December 16, 2023
Providing the best decking options for your customers means you have to have your finger on the pulse of the market.
The increasing price of wood has made composite decking material a popular alternative to treated wood for many homeowners, and there are many manufacturers selling different types of composite decking. Part of what is driving this demand is the durability and low maintenance requirements of composite decking.
Though composite decking has a higher initial price, it’s a common investment when buyers consider the pros and cons of a treated wood deck versus a long-lasting composite alternative.
What Is Composite Decking?
Composite is a term that simply means “made of different parts,” and composite decking can sometimes be referred to as synthetic wood decking or faux wood decking.
Most composite decking on the market is made from a mix of recycled materials that include reclaimed wood and sawdust, some plastic products, and even repurposed newspapers and shopping bags. The wood in the composite mix is what adds stability to the decking.
There are other decking products on the market that are also known as composites:
- PVC Decking: This is a composite of various synthetic materials molded in the shape of a decking board. Generally speaking, there is no wood in PVC decking. It is 100% plastic.
- PVC Wrapped Decking: These deck boards are PVC decking with a hard vinyl shell on the outside, adding to their strength and beauty.
Being all plastic, PVC decking is more susceptible to shrinkage and swelling than regular composite decking due to changes in the weather. In some cases, this can also result in cracking and peeling. The best composite decking material for durability, real-wood looks and long-term satisfaction is wood-mixed composite decking like Trex.
Composite Decking vs. Wood
Wood decking advertises a limited-lifetime warranty, but the average lifespan is 10-25 years and is completely dependent upon how often the deck is cleaned and sealed. The wood may not completely wear out, but it begins to crack and twist early in its useful life. Wood will easily stain and is susceptible to rot, mold and termite damage.
Composite wood decking can last more than 25 years with proper maintenance and some products are even warrantied against fading and staining. Composites are resistant to rot, mold and termites, and require minimal maintenance as compared to wood. And one of the leading composite decking brands is Trex.
Hidden Fastener System
Trex makes their decking in both a grooved and solid configuration, giving your customers the flexibility of using a hidden fastener system for the main deck while using a finished board for the edge of the deck and the stairs. When installing the solid deck boards, they will need to be attached from above with screws. Trex offers color-matched screws or screws with a color-matched cap to provide a professional finish.
Want A Dry Area Under Your Dock
Trex® RainEscape® is a complete under-deck dry-in system that uses a network of troughs and gutters to divert water away from the deck. It also shields the area below from the sun, rain, snow and other elements. RainEscape can be used to add a new living area below a deck or to keep the ground below the deck dry. It is simple to install and is backed with a 20-year warranty.
Trex Enhance®: Great Value In Outdoor Composite Decking
The complete Trex product line provides value, durability and curb appeal for every budget, but one of the most popular is Enhance.
Enhance is a scalloped profile deck board that combines the durability of composites with the affordability of wood. It is lighter and therefore easier to handle than the non-scalloped boards. Trex Enhance is available in two configurations: Basics and Naturals.
Basics is available in three solid colors: Clam Shell, Beach Dune and Saddle. It is easy to install and maintain, and it is the perfect product to upgrade an existing deck surface.
Naturals offers four colors in addition to the three from the Basics line: Foggy Wharf, Rocky Harbor, Toasted Sand and Coastal Bluff. This upgrade to Basics provides a natural wood grain finish and multi-tonal streaking.
Enhance Basics and Naturals are both manufactured with a protective shell technology that resists fading and staining for up to 25 years.
Trex Railing Systems: The Perfect Partner to Trex Decking
Trex railing systems are manufactured with both aluminum and composite materials, and they can be configured with wire mesh inserts, glass panels, pre-welded metal pickets and rods.
They can also be custom ordered to include curves in the design. The railing packages offered are:
● Trex Signature® Railing
● Trex Transcend Railing
● Trex Select Railing
Each system offers varying components, so your customers are sure to find a combination that fits their budget and design needs.
Composite Decking Maintenance
The only maintenance recommended for the new Trex decking lines — such as Enhance, Transcend and Select — is a gentle washing with soap and water. Pressure washing is not normally required, but if used, a pressure washer with no greater than 3100 psi** that has a fan attachment/adjustment and soap dispenser may be used to remove dirt or mud. Hard water stains can often be removed with white vinegar (and you shouldn’t use hard water to rinse off).
Additional Products Offered
Trex also has other products that will enhance the look of your home. They have outdoor lighting packages, pergolas, furniture, lattice, as well as a line of outdoor fire and water features. Trex even has a cornhole game!
Composite Decking Pricing
The entire Trex product line is priced in line with the other major suppliers of high-quality composite deck boards and railing systems. They can provide value at every price point for your customers.
Trex Stands Behind Their Products
It’s easy to talk about how well a product performs, but it’s another altogether to back it with a warranty that guarantees it. Trex Transcend, Enhance and Select each provides a 25-year limited warranty against material defects and a 25-year limited warranty against fade and stain. Trex also offers a 25-year limited warranty on their Signature/Reveal railing systems.
U.S. LUMBER Is Your Best Source for Composite Decking
We are in the business of providing the highest quality products to our vendors and their communities. Trex composite decking is just one of the many specialty building products that we offer, and we invite you to contact us today or ask your rep for more information.