Trex vs Timbertech
Our customers often ask questions about Trex vs Timbertech. What’s the difference between the two? Which is better decking? What should I use for my new deck? And which decking do we recommend and why? There are plenty of benefits that come with building a beautiful deck. Investing in a quality deck creates a great place to hang out with friends and family while adding value to the home. This article will help you decide whether a Trex composite deck or TimberTech composite deck is right for your outdoor living space. Each year, more and more homeowners are choosing Trex and Timbertech composite decking over traditional wood. But why? Composite decking lasts longer, there’s no sanding or staining involved, they’re more durable and maintenance free. Composite decks are the right choice for the majority of homeowners. But which composite decking is best? Timbertech and Trex are two of the most popular composite decking companies in the decking industry. Both of these companies produce high-quality decking products at roughly the same price. However, when faced with the decision of choosing between Timbertech vs Trex, which is the better pick? In order to make the right decision, you’ll want to look at a number of factors like, price, maintenance, what they’re made of and the warranties for each. Are they good decking products, do they last and are they worth the money? Ahead you’ll find out.A Brief History Of Trex
Trex invented the composite decking board in 1996 and is widely known as the pioneer of composite decking. Most customers asking us to build them a composite deck actually refer to it as a Trex deck. They began by manufacturing a single color decking board, which they patented in 1998. Trex recycled plastic that would otherwise have gone to landfills and used it to make a composite decking board able to withstand the elements much longer than traditional wood decks with little to no maintenance. Since then, the basic Trex deck board has undergone numerous upgrades. As the technology improved, so did the product offerings. Trex now offers a full line of products from composite decking and railings to lighting, outdoor furniture, and structural components. For more information on Trex products click here.A Brief History Of Timbertech
TimberTech’s original product launch was also early in the industry’s development. They entered the composite decking market in 1997, also with only one decking board available in only one color. But growth and innovation has allowed Timbertech to become a leader in the composite decking market. Early in the industry’s development, white PVC railings were the only color available. TimberTech’s award-winning railing line was the first to include black as an option and now includes a wide range of colors. TimberTech is now part of CPG building products which also owns Azek.Types of Decking
Wood Decking
Pros: Authenticity. It’s a natural material. The most common type is pressure-treated pine, but more expensive options include cedar, redwood, and tropical hardwoods. Easy to work with. Consistent finish all the way through. Cons: Wood tends to change color, crack, and stain if it isn’t refinished. Hardwoods and exotic choices can be expensive. Wood needs long term maintenance. Price: About $225 to $825 or more per 100 square feet.
Composite Decking
Pros: The look of wood without the need to stain. It’s made of plastic and wood fiber which is extremely durable. Also available in PVC. Doesn’t need long term maintenance other than cleaning. Available in a wide range of colors. Cons: Some offer far less resistance to slips, stains, and mildew. Most choices are heavier and more expensive than pine but cheaper than exotic woods. Price: About $425 to $650 per 100 square feet.What Is Composite Decking?
Composite decking is a man-made building product made of recycled wood fibers and/or recycled plastic. Because composite decking products are so durable and impervious to rot, they have a much longer lifespan than wood decking and require little to no maintenance. They don’t need the staining, sanding or sealing that wood decking does. Composite decking comes in a wide variety of colors and multiple sizes. Considering the many benefits of composite decking, such as lower maintenance and being resistant to mold and insects, composite decking is widely considered one of the most durable decking products on the market today. In addition to these advantages, new capped composite decking is also stain and fade resistant, which makes it even easier to clean with very high color retention. Maintaining your composite deck requires semi-annual cleaning. A simple wash with a garden hose and a mild household cleaner will do the trick. Capped composite decking is sealed, making it easier to clean if mold and mildew start to form on the surface. Since there are exposed wood fibers in uncapped composite decking, they can be susceptible to mold growth just like any outdoor porous surface. However, washing your deck periodically will help keep mold at bay. Installation of composite decking is the same as traditional wood decking with the added benefit of optional side grooves for hidden fasteners. Hidden fastener systems makes use of grooves built into the sides of decking boards for a smooth surface without any screws showing. Possibly best of all, composite decking has absolutely no splinters, twisting or warping. However, it’s important to note that you must follow the manufacturer’s instructions for installation.
