Trex composite decking and railing are getting a lot of buzz lately. That’s because this innovative, low-maintenance home improvement provides real value. The initial investment is more than what you’d spend on pressure-treated wood, but in terms of reduced maintenance costs over time, it’s an excellent choice.
The trex company started in 1988, when founder Jim Wittenberg developed a way to bind recycled plastic film—from the bottoms of grocery bags and other waste materials—with recycled wood fibers. The result was a wood substitute that is strong and durable enough to hold a full load of people walking on it—and that doesn’t splinter or twist as it ages, warp or decay. In fact, the material is so strong and dependable that it comes with a 25-year limited residential fade and stain warranty.
Since then, the trex company has grown from manufacturing a nonstructural component of deck construction to making a whole system of outdoor living products that are based on its low-maintenance composite. The company now sells Trex Transcend, Enhance and Select line composite decking; as well as Trex Outdoor Lighting, railings and gates. It has also acquired manufacturing and technology for a complete deck-building system, along with a full line of outdoor furniture and pergolas.
All three of the trex composite decking lines offer some level of protection against wear, fading and staining. The best, Transcend, is capped on three sides with a tough shell. This adds to the beauty and longevity of the decking boards, while further reducing maintenance to simple soap-and-water cleaning. The other two trex lines aren’t capped, but they do offer a high level of stain resistance.
Regardless of the line you choose, all trex composite decking is manufactured from recycled materials. The company focuses on sustainability in a big way, saving billions of pounds of plastic film and reclaimed wood from ending up in landfills each year. It even runs a school recycling challenge for students to participate in.
Trex’s composite decking is available at over 6,700 retail locations, including Home Depot and Lowe’s. You can use the trex decking finder on the company’s website to locate a retailer near you. The company also has a network of professional installers to help you get the job done right. They will ensure that the decking is properly framed and that the joists are supported by proper supports. They can also address the issues that arise during construction, such as large temperature swings and changes in moisture content that cause wood framing to expand or shrink and shift around. These movements can impact the fit of the composite decking boards and may lead to gaps. Using proper fasteners will minimize these problems and prevent them from becoming a serious problem in the future. Trex composite decking also resists mold, mildew and fungus, so you can enjoy your deck all season long. It’s worth noting that a composite deck gets hot in the sun, so it’s important to install a shade or plan for regular water spraying to cool things down.