TREX Decking: For Outstanding Durability! The combination of wood and plastic in Trex decking means it can stand up to anything Mother Nature dishes out! No rotting, cracking or splintering No need for sealants No water, sun or insect damage No end in sight! Ongoing weatherometer testing (equaling 20+ years) has shown no deterioration of performance All backed by a 10 year* transferable limited warranty. Click a link below to learn more about installing and using Trex:
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Trex Decking vs. Wood and Plastic
A Structural Note
Trex is NOT designed to perform as a one-for-one structural replacement for wood in all applications. It is not intended for primary structural load-bearing elements, such as posts, joists and beams. But for a wide range of uses, Trex provides unmatched durability, easy care and comfort.
Trex in the Long Run
In terms of performance, Trex does a lot of things that wood just can't. Because of its mixture of polyethylene and wood, untreated Trex absorbs virtually no water - a range of 1.7% to 4.0% moisture. Compare that to wood, which can absorb up to ten times more!
Once wood begins to absorb water, it expands and contracts, especially along its width. Cracking, splitting and rotting can follow shortly. Eventually, the cracks and other flaws ruin the structural integrity and the wood must be replaced. To prevent water damage, costly sealants must be reapplied regularly to wood. On the other hand, Trex never needs sealants... and never cracks, splits or rots.
With Trex, there are no more worries about splinters, costly replacement boards or preservatives like those used in wood.
Weathering
Both Trex and wood tend to fade with time - but there is a big difference. After 8-12 weeks of exposure to sunlight and moisture, Trex weathers to driftwood grey tones that it naturally maintains. On the other hand, wood continues to change color (and not always evenly) throughout its lifetime.
Costs
As a rule of thumb, Trex is comparably priced to most premium decking lumber. But when you factor in costs for stains, sealants, replacement boards and other maintenance over the next 10 years and beyond, Trex comes out well ahead.
Trex vs. Plastic
Don't confuse Trex's wood-polymer composition with plastic lumber. There are some very significant advantages to using Trex.
In terms of traction, Trex meets ADA standards for slip resistance - wet or dry. Trex has natural UV resistance. Plastic lumber doesn't. Most paints and stains adhere well to Trex, while standard paints cannot be used successfully on plastic lumber.
Most importantly, Trex maintains a significantly lower rate of expansion and contraction from thermal changes compared to plastic lumber. In hot weather, plastic can expand up to 6 times as much as Trex, causing plastic lumber to buckle and fasteners to shear. Because of this high expansion rate, plastic lumber must be laid down with large gaps between boards.
Fastening Trex Decking
Virtually any deck fasteners work well with Trex decking. Bolts, nails and screws can all be used. As with wood, spiral shank nails provide better holding in Trex decking than do common nails. Hot-dipped galvanized ceramic coated, or stainless steel nails and screws are highly recommended to take full advantage of Trex decking's durability.
Self-tapping or deck screws generally do not require pre-drilling. When using wood screws or lag screws, you should pre-drill all holes at 3/4 of the diameter of the actual screw. NOTE: Most screws will cause Trex decking to "mushroom" up over the screw head - simply tap down with a hammer to get a "counter sunk" look.
More force is required to drive a nail in Trex decking than with regular wood. When driving nails into Trex decking, make sure the nail is tapped in 1/2" to 3/4" before driving with full force. Nail guns with a minimum of 110 psi work exceptionally well with Trex decking.
During cold weather, Trex decking may become more stiff, due to its plastic content. In these cases, pre-drilling before nailing is recommended.
Gapping Trex Decking
As with any decking material, width-to-width board gapping is essential for drainage, as well as changes in dimension due to temperature. A gap of 3/16" will satisfy most installation conditions. However, larger gaps to 1/4" allow for easier cleaning and better drainage.
When joining Trex decking end-to-end, gapping is also required. The size of the gap required will depend on the length of the boards, the temperature at the time of installation, and the highest anticipated temperature in the local area.
As a rule of thumb, for 16' boards and smaller, allow 1/16" end gap for every 20 degrees Fahrenheit difference between installation temperature and the highest temperature expected during the year.