Trex vs Timbertech – Material & Capping
Comparing the difference between Trex vs Timbertech requires an understanding of how composite decking is made. Both companies use a mix of recycled wood fibers and/or recycled plastics to manufacture the core of their decking boards. It’s a combination of sawdust and ground-up wood along with recycled plastics. The main difference in the two companies is in how the boards are “capped.” Capped boards are coated with a durable plastic protective shell that resists mold, staining, and fading. This thin protective layer is called the “cap”. You can see it by looking at the cut edge of the board. Capping significantly prolongs the life of composite decking. There are two different approaches regarding the best way to cap a composite deck board.Trex
Trex decking is made up of two specific pieces. They include the protective shell or “cap” and the composite core. The cap covers three sides of the Trex board. The top and both sides. However, it doesn’t cover the bottom. The great thing about having boards with an unsealed bottom is that this gives the material more freedom to breathe and expel moisture while eliminating surface separation. Trex believes moisture will eventually get into the board no matter what they do, so by leaving the bottom uncapped, they’ve created a way for it to drain out. The inside of Trex boards are made up of composite material. Composed of 95% recycled plastics and sawdust. This makes composite decking 50 to 70 percent heavier than pressure treated wood. This extra weight helps keep Trex boards in place for a strong, stable feel which helps eliminate bounce.Timbertech
TimberTech boards are fully capped. The PVC coating wraps completely around each board with the intention of completely sealing out all moisture. Timbertech is made of recycled material just like Trex. It has the same weight and strength. Comes in the exact same sizes and is offered with grooved sides for a screw less installation. The only real difference is the protective coating which wraps the entire board and not just 3 sides. Timbertech believes the best way to maintain the life of a decking board is to permanently keep all moisture out with a complete seal around the entire core. They don’t leave the bottom open for draining water because in their mind, when wrapped properly, water should never get into the board. Because of this extra protection, Timbertech claims their boards are more resistant to harsh weather, the hot sun, and moisture.Winner: Trex
From our experience both Timbertech and Trex are great composite decking boards that hold up really well over time. We build decks every year using both materials and havn’t seen any major difference between the two regarding capping or moisture related issues. However in some 10+ year old decks we’ve inspected, Trex seams to be holding up better with moisture related issues. Timbertech is also coming out with a 3 sided capped decking product which convinces us that even they have determined 3 sided coating is the slightly better option. Keep in mind this is a factor with only a very small percentage of decks. For the vast majority of homeowners both Trex and Timbertech will perform great. Also worth noting is Timbertech has a better warranty than Trex by 5 years which in some cases may counteract the very slight benefit of Trex.Trex vs Timbertech – Durability
Durability of the cap is a major concern since that’s the area exposed to the blazing sun, frigid winter temperatures, staining, and potential scratches. All outdoor materials fade over time, and you can expect minor fading from both Trex and TimberTech within the first few years. After that, the color will remain fairly consistent throughout the life of the deck. Although Timbertech and Trex are both tough materials, they can still be scratched. However, they’re both among the most durable composite decking products on the market. Both resist scratching far better than common treated pine decking or other soft woods. In scratch tests both Trex and Timbertech perform comparably to an exotic hardwood like Ipe. To keep your composite deck in good condition, it’s recommended you treat it with a sealer. A quality sealer will not only prevent the growth of mold, it’ll also makes your deck slightly more resistant to small scratches and helps preserve the color.Winner: Trex
In our experience, based on research we’ve done and tests conducted, Trex looks to be slightly more resistant than Timbertech in this Trex vs Timbertech matchup. And to be clear the difference is very, very slight. If your making your decision based on durability alone then it’s a toss up. Both materials are extremely good at resisting scratches and tend to fade equally.Trex vs Timbertech – Price
Composite decking is more expensive than common wood decking like pine. However composite tends to be cheaper than exotic hardwoods like Ipe. Over time, both Trex and Timbertech will both save you money since all wood decking requires some annual maintenance to keep it looking new. Both Trex and TimberTech offer several tiers of composite decking products, from least to most expensive. It’s difficult to get too specific about pricing because both brands offer a range of products at different price points. When broken down into tiers and compared from brand to brand. The pricing is almost identical. Because Trex and Timbertech directly compete with one another for the exact same customers, the price points are always very competitive. However Timbertech offers premium decking at a higher price point than Trex. So, while the lower tiered decking is almost the exact same price, high tiered Timbertech is more expensive. Keep in mind that installation prices should be exactly the same no matter which brand you choose as both brands are offered in either a solid edge or grooved edge design.Winner: Tie
When Trex is compared to an equally tiered Timbertech product. The prices are generally the same per board unless you want a premium product. Shop around to find a deal as each manufacturer will periodically run promotions and sales. Especially when decking building is out of season. Also keep in mind a higher price doesn’t always mean better quality. Generally the higher end products are available in exotic colors or with a multi colored wood grain look. Their not better than the lower end products in terms of reliability or dependability, they just have more options and added features which increases cost. Pro Tip: If price is a deciding factor for you when choosing a brand try to plan ahead and buy your decking in winter. Most suppliers will offer off season discounts. And let your builder make the purchase as long as their willing to pass the savings on to you. We get a discount on most decking because of the volume we buy each year.
