Fading issues are unpredictable and hard to understand. Some Trex decking will have problems and others of the same type will not. This leads us to believe variables in the manufacturing process makes fading worse or better depending on what’s done at the factory. The deck boards look exactly the same, but don’t always perform the same when in the field. Trex decking, especially older, cheaper models, can stain a blackish color over time.

Trex Composite Decking Company Information

• Some capstock manufacturers, such as Fiberon and Timbertech, now guarantee some of their products against excessive fading.
• Capstock deck boards, with their plastic shell, fade less than uncapped composite boards.
• On their own website and in their own literature they state decking will fade and even give guidelines in their warranty regarding how much fading should occur and how much would be covered.
• Most will fade a little bit because the exposed material is plastic, the fading is minimal.

I just received my TREX offer letter in the mail. The offer is to cover the cost of the boards and $13.00 extra.(I presume for labor.) A custom designed and built deck and the labor to replace faulty material is worth $13? TREX and the lawyers are really making out well off the backs of the people. I feel sorry for people in corporations that can live like that.

Decking

Hardwoods—all woods, really—should be certified by the Forest Stewardship Council. The main competitor to composite decking in the early years was pressure-treated lumber.

Some competitors only offer 3-sided capped composite boards, which leave a full side of their boards exposed to the elements. Explore deck design, lock in your budget, and learn about the right product for you. I also purchased Trex product in 2004 and I installed it to the manufacturers recommendations and had to go through the pictures and having someone come out because it was flaking away. They replaced the material and now it is falling apart again. I am a Cabinet Maker by trade so I know I installed it right, and there is not one 90 degree cut its all angles.

Typically if you install Trex decking on a 45 degree angle you need 12″ o.c. Setting the gaps for your deck boards is a tricky issue. Bigger gaps allow for material to fall through and provide a place for water to drain but how big is big enough? This is where Trex hidden deck fasteners come into play. They not only look great because you don’t see the screws but they also set each gap perfectly. Just install the fasteners and deck boards, your gaps will all be perfect.

In comparison to PT wood, composite decking does have advantages. For example, PT wood must be restained and/or resealed every few years while composite does not. A significant attraction to composite decking is how many colors it comes in. Coupled with being sold as low-maintenance and not needing surface treatments leads homeowners to believe their new deck will look the same for its entire lifespan. Composite decking is often sold as a close to a waterproof material as you can get. While more advanced composite is exceptionally resistant to water, this doesn’t mean that mold isn’t capable of growing.

Its TruLast Technology uses heat, pressure and an organic compound to expand the wood’s cell walls and minimize water absorption and make the deck last longer, the company says. But composite decking hasn’t always lived up to its potential. Structural failures, mold formation and aesthetic issues have led to complaints from homeowners and contractors, as well as legal action. Clean, mold-free decks are a fantastic place to peacefully enjoy your home - a clean deck is a happy deck. No matter what type of decking material you have, you can save yourself lots of heartache and add years of enjoyment by keeping your deck clean and mold-free.

Trex Composite Decking Reviews: Transcend, Enhance And Select

Each line boasts a cap that resists mold, mildew, and moisture damage and offers superior surface protection. Some competitors offer capped composites, but take board-compromising shortcuts to help pinch pennies. Fungi can be in black, white, green, yellow, fuzzy, slick, multi-cellular or single-celled; mold takes all shapes and forms. While mold only needs moisture to live, spores love organic materials to feast upon.

For a neater look, many composite decks are attached to joists using hidden fasteners so there are no visible screws on top. They also clean up nicely with soap and water if needed. Get tips on how to find the right materials for your deck. Composite decking cost is measured by square feet; it’s about $35 per sq. This will vary depending on the exact material you choose and may not include labor. In fact, every cap that TimberTech produces, including for theTimberTech AZEK® Deckingline andTimberTech EDGE™ Deckingline, contains ZERO organic materials. Each blend is different because each line offers different core makeups to suit the needs of homeowners.

A ranch, raised ranch, or contemporary house style can work well with many deck designs. It's more challenging to make a deck work with older styles, such as Tudor, colonial, or 1920s bungalow.

Generally, however, buried somewhere in their cleaning and maintenance instructions, manufacturers will recommend a stain for use on their decks. But, if you stain the composite, you have to periodically re-stain the composite. Manufacturers are silent as to how often re-staining may be required but our experience is that it should be done every 3-7 years, or at about the same schedule as a wood deck. Con­sis­tent­ly and accurately extruding a product – basically, cramming a hot, doughy mixture of plastic and wood through a specially shaped opening is hard enough. Creating composites and PVC often is compared to cooking but lots of chefs would be sorely tested if they tried to whip up a deck board or piece of trim. That's because, unlike in a kitchen, you can't count on the ingredients being consistent from one day to the next.

Ceramic-coated screws come in several colors, which helps them blend in. The width of the decking, its color and finish, and the design of the railing are important design elements.