Trex Decking Problem

Avoid Improper Decking Gaps

Trex actually admits this on their own website when referring to their older generation products. Routine cleaning and maintenance are required for both wood and composite decks. Composite manufacturers now admit that there are no "maintenance free" decking materials of any kind. Every decking material needs at least a periodic washing. Mold, mildew, and dirt attack every deck - plastic, metal, wood or composite – with evenhanded tenacity, and have to be taken care of at regular intervals.

The product was installed in 2005 and began deteriorating after about 18 months. After contortions with their claim process, they sent a check for materials only and then only the bad boards. Well now,2 years later, the entire dock is deteriorating.

As idyllic as your backyard deck could be, maintaining that elevated expanse of lumber can be a downright chore. When the less demanding plastic-composite decking appeared on the scene in the 1990s, homeowners happily adopted it, despite the higher price and limited color selection .

Trex Company, Inc

Despite composite having texture, it does little to provide solid footing around pools or swimming docks. In reality, composite decking is prone to fading, especially when it’s exposed to the elements and sun. Many composite decking materials also stain easily. Anything from the tannins of a few fallen leaves on the surface to an additionally spilled glass of wine or splotch of ketchup can leave stains.

There are different composite products on the market and the availability of these products may vary depending on your location. Most composite decks are manufactured from the by-products of wood such as wood chips, sawdust, and recycled plastic materials. Capped polymer and 4-sided capped composite decking provide homeowners with a great alternative to traditional composite and wood decks that are susceptible to mold and mildew. While composite decking is known for being a step up from wood decking, not all boards are created equal. Composite decking is made up of a blend of wood particles and plastic materials to form a deck board, thensomeare capped with a synthetic material to help keep moisture out. Any exposed wood particles in a board’s core or cap weaken its defense from mold, mildew, and moisture damage. Unlike other decking materials, composite decks can provide the look and feel of natural wood without the environmental impact of cutting down trees for timber.

It is a different matter altogether as to how the different decking materials will look and perform over time as a result of mold . But composite decking is not completely recyclable like plastic decking because it is a mixture of wood and plastic. For its low maintenance and good looks, it's worth a look, but shop around. "Not all composites are equal," says Gordon Whittaker, owner of Alter Eagle. This type of decking is a little more expensive up front than wood materials. Where you save money is that you won’t have to treat a composite deck or porch, it won’t crack or splinter , and this material has exact, uniform coloring.

Wood And Composite Decking Review: Pros And Cons

All composite manufacturers now recommend a periodic maintenance schedule, specific procedures, and even products by brand name for cleaning and maintaining their composite materials. Just like the mold, this issue is unpredictable and hard to understand which decking will have problems and which will not. I know that this is a very one sided article and I am not comparing composite decking to wood. I am merely talking about some of the issues that have been noted with the material. It can be cleaned regularly with a garden hose and a soft bristled brush. Some manufacturers have had some success with the longevity of their products. With this type of material price is a contributing factor.

Trex Select is another fantastic option that offers quality decking materials at an affordable price. Available with shelled composite and railing, Trex Select brings superior durability and unparalleled aesthetics at an affordable price. While all three collections will help you transform your backyard space into the ultimate sanctuary, Trex Transcend is the best of the best. Transcend deck boards are made from 95% recycled boards with earth-friendly manufacturing processes to be more environmentally friendly than real wood. Trex Transcend is the revolutionary collection that first debuted in 2010. A proprietary nine-element surface formulation that produces a natural, wood-like grain pattern, it’s engineered with an exclusive low-sheen, high-traffic formulation.

Although PVC decking is made using synthetic materials, Trex decking is made from 95% recycled content and involves the combination of wood scraps and polyethylene. Reclaimed sawdust, offcuts, and household plastic waste are combined and ground down under heat and pressure to come up with composite decking products. Composite decking material uses a combination of plastic and wood fibers.

Incredibly frustrating, unresponsive and inane.” Says Michael of Bend, OR. Cleaning complaints are fairly common problems with Trex decking that are actually an issue with all types of composite decking. Dirt clings to composite decking more so than wood and it stands out a lot more too. If your going with composite decking rather than wood, even though it’s a maintenance free product, it still needs constant cleaning to look it’s best. And by constant cleaning we mean more than just a simple sweeping or spraying with a hose. One of the most common complaints about composite decking is mold. Decking that is in shaded area or areas that tend to get wet frequently have been shown to grow mold and stain the deck.

Also known as composite, wood alternatives, or synthetic decking, wood-polymer composite has quickly become the fastest-growing decking material for residential use in the past dozen years. Composite decking is an environmentally friendly lumber alternative that combines plastic and wood fiber.

These are the only products most contractors can get so of course they’re going to say they’re good. Whether you choose Transcend, Select, or Enhance, you’re making an investment in a hassle-free, low-maintenance composite deck that will last for years to come. Choose high-quality composite decking materials to build the deck of your dreams where you can spend warm afternoons and cool evenings relaxing with friends and loved ones. Here is a side-by-side comparison to illustrate the unique features, materials, price, and color options for each Trex composite decking option.

Responses To Composite Decking Mushrooms

On the Jersey Shore, where Hurricane Sandy turned many of the area's fabled boardwalks into driftwood, oceanfront communities are rebuilding, and some are choosing composites over wood. initially planned to use Ipe, a tropical hardwood found in the Amazon rainforest. But environmental groups including the Sierra Club encouraged the towns to go with composite decking. After the decision, some critics noted that Ipe can be sourced from sustainably-harvested forests, and they offered the opinion that it will outlast composite decking. That’s why these seaside boardwalks will be under the building industry’s microscope in the years ahead. Currently there is additional bad news for the composite decking industry regarding Trex decking and their latest multi-million dollar class action mold lawsuit. It is absolutely true that all decks and decking materials have some susceptibility to mold and mold related issues.

• While you may save on your initial investment, you will end up spending more money and time to maintain your deck.
• Trex composite decking resists fading, staining, scratching and mold, and will not rot, warp, crack or splinter.
• While wooden decks had long been popular, wood-alternative decking materials have surged in popularity in recent years.
• Upkeep is virtually hassle-free and requires no sanding, staining or painting.
• Trex decking is made from a composite material that blends plastic film and wood fibers.

Decking Buying Guide

After a while, foot traffic on the deck wears off some of the plastic coating that surrounds and protects the wood particles in the composite material, exposing them to the environment. This is the cause of "white-spotting" as the sun fades the particles. It also gives mold and mildew an opening to root in the deck. Composite decking that is not protected by a plastic wrapper or capstock seems to have a particular susceptibility to mold and mildew. Trex and Fiberon, major manufacturers of uncapped products, have been sued over this issue in class action lawsuits and had to pay out large amounts of money to affected homeowners. It contains wood but it also contains plastic, and plastic is one of the all-time great expanders and contractors.