Trex

Trex composite decking is for homeowners building or replacing a deck who want less upkeep than pressure-treated lumber. You get choices in color and board profile, with periodic cleaning still part of the job.

Trex Company, Inc. makes composite decking, residential railing and related outdoor products. The company is based in Winchester, Virginia, and became an independent company in 1996. Its decking combines reclaimed wood with recycled plastic film.

Select or Enhance: what changes on your job?

New Trex Select shades incorporate SunComfortable Technology. If sun exposure is a deciding concern, that feature belongs in the comparison. Match it to the exact shade you’re considering, since the feature is identified with new Select shades.

Trex Enhance boards have a scalloped profile that reduces their weight. Lighter boards make carrying easier, particularly when the deck is reached by stairs. That’s a practical handling benefit.

Your material cost varies with the region, site and season. A useful Select-versus-Enhance comparison holds the deck layout constant and identifies the exact colors. Compare complete estimates for that same layout, including railing, stairs, fascia and fasteners.

Trex’s Cost Calculator helps with budgeting. The full project estimate also needs framing and labor. The easy mistake is counting the walking surface and forgetting everything around its edges. Put stair runs and railing lengths on the drawing before estimating the job.

Choose the color at deck level

Select includes Pebble Grey and Saddle. Enhance adds choices such as Clam Shell, Rocky Harbor and Toasted Sand. Transcend includes Island Mist, Havana Gold and Spiced Rum.

A small color image is a starting point. A sample laid flat lets you judge the surface in the position it will occupy. Look at it where the deck will sit, both from outdoors and through the door or window overlooking the deck.

For a deck used barefoot, shade belongs in the layout discussion alongside board color. Plan shade over the area where you’ll spend the most time sitting or walking.

Match the fasteners to the board edge

The board edge decides the fastening choice. Trex Hideaway Universal Hidden Fastener Clips are designed for grooved decking. Hideaway Color-Match Screws and Hideaway Plugs are intended for square-edge decking.

That choice affects the material list as soon as borders and stairs enter the design. Trex uses square-edge decking for stair treads and identifies fascia sizes for risers and deck edges. Sort the field boards, borders, stair treads and fascia before counting fasteners, and include the substructure material when matching the fastening system.

An existing frame needs the same attention as the new surface. Its condition and layout determine whether it can serve the project. Check the ledger connection, posts, beams and joists, then follow the selected decking’s instructions for spacing, gaps and fastening.

Plan the railing with the decking

Trex’s residential railing families include Transcend, Enhance, Select and Signature, with choices in profiles, colors and materials. The railing changes the view from the deck and the project total, so it belongs in the initial design.

Trex’s railing visualizer helps you compare appearances. A buildable parts list needs the layout behind that appearance. Map the posts, corners and stair runs using the selected railing system’s instructions.

Keep cleaning in the routine

Reduced upkeep is a practical reason to choose Trex when maintaining a wood deck has become a chore. Periodic cleaning remains part of ownership: dirt and pollen can feed mold and mildew, and spills can leave stains. Follow the decking’s care instructions and give spills prompt attention.

Winter care also depends on the surface. Use the care instructions to identify permitted deicers and snow-removal tools. Trex prohibits metal shovels and sharp-edged tools on the decking.

Service life depends on the complete build, including the frame, drainage and ongoing care. Trex requires proper installation, use and maintenance under its written instructions. Match the limited warranty to the exact decking and railing products in the project.

Product details

Product	Detail
Select decking	New shades incorporate SunComfortable Technology.
Select color examples	Pebble Grey and Saddle.
Enhance decking	Boards have a scalloped profile for reduced weight.
Enhance color examples	Saddle, Clam Shell, Beach Dune, Rocky Harbor, Toasted Sand, Foggy Wharf and Coastal Bluff.
Transcend color examples	Island Mist, Havana Gold, Spiced Rum, Tiki Torch, Lava Rock and Rope Swing.
Hideaway Universal Hidden Fastener Clips	Designed for grooved decking.
Hideaway Color-Match Screws and Hideaway Plugs	Intended for square-edge decking.
Stair-riser fascia	Trex labels 1 x 8 fascia for this use.
Deck fascia	Trex labels 1 x 12 fascia for this use.
Residential railing families	Transcend, Enhance, Select and Signature.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Trex decking worth it?

Trex makes sense when less upkeep than pressure-treated lumber is what you want from a new deck. You still have to clean it, and the surface isn’t stain-proof or fade-proof. The practical benefit is reducing the maintenance you’re taking on, with cleaning still part of the job.

What is a Trex deck made of?

Trex decking combines reclaimed wood with recycled plastic film. Those composite boards form the walking surface; your deck still needs a sound frame underneath. Replacing the boards doesn’t fix problems with the structure supporting them.

How do you install Trex decking?

Installing Trex starts with the selected board’s instructions for joist spacing, gaps and fastening. Hidden fastener clips are designed for grooved boards, while matching screws and plugs are intended for square-edge boards. Your material count also needs to account for butt joints and stair risers, and square-edge stair treads commonly use two boards front to back.

How long does a Trex deck last?

Trex offers limited residential warranties ranging from 25 to 50 years across its decking and railing. A warranty term isn’t a promised lifespan for your whole deck, and the coverage depends on the exact product. Proper installation, use and maintenance are conditions of that coverage, so the number of years alone doesn’t tell the whole story.

What’s the best cleaner for Trex decking?

For food and drink spills on Trex, soap and water are the starting point. You need to remove those spills within one week; the same deadline applies from the first appearance of mold or mildew. Strong solvents are excluded from stain-resistance coverage, so a tougher chemical isn’t automatically a better cleaner.