What type of composite decking is best?

Trex Decking

Among composite decking brands, Trex is an industry leader. The company offers the largest selections for those on a budget. Their decking is easy to use, making it the best DIY option. Due to how the decking is made, the boards are easy to install.

What composite deck is best?

TimberTech AZEK products are perhaps the best (and most expensive) of all the composite decking manufacturers. Its capped polymer boards are covered by a 50-year fade and stain warranty. Additional product lines include TimberTech Pro with 30-year warranties and TimberTech Edge with 25-year warranties.

Are there different grades of composite decking?

Trex offers three tiers of composite decking—Transcend, Enhance, and Select. These are considered “good,” “better,” and “best,” with Transcend being best, Enhance being better, and Select being good.

How do I choose a composite deck?

Choose composite lumber decking based on your budget; style and color preferences; fastener choice; and site and code requirements. Quality composite decking, like Trex decking, is two to three times costlier than pressure-treated wood but lasts two to three times longer.

What is the most scratch resistant composite decking?

In our experience, Trex Transcend is the most durable product on the market. It resists scratching far better than any of the other options.

Ipe vs. Composite vs. PVC vs. Cedar: Which Decking is Best?

Which is better azek or Trex?

When comparing Trex vs Azek, there are Pros and Cons to both materials. Azek is quite a bit more expensive due to how it's made but it's a great long term value that's more durable than Trex. However, premium grade Trex isn't cheap, it's also very durable but has a more natural look and feel than Azek.

Is TimberTech or Trex more scratch resistant?

Although Timbertech and Trex are tough materials, they can still be scratched. However, when tested for scratch resistance, Trex tends to be more resistant than Timbertech.

Is hollow or solid composite decking better?

It's usually a lot cheaper than solid decking and it can look perfectly good on the surface. But the difference in quality lies beneath the surface. Hollow deck boards have relatively poor structural stability. Solid decking, on the other hand, has a higher density and weight that makes it durable and long lasting!

Is Trex decking worth the money?

Trex decks are worth it because you get what you pay for. They cost more than a treated lumber one, making up for your extra outlay of cash at the onset, and will last for years longer than the average treated deck, letting you more than recoup your investment. Trex decks are also low maintenance.

Is composite decking slippery when wet?

Most composite decking is slippery compared to wood decking when wet. The polymer cap of the decking repelling the water, creating potential slipping hazards. There are some notable composite decking exceptions, that provide excellent traction both when wet and dry.

What are the disadvantages of Trex decking?

Does Trex Select scratch easily?

Unlike painted wood decks, Trex or any composite decking won't scratch or scuff easily. It's also highly resistant to marring (the disfiguration or sheen that you sometimes see after dragging a heavy object across a wood deck). Beyond that, Trex decking is also resistant to fading, staining, mold and mildew.

Is Trex Select better than Trex Enhance?

Trex Select is also considered slightly more scratch-resistant than Enhance, and the line comes in one more color. Trex Select's five color options have a bit more range to them, from the warm, reddish Madeira to the rich, cool Winchester Gray.

How much does a 20x20 composite deck cost?

If we assume a 20' x 20' deck, then a rough estimate for pressure treated wood would be around $3,000, whereas the same deck built with a high-quality composite material might cost around $5,600¹.

Is there a cheaper version of Trex?

Generally speaking, Trex and Fiberon offer the least expensive options while TimberTech and AZEK come in on the higher end. However, keep in mind that the higher-tiered grades of Trex are more expensive than the lower-tiered grades of Timbertech so it's important to make sure you're comparing apples to apples.

Does Trex decking get hot?

Like many other outdoor surfaces, such as concrete, asphalt, beach sand, wood decking, other brands of composite decking, etc., Trex decking can get hot due to weather and sun exposure.

How much does a 12x12 Trex deck cost?

Trex Decking Cost Per Square Foot

The materials cost for a Trex deck with substructure, decking and fasteners included, generally falls into the range of $9 to $16 per square foot.

What is the lifespan of Trex decking?

Trex and TimberTech Composite Decking Warranties

Composite decks have a lifespan of at least 25 to 30 years — and they have warranties to match.

Is composite decking worth the extra cost?

While they often cost more than wood, composite materials offer the promise of greater durability and less maintenance. Wood is still the most common choice for deck material,¹ but it doesn't last forever. Composites may be more durable, but they might lack the natural look and color you are looking for.

Will composite decking warp?

Your composite deck may not warp, but it can sag and buckle. Most sagging is caused by improper spacing between the joists when it is installed. Also, thermal expansion, the fluctuation of temperatures, can have a more significant effect on composite decking than on natural wood decking.

Do composite boards rot?

While composite decks won't rot and are considered more durable than wood, it doesn't mean they're completely safe from damage. Patio furniture or debris from a passing storm may scratch the surface. Unlike wood, which you can sand and refinish, composite decking can't be refinished.

Is TimberTech more expensive than Trex?

The Trex boards are also slightly cheaper than the Timbertech boards, with both pricing their product in different tiers that raise in price as you go up the tiers.

Does TimberTech get hot?

*Although TimberTech AZEK decking products are cooler to the touch than many other deck board products, all decking products will get hot in the sun. Additionally, the darker the decking color, the hotter it will feel.

Which is more expensive Trex or azek?

There's no getting around this one—Trex and Azek decking is significantly more expensive than traditional wood decking. Price out Azek decking vs Trex for an identical project, and you'll quickly find Trex is the cheaper option, with Azek coming in at 2 to 3 times the cost, per linear board foot, of Trex.