Your Comprehensive Guide To Trex Decking Reviews

Trex decking reviews can be found all over the internet and it is time we add our thoughts into the mix. For a detailed look at this innovative product range and the company behind it, keep reading.

Composite decking has been taking the world by storm since the very first patent was released back in 1995 and granted in 1998 in response to the harsh environmental consequences that our seemingly ingrained preference for wooden decking was causing. Trex Company, Inc., the topic of today’s article, was the brains behind the patent.

The company has stood the test of time and remains one of the leading manufacturers of wood-alternative decking today. But is its decking solution all it is cracked up to be? How good are its products really? And, importantly, are they worth the hefty price tag?

To make sure you don’t get ripped off by purchasing a product you don’t know enough about, allow me to assist you. I’m here to help you decide if the company deserves its reputation and whether or not its products are worthy of being on your property.

In today’s article, I’ll be discussing where to purchase Trex decking, its installation, cleaning and maintenance requirements, its pros and cons as well as providing you with information on its warranty policy and answers to your FAQs.

• Where To Purchase Trex Decking?
• Pros And Cons Of Trex Decking
• How To Clean Or Maintain Trex Decking
• How To Install Trex Decking
• Summary Of Warranty/Return Policies
• FAQs
• Conclusion

Where To Purchase Trex Decking?

The history of Trex is long and rich. The company has earned itself a reputation of being an eco-friendly organization as it takes materials destined for landfills and recycles them into flawlessly-finished composite flooring solutions.

In addition to being the first composite decking manufacturer, Trex is one of the largest suppliers in the industry today. As a result, it should come as no surprise that you can purchase Trex decking from just about anywhere.

Trex’s decking products are sold in more than 40 countries around the world and its impressive tri-product range is carried by more than 6,700 retail locations globally. Some of its notable US retail partnerships include those with Home Depot and Lowes.

Don’t know which product you want? Unsure of the right color option to match your home’s exterior? No problem! If you are inclined to try before you buy, you can do so with ease on the Trex website. Simply request a sample – which costs a mere $5 inclusive of tax and shipping – in your preferred color and enjoy door-to-door delivery.

Trex offers four tiers of composite decking options. These are Transcend, Enhance Naturals, Enhance Basics, and Select. The ranges are commonly referred to as Best, Better, Better, and Good in the order in which I listed them. You’ll find out why shortly.

Trex Enhance Basics reviews are plenty because this is the brand’s cheapest product range but the lower cost comes with decreased scratch resistance, only three color choices, and a scalloped profile.

Trex Enhance Naturals are slightly more expensive, available in five color options, and feature a scalloped profile. These boards also have a lower level of scratch resistance.

Trex Select is priced in the mid-range and is available in five color options. However, this range features a solid profile and is much more scratch resistant than the Enhance range.

Finally, we have the Trex Transcend. The most expensive of the bunch; these boards boast 5/5 scratch resistance, feature a solid profile, and are available in 10 color options.

Trex states on its website that the estimated cost of materials needed to build a composite deck is between $9 to $16 per square foot. This cost per square foot includes the decking itself, a substructure, railing, hardware, and add-ons. It also states that the size and shape of your deck plan contribute to the overall cost of materials.

Although it is somewhat frustrating not knowing what the cost will be upfront, for your convenience, there is a simple Trex Cost Calculator on the website. Simply select your country, enter your deck dimensions, state whether you already have a substructure, state whether your deck will have railing, and click “Calculate My Results.”

In terms of color options, you are simply spoilt for choice as Trex’s palette consists of 23 different colors in tones of gray, brown, and red. With so many incredible color options for you to pick from, you are bound to find the perfect hue that will match your ideal aesthetic and result in the deck of your dreams.

In the gray range, your options span from a cool Foggy Wharf gray down to a deep almost-black Winchester Grey. In the red range, your options include everything from an earthy Fire Pit shade to a bright Lava Rock shade. Finally, the brown range provides you with options starting with the palest Rope Swing and going all the way up to a deep Woodland Brown.

According to the Trex website, its three most popular color options are Tiki Torch brown, Spiced Rum brown, and Island Mist gray – all of which come from the Transcend Tropicals collection. Take one look at these hues and you’ll see why.

Pros And Cons Of Trex Decking

Pros

• Available at a plethora of retail outlets
• Made of 95% recycled materials
• Impressive warranty
• Assortment of color options
• Virtually maintenance free
• Easy to install
• Environmentally-friendly

Cons

• More expensive than other options
• Limited product range
• Pricing model is difficult to understand

How To Clean Or Maintain Trex Decking

Trex Enhance reviews are quick to mention that the cleaning and maintenance requirements associated with being a Trex decking owner are minimal. A bucket of hot soapy water and a soft bristle brush is all you need.

You could also use a special composite deck cleaner and a pressure washer with a PSI lower than 3,100 – whatever is most convenient for you. Cleaning and maintaining your deck couldn’t be any easier. 

For the removal of dirt and debris, simply spray the deck down using a hose to unlodge any surface debris before using a soft bristle brush and warm soapy water to clean the embossing pattern. If you have hard water staining, clean it using white wine vinegar and rinse after. To remove mold and mildew caused from pollen or dirt that has been left on the decking for some time, spray the deck down using a hose and give it a scrub using a soft bristle brush and warm soapy water.

It is recommended that you give the decking a good scrub immediately after installation and then a couple of times a year thereafter. Most people clean their decking at the start of a new season. In saying that, it is incredibly important to wipe up any food spills within 7 days with a cloth or soft bristle brush to avoid voiding your stain warranty.