Trex vs Timbertech – Warranty
A 25-year fade and stain warranty covers all capped composite decking offered through Trex. Timbertech offers a basically identical warranty however their fade and stain warranty is good for 30-years. Both offer limited warranties that cover material defects, splinters and rot on all of their capped decking products. You can read the updated warranty on each manufacturer’s website as they are subject to change. We’re up to date with both of them and for the most part both warranties are very good and are essentially identical. When a customer does take advantage of their warranty, both companies will either replace the damaged boards or refund a portion of the money for the defected items. However this doesn’t include the cost of initial installation.Color Fade
When it comes to fading, both warranties state that their composite decking will not fade more than 5 Delta E units from either weather or sunlight otherwise they’ll refund or replace the discolored boards. If you’re unfamiliar with what Delta E is, it’s a way of measuring the difference between two or more colors. For example, a color labeled as 1 Delta E is visually different that a color labeled as 10 Delta E. As mentioned above, your deck must have faded to a level of 5 Delta E or more for the warranty to be used. This means that even though your deck is experiencing fading, you won’t be able to use your warranty unless it meets at least a 5 Delta E rating. So, what can you do? A quality sealer will protect your deck from not just mold, but will also help prevent fading caused by weather or sunlight.Mold & Mildew
Both Trex and Timbertech claim their products are resistant to mold and mildew. However, when it comes to their warranties, they state that a customer is responsible for cleaning their deck on a regular basis. This includes cleaning off mold, dirt, and pollen. The warranty will not be valid for homeowners who haven’t held up their part of the deal. On the other hand, if you’ve cleaned your deck properly, and you still see mold growth, then your warranty should cover the damage. Pro Tip: Although the maintenance for composite decking is minimal, regularly sweeping and cleaning with a mild soap and water is expected and is key to preventing mold and mildew growth. Mold and mildew is not covered by their product warranties if the decking is not properly cleaned. Just basic sweeping and cleaning like you would any hard surface floor in your house is more than enough.A Sliding Scale
The last thing you need to understand about both Timbertech and Trex’s warranties is that they’re based on a sliding scale. In other words, the older the deck is, the less of a percentage you’ll receive for replacement costs. The time recorded is based on the year that you made the claim compared with when you bought the decking. The older the deck, the less of a percentage you’ll receive. See the rates below:Trex Warranty Coverage
1 to 10 years old: 100% 11 to 13 years old: 80% 14 to 16 years old: 60% 17 to 19 years old: 40% 20 to 22 years old: 20% 23 to 25 years old: 10%
Timbertech Warranty Coverage
1 to 10 years old: 100% 11 to 12 years old: 90% 13 to 14 years old: 80% 15 to 16 years old: 70% 17 to 18 years old: 60% 19 to 20 years old: 50% 21 to 22 years old: 40% 23 to 24 years old: 30% 25 to 26 years old: 20% 27 to 30 years old: 10%
Winner: Timbertech
As you can see from the information above, you’ll receive a greater long term recovery rate from Timbertech than you will from Trex. Both companies offer excellent warranties, but you’ll be better protected over the years when you choose Timbertech.Does Trex or Timbertech Actually Honor Their Warranty?
