If you are interested in installing composite decking on your outdoor area, then it’s crucial to read Trex decking review so you know what to expect from the deck.
Composite deck has experienced significant increasing popularity, especially in the past decade.
Many homeowners prefer composite planks to wood. Trex is one of the first companies that produce, patent, and sell this decking styles.
They have gone through long years of existence and production, so it is worth checking what they have to offer.
About Trex Decking
As it was mentioned before, Trex is one of the first flooring manufacturers that produce composite decking.
They are also one of the biggest (decking) companies in the global scale. With this fact in mind, it is quite comforting to know that it would be easy to find the products in the local specialty stores or the hardware store.
Trex decking products have been sold in all over the world, in 40 different countries. They are also one of the companies with eco-friendly concern with quality performance.
Trex Decking Types
One thing to like about Trex, according to Trex decking review, is the easy options. The company won’t overwhelm you with tons of options and choices.
When it comes to products, the products can be broken down into 3 series. And the company has the Good, Better, and Best categories.
- Trex Transcend style comes with 1-inch and 2-inch square, and 1-inch grooved profile. It has 3 different lengths in 12-foot, 16-foot, and 20-foot with 5.5 inches of width. There are 10 colors available.
- Trex Select style comes with 1-inch and 2-inch square, and 1-inch grooved profile. It has 3 different lengths in 12-foot, 16-foot, and 20-foot with 5.5 inches of width. There are 5 colors available.
- Trex Enhance Naturals style comes with 1-inch scalloped or grooved and square profile. It has 3 different lengths in 12-foot, 16-foot, and 20-foot with 5.5 inches of width. There are 5 colors available.
- Trex Enhance Basics style comes with 1-inch scalloped or grooved and square profile. It has 3 different lengths in 12-foot, 16-foot, and 20-foot with 5.5 inches of width. There are 3 colors available.
About Trex Transcend Style
This is the premium line of the company. This is considered the greenest product because 95% of the materials are from recycled materials.
The product is available in 3 different profiles with 10 color options so they have basically everything for everyone.
This line has limited 25-year warranty that protects against staining and fading. Based on Trex decking review (and many of them), the products have good and even impressive performance on those areas.
You will have no problem scrubbing the boards with water and soap, and you won’t have to worry about sanding or staining them again.
- Transcend Earth Tones Classic
These collections are created for minimum maintenance. Scratches, stains, and molds won’t be a problem.
There would be 5 colors with earthy and simple tones, like Tree House, Vintage Lantern, Rope Swing, Gravel Patch, and Firepit.
There are also tropical shades including Tiki Torch, Spiced-Rum, Island Mist, Lava Rock, and Havana Gold.
- Transcend Tropicals Premium
This is also another line for homeowners wanting to have various color options but with eco-friendly feature.
When compared to other styles (within the company), the price range may be higher, but it has better scratch resistance feature. Another perk is that this is the only series having porch boards too.
About Trex Select
If you are a bit low on the budgets, then the Trex Select is more suitable for you. According to the company, this is their simplified version of the flagship products.
However, the important features are still included, which makes most homeowners happy and satisfied.
The biggest difference of Transcend and Select is the color option. In Select, there are only 5 colors available although they look somewhat different. The colors are Woodland Brown, Winchester Grey, Saddle, Pebble Grey, and Madeira.
These boards, however, aren’t as sturdy as the premium product meaning that their scratch resistance feature isn’t as good. And they don’t have any porch boards.
It’s a good thing that the boards still have their high-performance shell, which will make the boards look fresh and clean for many years ahead.
Let’s not forget about the easy maintenance either. They are coming in standard lengths and sizes. They also have 25-year of warranty for stains and fading.
About Trex Enhance
This is the last line in Trex’s products. This line has two different grades of Good and Better. With scalloped form, they are easy to manage and they are super light.
If you are planning on saving money and you want to have a DIY project, then this would be the perfect pick.
Enhance Basics is the simple option between the two options. There are only 3 different hues of Saddle, Clam Shell, and Beach Dune.
On the contrary, Enhance Naturals offer 5 colors of Coastal Bluff, Foggy Wharf, Rocky Harbor, Toasted Sand, and Sunset Cove.
The Naturals have wood-like appearance and effect, but they have limited size of your preference.