Other than semi-regular cleaning, there are no other maintenance requirements. The days of sanding, staining, and painting decks are officially over! Unlike wood, composite decking is extremely easy to maintain and, with Trex products, you can say goodbye to issues such as warping, cracking, and rotting.

How To Install Trex Decking

Installing Trex decking is easy. Provided you have the right tools at hand, of course. Trex recommends you use a Miter saw, a Jigsaw, a standard impact drill, and a pneumatic gun for the fastener connectors as well as a router bit for crisp edges.

Tools aside, you’ll also need to ensure you are decked out in proper PPE (personal protective equipment), including safety glasses, gloves, a dust mask, and a long sleeved shirt. I also recommend wearing long pants and steel toe shoes if possible – rather safe than sorry after all.

Trex decking can be installed on timber, steel, or aluminum subframes and cannot be installed on a floating substructure. If you have to cut any boards – which is easy as the boards are extra long for customization purposes – be sure to coat the ends in an end-coat preservative treatment. Even though the boards are extra long, I do recommend purchasing 10% above and beyond what you estimate you’ll need just in case.

As Trex boards vary slightly in color, it is important to first mix and match them to achieve your perfect deck layout. Ensure you get an even mix of darker and lighter boards. Lay the boards out as you wish to install them to make sure the end result will be a visually appealing one.

Start on either end of the substructure and work your way inwards, drilling down the boards as you go. Your exact installation process will vary slightly according to the specific product you pick and whether the boards have a straight profile or a scalloped one.

Overall, the installation process is extremely straightforward and most DIYers that know their way around a tool box will have no problems, although it is not the most beginner-friendly of installations. Those who have experience in decking installation could do this with their eyes closed! There are numerous installation guides, videos, and training resources on the Trex website for those who need a helping hand.

Summary Of Warranty/Return Policies

What is the one thing that all Trex decking reviews seem to mention? Its warranty! Trex decking offers its customers peace of mind and ultimate purchase confidence with its impressive 25-year limited residential warranty and a 25-year warranty against fade and stain.

What I love most about the terms and conditions of its warranty is that it may be transferred once within five years of purchase. This means that if you sell your home, or move into a home with fresh Trex decking, the new buyer will be covered too.

Of course, no warranty is without its limitations and exclusions. For example, if you fail to clean up spills within 7 days of the spillage, your stain warranty will be voided. If you paint or coat the boards or damage it by means of a metal shovel or sharp-edged tool, the warranty will be voided.

In the unlikely event that you are not satisfied with your product, then you are free to return it within 90 days of your purchase as long as it is in its original packaging and hasn’t been damaged. You’ll need to return the boards back to the specific retailer that you purchased them from within the past 90 days.

FAQs

• What Is The Best Composite Decking Brand?
• How Well Does Trex Decking Hold Up?
• Does Trex Decking Scratch Easily? 
• What Are The Disadvantages Of Composite Decking?

What Is The Best Composite Decking Brand?

It should come as no surprise that Trex is amongst the best of the best composite decking brands. Other notable brands that are at the forefront of the industry include TimberTech, Dura-Life, Fiberon, and Cali-Bamboo.

Different composite decking brands are best in certain areas. For example, where quality and longevity is concerned, Trex is almost incomparable. In terms of affordability, Fiberon is the best for supplying high-quality boards for cheap prices.

How Well Does Trex Decking Hold Up?

Generally speaking, all Trex decking products hold up very well. They are designed to do so. The happy customers who double as the writers behind Trex Transcend decking reviews are quick to point out that Trex Transcend is amongst the most durable options on the market.

Plus, the 25-year limited residential warranty speaks volumes. This is a product that is specifically designed to hold up – and hold up well at that. Weather conditions, high levels of foot traffic, and the spills, splashes, and drops that are part of everyday life won’t stand a chance against Trex decking.

Does Trex Decking Scratch Easily?

No, Trex decking doesn’t scratch easily at all. All of Trex’s newer products are designed with scratch-resistant properties, which make them resistant to scratches, nicks, cracking, and splitting. You can rest assured your composite deck will remain free from scratches for a long time.

However, it is important to note that the boards are scratch-resistant and NOT scratch-proof. You also need to do your part in ensuring that it is not at risk of scratching by avoiding using sharp-edged tools and items that could puncture its surface – for the sake of your deck’s integrity and your warranty.

What Are The Disadvantages Of Composite Decking?

There are a handful of disadvantages associated with composite decking; these include the more expensive price point, permanent coloration – which means a lack of customization – and the UV damage that occurs over a long period of time.

But it is also important to examine the advantages before making our minds up. These include unsurpassed environmental friendliness, incredible durability, enhanced longevity, different color options, and ease of installation, cleaning, and maintenance. Plus, even though the initial cost to purchase and install a composite deck is more expensive than wooden ones, the expenses associated with maintaining a wooden deck are eliminated.

Conclusion

Overall, Trex decking is easy to install, comes in an assortment of attractive colors and is guaranteed to last a long time. These boards are superbly finished and look stylish and sophisticated. They’re available at a multitude of retail locations so you will have no problem getting your hands on some to try them out for yourself – or just order a sample directly from Trex.

But it is also more expensive than wood and other composite decking solutions offered by other brands. Ultimately, it is up to you to decide whether you want to splurge on the deck of your dreams by opting to go with a manufacturer that has – quite literally – paved the way for the rest of industry. I recommend that you read Trex Enhance composite decking reviews, shop around, and see how these boards fare up to competitor’s boards.

If you have any comments or first-hand experiences with Trex decking, please post them below or share your pictures via our social media.

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