Yes. But in our experience it can be a difficult process and they’ll often use ever excuse in the book not to pay up. If you have a warranty claim that’s not an obvious defect then they’ll fight the claim. They don’t want to pay if they don’t have to. It’s like working with any insurance company, you have to prove your claim. They don’t just write you a check because you ask for one. Of course if you have a legitimate claim, and can prove it, they’ll pay you what’s owed. Just be prepared for a battle to get your money. And keep in mind it gets harder to prove the longer the decking has been installed. It’ll be easy to get a claim paid if the decking was installed recently but much harder if it’s 15 years old. Make sure you don’t do anything to void the warranty. That’s a big one. If you haven’t cleaned it properly. Or worst of all, haven’t installed it properly, they generally won’t honor the warranty.Trex vs Timbertech – Maintenance
Neither Timbertech or Trex need to be sanded or stained regularly. In addition to this, both Timbertech and Trex are quite resistant to warping, cracking, and rotting, even after years of usage. Now, does that mean they can’t be damaged? Not exactly. So, with that being said, how do you properly maintain your Timbertech or Trex deck? It’s recommended that you clean your Timbertech or Trex deck with warm water, soap, and a soft sponge or cloth. By doing this regularly, you can keep your deck looking great for years to come while also removing any mold or mildew that may start growing. You can also use a power washing machine on a low setting. However, you have to do it right, or you could damage your deck. If you do decide to power wash your deck, make sure you only use a fan tip, and you should never go over 1,500 psi. In addition to this, always make sure you don’t keep the tip of the nozzle closer than 8-inches from the surface. By holding the tip of the spraying nozzle too close to your deck, you could leave permanent damage. As a frame of reference, if it’s too much pressure to wash a car with, then it’s too much for the deck. Wash gently. Use a good composite waterproof sealer on your deck to prevent the growth of mold and mildew. Waterproof sealer’s will help prevent moisture from seeping into the boards which is the root cause of mold growth.Winner: Tie
Both brands require the same regular cleanings to help prevent mold and mildew growth. Both also offer nearly the exact same warranty which can be void if you fail to clean your deck. Pro Tip: Keep your deck clean.Hidden Deck Fasteners
Decking can be installed with a lot more than just nails and screws these days. Hidden fasteners secure the deck boards from beneath the surface, creating a clean look that’s as smooth as hardwood flooring. Because they’re just as strong as screws but provide a much nicer finish, hidden fastening systems are a superior product to traditional decking installation methods. The cost is slightly more than most screws, however, depending on the hidden deck fastener you buy, can be faster and easier to install, so you’ll save money on installation. Both Trex and Timbertech offer they’re own brand of hidden deck fastener.
Trex Hideaway Hidden Deck Fasteners
All Trex decking is available with a grooved edge, hidden deck fastener option. When using grooved-edge boards, Trex’s hidden deck fastening system installs between the deck boards, fastening them to the joists with no visible deck screw heads on the walking surface. This precision also creates perfectly consistent spacing between the boards for a flawless look across the entire deck. Even though Trex Hideaway hidden deck fasteners are designed for use with Trex decking, they work with just about any decking with a groove. They even sell a bit for making the grooves yourself if your decking has a solid edge. The clips are super easy to use, extremely versatile and come with starter and edge clips for a super clean finish.
Concealoc Hidden Deck Fasteners by Timbertech
The Concealoc hidden deck fastening system by Timbertech is designed to easily attach grooved Timbertech or Azek deck boards directly to the deck frame, creating a beautiful, fastener-free deck surface. Easy to use and affordable. The Concealoc hidden deck fastener system is made for and designed by Timbertech but works on just about any decking with a groove. The CONCEALoc Hidden Fastener System is designed for installation of edge-grooved planks, ensuring a smooth, safe, and attractive deck surface. The “wings” on each CONCEALoc Fastener insert into side grooves in adjoining Deck Boards. Hidden below the surface of the deck, they are securely held to the top of the underlying structural joists with a single stainless steel screw (included) and insure proper and consistent spacing of the deck boards.Winner: Trex
While both hidden deck fastening systems work great we prefer the Trex Hideaway System over Concealoc. It’s simple to use and is sold at Home Depot which makes it easy to pick up another box if you ever run short. Concealoc isn’t stocked anywhere convenient which makes a big difference when time is money and let’s be honest, everyone falls short on something once in a while.Trex vs Timbertech – Options
This is a broad topic as both manufacturers offer a wide range of decking with a variety of colors and styles. Each has a unique name and fits within a pre determined price tier. Ranging from lower end affordable options to higher end more costly styles. Ahead we’ll list each tier including all the colors, sizes and styles offered in each. Call a local supplier for exact, up to date pricing.
Trex Composite Decking. The Hassle-Free Alternative To Wood
A Trex composite deck is ready whenever you want to use it. No sanding, staining, or painting here. A little soap and water or a quick power wash is all the maintenance Trex requires. Wood decks take constant care. Trex composite decking is more durable and longer lasting. When you look at all Trex has to offer, wood decking begins to feel like signing up for a second job.