Both the Basics and Naturals have standard widths and lengths, despite the fact that 2-inch (grooved) boards aren’t exactly the option with this line.
The price for Enhance Basic is ideal for budget-friendly project, and yet you can still enjoy the 25-year of warranty and all of the benefits.
Buying Trex Composite Decking
Whereas the standard decking is considered specialty product and they aren’t easy to find at local big box retailers, that’s not the case with Trex products.
You can find the products at Lowes, Home Depot, or 84 Lumber, especially if you want to see the products and feel them directly.
84 Lumbers don’t provide any stock or supply online right now, so you need to contact them and ask them if they have any available stock.
You can check the supply at Home Depot or Lowes through online, but if you want to see the collections, you need to call first.
The company may not be able to ship the products directly to you, but they can ship to the local store you can take your items with you then.
Besides those retailers, you should have no issue finding Trex Composite Decking at different smaller hardware and dealers all over America.
This is another thing to like about Trex, according to Trex decking review.
The Cost
The Trex decking review says about the variations of price with this product. The breakdown is:
- Trex Transcend series with 1-inch of thickness is sold at $56 for 12-foot board, $75 for 16-foot board, and $100 for 20-foot board. For the 2-inch of thickness, it is sold for $70 for 12-foot board, $95 for 16-foot board, and $120 for 20-foot board. The 20-foot board can cover 9 square feet of an area.
- Trex Select series with 1-inch of thickness is sold at $35 for 12-foot board, $46 for 16-foot board, and $58 for 20-foot board. For the 2-inch of thickness, it is sold for $50 for 12-foot board, $68 for 16-foot board, and $85 for 20-foot board.
- Trex Enhance Naturals series with 1-inch of thickness is sold at $35 for 12-foot board, $46 for 16-foot board, and $58 for 20-foot board.
- Trex Enhance Basics series with 1-inch of thickness is sold at $22 for 12-foot board, $30 for 16-foot board, and $38 for 20-foot board.
Pros and Cons
As it was mentioned before, Trex is one company in the decking industry that has undergone obstruction during their first years. They did make some mishaps during their first manufacturing period.
That’s why there were many negative Trex decking review during the first decades. However, things have changed after 2008, especially since Ron Kaplan became the CEO.
This is the time when the Transcend products were made offering longer warranty and having better quality.
Because of their developments, they have become one of the best brands in composite decking industry. Most professionals and homeowners claimed such a thing.
There are some positive things to like about the brand, such as:
- Trex products are easy to find and purchase.
- The price range is nice perfect for those with limited budgets and those want to have DIY projects.
- The color options are quite satisfying and good, with good pricing for the low-end and mid-range products.
However, the brand isn’t completely perfect. There are some downsides, such as:
- The options are limited because they don’t have as many products or series especially when compared to other brands.
- The 25-year warranty is solid and nice (just like offered by Zuri). However, it isn’t as satisfying or long as Timbertech.
In the overall ratings, Trex is 3.7 from 5 based on Trex decking review.
- In terms of green rating: 4
- In terms of style options or color ranges: 3
- In terms of scratch resistance: 4
- In terms of overall quality: 3
- In terms of stain resistance: 4
- In terms of UV resistance: 4
Common FAQs
They introduced the next decking generation in 2010 with better fade and stain resistance. In 2014, their previous line phased out and they have stopped producing the line.
Yes, but it depends on the type of collection. Transcend and Select have Blass B rating while Enhance has Class C rating. The Elevation substructure (of the company) has Class 1A rating.
Yes, and even if you do so, you won’t void the warranty provided that you implement and use the CustomCurve system (from Trex).
The cheapest and quickest way is to get free (but small) sample through the local dealer or any local retailer selling the products. Or you can directly contact Trex to get big samples (up to 12 inches) for $5 plus handling and shipping.
Depending to elemental exposure, the deck should settle down and adjust itself and then get the final look after 12 weeks to 16 weeks, based on Trex decking review and the company.
No, and it isn’t advised either. The boards are produced with protective finish on them, so staining or painting them would void the warranty.
Yes, but you can only do it on Trex Transcend. The company already suggests setting the power below 1500 PSI. Using the pressure washer on any of the company’s deck would void the warranty.
Those are the general facts about Trex decking and their various series. Make sure to thoroughly read the Trex decking review, especially after 2010, so you get the idea of how the deck would hold up.
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