Cutting/Drilling Trex Decking
You can cut Trex decking just like regular wood. We recommend using carbide tipped blades and router bits. Blades with fewer teeth (18-24 for a 7 1/4" circular saw blade) provide the best results. Work with Trex decking as you would any wood; however, you need not worry about grain direction or knots... Trex decking doesn't have any!
When drilling large or deep holes, periodically lift the drill bit out of the hole to draw the shavings out.
Even though splintering is not a factor with Trex decking, it is still recommended that you cut Trex decking slowly for an even edge.
Sanding/Planing Trex Decking
Sand and plane Trex decking in the same way as regular wood. Because Trex decking has almost twice the density of most woods, expect less "bite" off the material per pass.
Painting/Staining Trex Decking
Trex decking can be stained or painted just like wood, although paints and sealants are not required for protection. Latex paints provide superior results. Oil-based products will take considerably longer to dry. No special priming or preparation is necessary for painting Trex decking, except that the surface should be wiped clean. When painting, apply to a test area or scrap piece to check color before continuing.
For best results when using stain or polyurethane, wait until the fading process for newly-installed Trex decking is complete (approximate 8-12 weeks) before applying. To speed up the weathering process, periodically spray water on your deck from a garden hose.
Cleaning Trex
Why is Cleaning Important?
All exterior building materials require periodic cleaning and a deck is no exception. Keeping a deck clean of dirt, mold and mildew is important for aesthetic reasons, but mold and mildew will not damage the Trex decking. Mildew will grow on any surface, if there is moisture, oxygen and a food source. Trex decking is a very poor food source for mildew, but materials, such as leaves, dirt and pollen, that are deposited on Trex decking can be used as a food source. This is the reason that cleaning any deck periodically is important in inhibiting mildew growth.
Test Description:
Trex decking was tested for cleaning methods and materials. This was done with Trex decking that had dirt, mold, mildew, rust, oil and grease on it. The Trex decking was cleaned by different materials and methods. testing on cleaning methods is an ongoing process at Trex Company.
Test Results for Mildew:
It is best to clean off the deck before mildew begins to grow. This will limit the chances of mold and mildew growth. If mold and mildew appear, then a deck wash containing sodium hypochlorite and a detergent should be used. The steps below have been found to produce the best cleaning results: Cover shrubs and plants with drop cloth. Sweep the deck clean of any debris and clean any clogged gaps. Apply a deck wash to a dry deck. Brush vigorously with a stiff broom or brush ( you should see a slight foaming appear). Let the deck wash sit for about 10 minutes. Rinse the deck clean. Let the deck dry and apply a second application of deck wash. Brush the deck wash in. Do not rinse. Note: A slight yellowing of the deck is normal and will fade in a matter of days. Remember NEVER mix any other cleaners with the deck wash. READ the instructions before use. Mildew spreads easily. If areas surround the deck have mildew, then the mildew could return to the deck. Proper gapping and regular cleaning of the Trex deck will significantly inhibit the onset of mildew growth. There is no 100% guarantee of success even after the best known measures have been taken.
Test Results for Rust Stains:
For Trex decking that has rust stains, ground-in dirt and grime use a cleaner that contains phosphoric acid. Use the cleaner full strength for tough areas, or diluted (per cleaner's instructions) with water for normal spots. Apply cleaner to a dry deck. Brush vigorously with a stiff broom or brush. Rinse the deck clean. Let the deck dry and repeat if necessary. Remember NEVER mix any other cleaners with the deck wash, READ the instructions before use.
Test Results for Oil & Grease Stains:
For oil and grease stain removal, use a cleaner with a degreasing agent. This should be done before the stain sets. If the stain has set, sand lightly with a medium grit sandpaper. The sanded area will be brown in color, but will again weather to gray in 8 - 12 weeks.
Test Results for General Cleaning:
General cleaning tips: Clean the gaps between the boards using a flat tool to allow water runoff. Clean the deck once a season with a deck cleaner (more times if necessary), using the above procedure. Clean your deck before mold and mildew appear.