MAKE THE TREX DECISION THAT’S RIGHT FOR YOU
Trex offers four tiers of decking products providing a comprehensive range of easy, low-maintenance options.
Worry-Free Collections
If you seek the durability of composite and the affordability of wood, opt for Basics. This long-lasting decking requires little upkeep and comes in three traditional colors. Trex Enhance® Basics offer fade and stain protection, as well as enhanced mold and mildew resistance, to make maintenance simple. And because the boards are scalloped, they’re as lightweight as lumber, without the extra work. Available in both grooved and solid edge designs.
Wood Grain On A Budget
For an authentic wood-grain appearance, choose Trex Enhance® Naturals. This high-performance collection includes five multi-tonal colors inspired by nature. Trex Enhance® Naturals offers fade and stain protection, as well as enhanced mold and mildew resistance, to make maintenance simple. And because the boards are scalloped, they’re as lightweight as lumber, without the extra work. Available in both grooved and solid edge designs.
It’s Trex®, Simplified
With such an easy design scheme, Trex Select decking and railing adds our legendary luxury to your home more affordably than ever. While Select decking features our hallmark high-performance shell technology and nature-inspired colors, the complementary white railing is a simple solution for a clean finish. Now more than ever, you can complete your high-caliber outdoor living system without compromise. Available in five colors. Grooved and solid edge designs.
Trex® At It’s Very Best
Transcend decking’s deep wood-grain pattern and luxury colors create a premium, ageless look that leave other composites in the dust. Transcend comes in multiple color options: Havana Gold, Island Mist, Lava Rock, Spiced Rum, Tiki Torch, Gravel Path, Firepit, Rope Swing, Tree House and Vintage Lantern Available in grooved and solid edge designs.Trex Decking Color Chart
Timbertech Composite Decking. Do Decking Differently
Designed specifically for homeowners seeking a personalized outdoor living solution that will improve their home while pushing past the status quo, toward a bold expression of their personal style and discerning tastes without ever sacrificing quality. TimberTech decking captures the warmth of natural wood, but lasts longer, requires less maintenance, and comes with industry leading warranties.
Timbertech Legacy Collection
Superior 4 sided capped composite decking that offers complete surface protection and an elegant design. All backed by a 30 Year Limited Product Warranty and a 30 Year Limited Fade & Stain Warranty. This palette of colors is focused on the authentic texture of wood and the grain you can feel. This collection wants to reflect the natural beauty of exotic woods from around the world. Offering limitless options, Legacy features our most unique and dramatic color palette. It’s a showstopper. No two boards look alike. The hand scraped texture lends a refined vibe that reflects the true tones of natural wood. A premium composite that blends beauty with technology for the ultimate low-maintenance deck. Four-sided capping makes it extremely resistant to moisture damage, and its protective surface resists everyday stains and scratches.- Available in 7 colors
- Grooved or solid design
Timbertech Tropical Collection
Superior 4 sided capped composite decking that offers complete surface protection and an elegant design. All backed by a 30 Year Limited Product Warranty and a 30 Year Limited Fade & Stain Warranty. The tropical collection brings sunny, warm, vacation vibes that continue to feature the grainy texture of real wood. This is perfect for homeowners looking to create an outdoor oasis in their backyard. Make your deck a destination with these rich, saturated tones that emulate exotic woods. Featuring a more pronounced grain texture, you can design your personal paradise using these authentic, sun-soaked tones. Premium composite decking that blends beauty with technology for the ultimate low-maintenance deck. Four-sided capping makes it extremely resistant to moisture damage, and its protective surface resists everyday stains and scratches.- Available in 7 colors
- Grooved or solid design
Timbertech Terrain Collection
Superior 4 sided capped composite decking that offers complete surface protection and an elegant design. All backed by a 30 Year Limited Product Warranty and a 30 Year Limited Fade & Stain Warranty. This collection of colors is all about the outdoors. Featuring rich walnuts, rooted tree trunks and dark stormy skies, Terrain can help to bring that outdoor feeling to your space. Tap into mother nature’s color palette with these timeless hues. Truly embodying the spirit of the outdoors, Terrain features five stunning colors, including three solid and two moderately-variegated with a dual-embossed grain pattern. Premium composite decking that blends beauty with technology for the ultimate low-maintenance deck. Four-sided capping makes it extremely resistant to moisture damage, and its protective surface resists everyday stains and scratches.- Available in 5 colors
