Trex Decking Problems

Weathered Wood

But, the wood flour used in composites has had most or all of these protective chemicals removed, so it is very vulnerable to mold and mildew. The fact that composites don't feel or look like real wood is beside the point. Once in place, they just do their job and don't need much more than an annual wash-down, leaving you plenty of time to work on your nap. You cannot go to any lumber yard or store and order Veka. It’s only available to the biggest and best deck companies in the country.

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

• This article looks at whether a composite deck is worth the money and how to choose the best composite decking material.
• This unique combination makes composite decks expensive than other types of decking material.
• A combination of organic and synthetic materials captures the best of both worlds creating a durable product that is similar to wood decking.
• Ensure that your contractor has experience with composite materials.
• Make sure that you are comfortable with you decision before you commit to using this relatively new product.
• When composites came out they were touted as never staining, never needing maintenance, and never fading.

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

Probably the first thing a homeowner will notice is white spots on the deck. These are exposed wood particles bleached by the sun and rain. This is a sure sign that the deck's seal has been damaged. Exposed particles, besides creating unsightly white spots, swell when they get wet, and can cause the decking to split and degrade over time. It is simply not possible to keep the plastic from being worn away or compromised by UV.

Are you considering rebuilding your deck the composite decking? Here are some things to consider before you commit to this relatively new material. First generation composite decking is not scratch resistant at all, it can be easily scratched with a person’s fingernail after it has started to weather. Wood decking is the overwhelming choice for homeowners. But synthetic plank decking offers good looks with less upkeep.Composites, which blend ground-up wood and plastic, have chipped away at wood's popularity.

Many severe problems have already risen during the past few years in the wood composite market. Most composite decks are usually backed up with lengthy warranties because of their enduring good looks and ability to withstand heavy traffic. This results in the assurance of lasting beauty which offers additional peace of mind. A composite deck is visually pleasing as it can be designed to match the look and feel of exotic hardwood or traditional timber. It comes in a wide variety of styles and designs to help you determine what works best for your outdoor living space. Snap-in-place fasteners are easy to install but unique to specific brands.

With pressure-treated wood decks, maintenance costs add up over time. Although Trex costs more initially, you'll never have to sand, stain or paint your Trex deck. Over the life of your deck, those reduced maintenance costs add up to a greater value than wood—not to mention the value of the added time spent enjoying your deck rather than working on it. No matter where you live, Trex composite decking is backed by a 25-Year Limited Residential Warranty. It’s engineered to stand up to harsh weather and decades of foot traffic.

Composite decking companies are making a product that will save you money by eliminating maintenance, repairs, and finishes, while providing the same strength as wood decking. No mater what your preferences, this product can answer the call. Other advances have been installing grain patterns in the decking to imitate the look of wood, as well as offering several more colors than was possible 5 years ago. While a wood porch or deck might be cheaper to build, it will continually cost the homeowner more money each season in maintenance and repairs. With composites, a little washing every now and again it all it needs.

Trex Composite Decking Reviews: Transcend, Enhance And Select

Warnings Issued For Trex Decking

Another characteristic that can cause problems includes retaining heat and feeling hot to bare feet. Composite decking also isn’t as strong as solid wood, which is evident in that smaller joist spacing is required for the deck’s structure. While a hardwood deck can be constructed with joists 16′ apart, most composite deck joists must be built 12′ or less apart to prevent sagging. There are other characteristics of composite decking that limit its usability. Since these are natural attributes, there really is no way to avoid them. While composite decking certainly does have some advantages, it also has a number of problems that the average homeowner may be unaware of. Many homeowners have ended up learning the hard way that composite decking isn’t flawless and, in many cases, ends up being a frustrating, expensive mistake.

And, since plastic does not expand and contract evenly, those gaps may still be there the following July. There is not a lot that can be done about it – it's the nature of the material. Composites may look like wood but they are not wood, and they don't act like wood. So, don't expect a perfectly convincing wood-like appearance. All materials expand when heated and contract when cooled. Wood expands and contracts but very little along the length of the board.

With composites, the difference was slightly smaller. One serious drawback to composite decking is ignored by everyone except engineers and scientists, and certainly never talked about by composite manufacturers. If you live in a place like most of Nebraska with hot, hot summers, you need to be very aware of heat retention. While composite decks have few real advantages over wood decks, they do have some real drawbacks including a high initial cost, heat retention, and excessive expansion and contraction. So, while 100% recycled composites can be somewhat "greenish", they typically have been found by life-cycle studies to be a lot less green than most common deck woods, even treated wood.

It seems to come on strong and takes constant effort to keep the decking clear of it, especially for a self-proclaimed “no maintenance” product. It’s not like the old days where you had to simply choose between different species of wood. Today, there are still all of the wood options of yesterday, but now there are scores of different composite decking options.

Skip Composite And Stick With Real Wood

This means your synthetic deck can be environmentally friendly. Unlike wood, composites don't need to be painted or stained to match your home's exterior. Consumers must decide if the look and feel of natural wood is worth the work that goes into periodic staining, painting and replacing sections that have begun to decay. If you'd rather spend your time doing something else, composites are your choice. From cost to maintenance and durability to look, there are many things to think about as you decide between composite or wood for your next deck. Here are some pros and cons to consider before you decide which product to buy. Within the first week, my two German Shepherds had left dirty paw prints.