Trex Decking

Maintenance-Free & Environmentally Friendly Trex Decking

Imagine the freedom of spending leisurely afternoons lounging on your maintenance-free Trex decking with friends and family versus the arduous and messy task of sanding, resealing, and staining a traditional wood deck.

There is no need to cut down trees to make environmentally friendly Trex decking. It is a unique combination of at least 50% recycled wood and plastic fibers including sawdust and used pallets from woodworking operations, and recycled plastic grocery bags from all over the country. It features the best qualities of both materials and keeps 300,000 tons of plastic and wood scrap out of landfills every year. Trex reclaimed product resources are closely screened for high quality standards before being accepted by a Trex plant for manufacture.

Trex Company, Inc. is a member of The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), the nation's foremost coalition of leaders from every sector of the building industry. Their environmental responsibility extends to their manufacturing facilities where proprietary processing methods eliminate smokestacks, and factory run-off is recycled back into the manufacturing line. Hydraulically powered trailers used in the plant run on vegetable-based oil, and even the packaging of Trex decking utilizes recycled paper and plastic as much as possible.

Comparison of Decking Materials

It's a good idea to compare decking materials before deciding which type of decking would best suit your lifestyle and design specifications.

Wood

There's no question, a wood deck is absolutely beautiful! However, with 100% wood decking there's always that annoying little voice in your head reminding you of chores that become the nagging bond you form with your outdoor space – the mantra that gets between you and complete freedom. Mow the lawn, trim the hedges, stain the deck, then mow the lawn, trim the hedges, and re-stain the deck. Trex decking takes you beyond routine, to a place where you can relax all summer long, year after year, and still enjoy the authentic looking richness of wood grain.

Wood presents a host of problems as it weathers and requires diligent regular maintenance to prevent it from rotting, cracking, splintering, and warping. An aging, poorly maintained deck is also an invitation to nature's most industrious little composters, the carpenter ant. In fact, breaking down the organic debris that is your quickly disintegrating wood deck is the carpenter ant's greatest passion.

Plastic

Decking that is primarily composed of plastic, often in the form of 90-93% recycled milk jugs mixed with fiberglass, first appeared on the decking scene in the mid-90's and continues to be an expensive and much less authentic looking alternative to both real wood, and wood and plastic products. While there are many viable plastic decking products available, they continue to be perceived by the public as slippery when wet, even if they're not. Plastic decking's high glare and limited workability also makes it considerably less attractive than the composites. However, plastic does not stain like composites and can be used in structural supports.

Composites: Wood and Plastic

One of the downsides of composites is that they may require more joists (horizontal supporting beams made of wood) which will increase the overall cost, and composite deck material compared with lumber can be about 50 to 70 percent more, depending on the region and market. However, although the up-front cost may be more than treated wood, a homeowner stands to save thousands on maintenance costs over the deck's lifespan.

When shopping for composites, ask the manufacturer about staining, color fade, and molds and mildew. Most composite manufacturers offer detailed cleaning instructions, but it is important to be aware of the limitations of the product. Composite manufacturers are continually upgrading the product so the gaps are closing fast between wood and composites.

Fans of composite decking say the straightness and overall consistent look of the boards are worth the tradeoffs but the bottom line is, one should research thoroughly before deciding on composite decking, then check out the various manufacturers like Trex, TimberTech, CertainTeed, and LP.

Characteristics of Trex Decking Surface

By marrying the most sought after features of both wood and plastic and eliminating the negatives, Trex decking has become the leading brand of alternative decking lumber in North America. The plastic component in Trex decking shields the wood from moisture and insect damage, so there's no rotting or splintering. The wood component protects the plastic from UV damage and gives your deck a solid, natural feel just like a genuine wood deck. This list of the best characteristics of wood and plastic integrated in the Trex decking surface is a handy reference when shopping for decking materials:

• Rich wood grain texture and color (like wood)
• Smooth contemporary surface (like plastic)
• No staining required (like plastic)
• No harmful chemicals (like plastic)
• No splintering, cracking or warping (like plastic)
• Minimal shrinkage/swelling from moisture (like plastic)
• Insect–resistant (like plastic)
• Outstanding workability (like wood)
• Slip-resistant whether wet or dry (like wood)
• Minimal glare (like wood)
• Cuts, fastens, routs, and paints easily (like wood)
• Low thermal expansion and contraction (like wood)
• Natural UV resistance (like wood)

Beautiful & Customizable

Trex decking is a perfect complement to any home or cottage and offers countless opportunities for creative expression. From its complete design flexibility like customized shapes, curves, and bends not possible with wood or plastic decking, to its extraordinary selection of patterns, distinct finishes, and a rich color palette like Expresso, Cayenne, Burnished Amber, Acorn, Sahara, Pewter, Saddle, Winchester Grey, andWoodland Brown, Trex decking empowers you to create your own unique outdoor space.

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