- Grooved or solid design
Timbertech Edge Premier Collection
Strong capped composite decking that delivers advanced surface protection and is backed by a 25-Year Limited Warranty and a 25-Year Limited Fade & Stain Warranty, all at an attainable price. Charming and distinctive, Premier is designed to satisfy homeowners who are looking to upgrade from the constant and costly maintenance of wood decks. Features a dual-embossed, rough-overlay with grain texture. Composite decking engineered to be longer lasting and more resistant to the elements than traditional wood. With EDGE, avoid the constant problems and costly maintenance of wood decks and do more enjoying.- Available in 4 colors
- Grooved or solid design
Timbertech Prime Collection
Strong capped composite decking that delivers advanced surface protection and is backed by a 25-Year Limited Warranty and a 25-Year Limited Fade & Stain Warranty, all at an attainable price. The Prime collection offers a premium-level composite decking with superior longevity, quality, and beautifully sustained, solid colors. Showcases a touch of texture too, all for an attainable price. Composite decking engineered to be longer lasting and more resistant to the elements than traditional wood. With EDGE, avoid the constant problems and costly maintenance of wood decks and do more enjoying.- Available in 2 colors
- Grooved or solid design
Timbertech Azek Vintage Collection
Premium capped polymer decking, made without wood, that provides unparalleled performance while boasting unrivaled design — all backed by a Limited Lifetime Product Warranty and a 50-Year Limited Fade & Stain Warranty. Azek products are PVC. Top of the line capped PVC decking featuring TimberTech’s most powerful technology, along with a natural woodgrain look. Dubbed our “Designer Series,” Vintage offers you the most versatile design choices. Available in narrow, standard, and wide widths, you can also choose from highly variegated color options with both subtle and dramatic highlights. Capped polymer decking designed for unrivaled high-performance and beauty. AZEK decking is engineered to last longer than any other composite decking, with the most natural hardwood look.- Available in 6 colors
- Grooved or solid design
Timbertech Azek Arbor Collection
Premium capped polymer decking, made without wood, that provides unparalleled performance while boasting unrivaled design — all backed by a Limited Lifetime Product Warranty and a 50-Year Limited Fade & Stain Warranty. Azek products are PVC. Capture the essence of the outdoors with the striking simplicity of these exotic wood tones. Arbor features an assortment of warm, earthy colors, with varied grains resembling the patterns found in nature. Capped PVC decking designed for unrivaled high-performance and beauty. AZEK is engineered to last longer than other wood alternatives, with the most natural hardwood look.- Available in 8 colors
- Grooved or solid design
Timbertech Azek Harvest Collection
Premium capped polymer decking, made without wood, that provides unparalleled performance while boasting unrivaled design — all backed by a Limited Lifetime Product Warranty and a 50-Year Limited Fade & Stain Warranty. Azek products are PVC. Show off your effortless style with the classic beauty of these warm, natural colors. Harvest features soft calming tones and traditional cathedral wood-grain embossing that enhances your relaxing outdoor oasis.- Available in 3 colors
- Grooved or solid design
Timbertech Composite Decking Color Chart
Winner: Timbertech
Timbertech is the clear winner here offering a larger variety of decking models, styles, materials and colors to choose from at a multitude of price points.Trex vs Timbertech – Fasteners
Both Trex and Timbertech come in either a solid edge or grooved design. This provides you the option of either screwing the decking to the frame or securing it with a hidden fastening system. Check with the manufacturer for approved screws or clips before installation. It’s not recommended that anyone use fasteners that are not mentioned in the installation guide. If other products are used, and decking materials fail, the warranty could be denied.Winner: Tie
Both decking manufacturers offer the exact same systems for securing their deck boards. Which you prefer is a matter of personal preference by your installer. As far as strength, durability and dependability of the fasteners it all looks equal to us.Trex vs Timbertech – Installation Tips
Because timbertech and Trex decking are a different material than traditional wood, the installation requires some different practices. Be sure to read the manufacturer’s instructions to ensure your decking project is done correctly.- Always ensure there is a minimum gap of 3mm butt joint.
- Composite planks should be installed with the correct side up. Especially when installing Trex.
- A directional notch is displayed on each plank edge to ensure a consistent appearance. Make sure the decking runs in the correct direction.
- Your deck should slope away from the house to help with water removal.
