Composite decking—like Trex—is a blend of plastic film and wood fibers. The plastic film that goes into composite decking can include polypropylene or polyethylene. These plastics work well with wood fibers to create a strong, resilient material that is more stable than 100% plastic decking.

Is Trex better than wood?

The composite material is touted as superior to traditional wooden decking because it is resistant to weather, needs less maintenance and is stain-proof. … With a Trex deck, you can wipe up the blemish with a wet paper towel and the surface is as good as new. Natural decking tends to splinter over time; composites don’t.

Is a Trex deck worth it?

Composite decking is worth the money. It costs more upfront, but thanks to minimal maintenance costs and long life, the annual cost for the life of the fence is significantly cheaper for composite materials. If what you have in mind are the Trex decks of 15 years ago, you’d be surprised to see how far they’ve come.

What is Trex flooring made of?

Trex decking is made from 95% recycled materials, including reclaimed wood and sawdust as well as recycled plastic from many common household items, such as the plastic overwrap on packaging for paper towels and toilet paper, dry cleaner bags, newspaper bags, grocery and shopping bags.

Is Trex flooring expensive?

How much does Trex cost per linear foot? The average cost for Trex composite decking is $14.74 per square foot, while on the high end, deck can run up to $37.59 per square foot. This includes materials plus installation by a professional.

What are the disadvantages of composite decking?

• A pricey alternative to wood. Durability comes at a cost, as composite decking is more expensive than wood. …
• Composites aren’t natural. …
• Composite decks aren’t completely maintenance free. …
• You’ll need to comparison shop.

Does Trex decking get slippery?

Trex decking is a low-maintenance decking solution that requires a fraction of the work of wood decks and is less likely to get slippery when wet. It still requires occasional attention to keep it looking its best, but you’ll be delighted with the finished results.

Can you put a hot tub on Trex deck?

A hot tub or spa full of water can exert as much as 112 lbs per square foot of decking. A fraction of the 500lbs or more of concentrated load most composite decking can support. Making composite decking strong enough for under and around a hot tub.

How expensive is a Trex deck?

Trex Decking Cost Trex decking costs $1,600 to $9,600, averaging about $4,800. That’s $5 to $12 per square foot for just decking boards and $5 to $15 per square foot for installation.

Does Trex fade over time?

Trex decking is a composite decking material that has taken most of the risk out of deck fading. While their earlier product lines did have some fading, newer product lines have eliminated most fading concerns to the point that they offer a 25 year warranty against fading and warping.

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Can I put Grill on Trex deck?

Yes, Gas grills are safe to use on a composite deck. Composite decking is designed to a minimum of Class C fire rating similar to wood decking. … As an extra layer of protection, people will often place a grill mat or pad to protect the decking from both heat and spills.

Can dogs nails scratch Trex decking?

Composite decking mimics the look of natural wood, but without the upkeep. While it’s much more scratch resistant than wood, it’s not totally scratch proof. With enough gusto, your pooch could still leave permanent marks.

Why is Trex decking so expensive?

The first reason why composite decking is expensive is that they’re not an expenditure. … Composite decking materials are designed to be resistant to mold, mildew, and rot. There’s no chance of any bug damage. It may be a hefty price upfront, but it does end up saving you a ton of money in the long run.

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.

How many Trex boards do I need for a 12x12 deck?

Board lengthBoards required8 FT20612 FT13716 FT10320 FT83

How much does a 20x20 composite deck cost?

Composite Deck QualityCost Per Square Foot InstalledAverage Total CostEntry-Level Composite Deck$20$5,821National Average Cost$28$8,064Premium Composite Deck$38$10,826

Does Trex decking melt?

Trex decking will soften as low as 176 degrees Fahrenheit. … A fire-resistant material is installed under the fire pit and a protective “wall” made of stone or other fire resistant material is installed to hold the fire pit in place and also to protect the decking from heat.

What is the lightest composite decking?

• Bamboo. 31-53 lbs/ft3 (500-850 kg/m3)
• LongLeaf Pine. 41 lbs/ft3 (650 kg/m3)

Can you put ice melt on Trex decking?

Calcium chloride or rock salt also can be used to melt the snow and ice from the deck surface. … If you own one of the older generation Trex composite decks, such as Accents®, calcium chloride or rock salt may be used but should be rinsed off as soon as possible.

Does Trex get moldy?

Composite decking materials are made from a combination of wood fibers and plastic. Several manufacturers have been involved in class-action lawsuits, largely because consumers claim the wood lookalike harbors mold. Trex, a popular manufacturer of composite decking, says mold will not damage the deck boards.

Can you put a gas fire pit on a Trex deck?

You should not place your fire pit directly on your composite decking. Trex decking can soften and become damaged at temperatures as low as 176F. A temperature barrier can be bricks, stone or ceramic tiles or fire mats.

Does composite deck 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.

Can you pressure wash Trex?

Trex does not recommend the use of a pressure washer. The use of a pressure washer on deck surface could damage the decking surface and will void the warranty with respect to any condition caused by the pressure washing.

How long will Trex decking last?

Composite decking requires minimal upkeep and can last between 25 and 30 years.

Can I put composite decking over existing wood deck?

In short, yes you can. You are more than capable of placing composite deck boards over existing wooden ones in order to save time and money from building an entirely new frame.

What are floating decks?

A floating deck, also called a free standing deck, is simply a deck that’s not attached to any structure, including (of course) your house. To understand how to build a floating deck, here are a few basics. As an independent structure, a floating deck has a few advantages over an attached deck.

How much weight can a Trex deck support?

Just keep in mind that its design carries a body-weight load across the span of 12 to 16 inches, and a typical deck is designed to support 40 pounds per square foot.

How much weight can a 12x12 deck hold?

A 12’x12′ (144sq’) deck properly supported can hold 5 760lbs on it. you build. All floating decks, in fact, all decks built to code, can support no less than 40 lbs per square foot of deck.

Is Trex deck flammable?

Trex decking doesn’t catch fire easily. … It performed better than other composite-decking products when tested by fire officials, although there’s variation in the flammability ratings of Trex’s product lines. Trex has won approval as a building product in wildland-urban interfaces.

Why is my composite deck warping?

Warping occurs when the decking’s surface is exposed to sunlight. The decking becomes hot and starts to distort gradually. It happens during thermal expansion when the decking absorbs heat from the sun and expands. The heat from the sun causes the decking to be flexible.

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.