and Trex Enhance® boards provides fade and stain resistance. This is also backed by their 25-year warranty.

Is Trex composite decking hot in the sun?

Any surface in the sun on a hot day can easily become too hot to walk on. Trex has invested in a range of studies to test and compare this with other materials. You will find lighter colour boards will retain less heat. Colour is the biggest factor to consider here. When using darker coloured boards along with pressure treated timber stained the same colour they found the timber became even hotter than the Trex.

Can Trex decking be specified for commercial projects?

Trex has an incredibly versatile range of materials. These will often fit the needs of most residential or commercial projects. You will see Trex is the solution to many projects that are in public high foot traffic areas around the world. These include Mount Rushmore, Dubai resorts; Even replacing the pier and boardwalks in Philadelphia and Jersey-shore after the damage left by Hurricane Sandy.

Is Trex heavier than timber decking?

Directly comparing Trex decking and timber decking you will find the Trex boards are approximately 50-70% heavier. If this is an issue the Trex Enhance® does have a lighter alternative because it has a scalloped underside finish.

Can I use Trex Decking structurally?

Trex products must be used for intended design purposes, for example, walking surfaces. Trex timber plastic composite products are not structural.

How do you make grooves in the sides of Trex boards?

You can create grooves in the board sides with the Trex Trex Groove Cutter.

This is designed to accept the recommended secret fixings. You can avoid this hassle by using the pre-grooved Trex boards Trex Hideaway® Hidden Fastening System.

trex side groove cutter tool
Trex Groove Cutter Tool
trex Trex hidden fixings Hideaway® Secret Fixing System
Trex Hideaway® Secret Fixing System

Can you rip down/ cut Trex boards?

Do not rip the board thickness. However, you can cut the boards width wise. Provided installation as per installation instructions can still be followed, the warranty will be valid. Do note that pre-drilling may be required to fix ripped down boards.

Can you glue Trex boards?

Don’t use glue as a primary fastener. If you’re using Trex fascia you can use glue as a secondary fastener. You can see the Fascia instructions in the install guide. Trex Installation Guide

Can you install Trex decking over a solid surface?

Yes, you can only install Trex decking over a solid surface unless using a specialist system. For example, a sleeper system. You can see more details on sleeper system guidelines. Trex Installation Guide

Should I paint or stain my Trex composite decking?

Trex Transcend and Trex Enhance both share the supreme high-performance shell. this means there is never any need to stain or paint. Trex engineer the colour and protective finish into the shell and warranty this for 25-years.

Can I use any fixings for Trex decking?

Trex does not endorse using any non-recommended fixings. Using non-recommended fixings will impact your warranty. Take a look at the Trex Installation Guide for further information.

Can you sand or jet wash Trex decking?

Never sand Trex. You will ruin the protective surface and void your warranty.

You can however jet wash Trex. This applies to both the Trex Transcend and Trex Enhance. Make sure you use up to 3100 psi this will remove any dirt and grime. Don’t use a fan tip any closer than 20cm during jet washing.

Is Trex composite decking no maintenance?

Like most things left outside, they will get dirty. The only maintenance you will need to carry out on your Trex deck is a simple wash with soapy water or a jet wash. Simple.

How can I melt ice on my Trex decking?

You can use rock salt otherwise known as calcium chloride to melt snow and ice on your decking. Once the conditions are safe you should then rinse off any left-over salt.

Find your local Trex Installer

Trex have approved TrexPro installers all over the world.