- Do not use glue or caulk to fasten or seal the planks into place, follow manufacturer instructions.
- The use of nails is not recommended, however, if they must be used during installation, always resort to stainless steel nails.
- All composite planks may be installed using regular woodworking tools since they can be cut or shaped easily.
- If using screws select a screw head that matches your decking color.
- If using plugs select the plug that matches your decking color exactly. Close isn’t good enough.
Trex Vs Timbertech FAQ
Is Trex or Timbertech Slippery?
Like most man made building materials, composite decking has undergone a near constant evolution since it’s invention, getting progressively better over time. Along the way it picked up a reputation for being slippery, which is fair, since the early generations of composite could be pretty slick. Composite decking has gotten much better over time.- First Generation Composite Decking: Composite decking’s reputation for slipperiness comes in large part from first generation Trex decking which was quite slipery. These products tended to absorb moisture, making them easy to slip on. Water absorption also led to problems with mold and mildew, making the deck even more slippery.
- Second Generation Capped Composites: Adding a rigid capping material to the outside surface of composite decking goes a long way toward keeping excess moisture out of the decking which makes them less slippery. However, the capping surface of many older materials was made out of shiny, hard plastic that lacked traction.
Wood Decking is Best:
However, if it’s a major concern, then the best material in our opinion is wood. Nothing’s better than the feel of wood, provided it’s of good quality and properly maintained. That’s why all composite decking is made to replicate the look and feel of wood. No one ever argues that wood isn’t a great material, they just don’t want the maintenance.Can Trex or Timbertech Be Painted?
Yes, you can paint or stain both Trex and Timbertech decking or railing to achieve a custom color. However painting either Trex or Timbertech is not necessary for protection. Paints and stains that adhere well to wood will generally work just as good on composites. Decking that has been faded can be painted or stained at any time, even years after it’s been installed. However you should use paint or stain that is made for a walking surface. Note: Make sure you check the paint or stain to be sure it works on the specific product your painting. When in doubt call the manufacturer. Since both Trex and Timbertech offer a variety of models which are made of different materials, it’s always a good idea to check first. Calling the paint manufacturer is also a good idea. But, generally speaking, the answer is Yes. Both Trex and Timbertech can be painted or stained.What types of paints and stains can I use?
Most paints or stains that you would apply to wood can be applied to both Trex and Timbertech decking. The following companies have evaluated composite decking and suggested these coatings:
Behr
800-854-0133
Deck Premium Plus Exterior Solid Wood Deck Stain (no primer needed)
Sherwin Williams
800-474-3794
S-W Deckscapes ext. acrylic Deck Stain A15-150
Should I wait until my composite decking is faded before applying paint or stain?
Yes, it’s important to wait for both Trex or Timbertech to fade (approximately 12-16 weeks) before applying paint or stain. If the decking is painted or stained before it fades, the paint or stain could become discolored and adhesion may be compromised. In other words the paint or stain can peel or flake off if applied too soon. The discoloration is not permanent however and can be cleaned.Once I’ve picked out my paint or stain, what do I do?
The easy three step process will guide you:- Wait until the Trex decking fades, approximately 12 – 16 weeks.
- Clean your Trex decking surface. Never paint or stain over dirty surfaces or surfaces with mold and mildew. Refer to the Product and Installation Guide for cleaning instructions.
- Apply the paint or stain in accordance with the manufacturer’s directions.
How long will the paint or stain on my deck last?
This depends on the paint or stain, but testing has shown that paints or stains on both Trex and composite decking will last as long as or longer than paints or stains on wood. Because composite decking absorbs minimal moisture, the paint or stain will not experience checking or splitting.What about cleaning my painted or stained Trex decking?
Consult your paint or stain manufacturer’s directions before cleaning. In general clean as normal with a mild soap and water mix.Trex vs Timbertech – Custom Deck Picture Gallery
Summary: Trex vs Timbertech. Which Is Better?
Composite decking has come a long way since first introduced the 90s. Both TimberTech and Trex have led the way with constant innovation and growth. If you plan on choosing a low maintenance, weather and scratch-resistant composite for your decking project, you really can’t go wrong with either brand. We offer both products and install them both on homes year round. Since both products are nearly identical, for us it’s all about the style, price and color options. We can honestly recommend either to our customers. It’s a tough decision to make and really depends on the individual. The difference between the two brands is very slim without any major drawbacks or advantages.If you have any questions or comments e-mail us any time. We’d love to hear from you.
