Trex artisan colonial railing in Villa Park. WWW.DUPAGEDECKS.COM It Looks great but is very flimsy
TREXIS THE NUMBER ONE SELLING VINYL COMPOSITE DECKING MATERIAL IN THE U.S. I have been a Trex Certified Installer for about twelve years
HERE IS MY OPINION REGARDING COMPOSITES (especially Trex)
That's Trex! There must be a whole lot of mold leading up to the presidents. DuPageDecks.com
I think vinyl composites are lousy! What good are they if they stain and allow moisture penetration that in turn, causes mold and mildew stains; similar to the ones I've uploaded below.
Trex's most current line is "Trancends". This composite decking has a durable coating on three sides. So, no more staining. It is the top of their line and makes the most sense to use, if you must use a composite product. But why take the risk? Use a PVC! Use Azek!
The upfront cost for a *good quality composite deck is more than twice that of a wood deck. The savings comes from not having to stain and seal this type of material. (Obviously they must be cleaned)
A wood deck will have some discoloration, is prone to warping and will have splinters. Nevertheless, the wood deck will provide a solid, durable, natural in appearance living space, that will last more than twenty years. How much you are you willing to invest in your deck is the important question.
*The market place is filled with (in this contractor's opinion) inferior composite materials. Home Depot and Menards can send you home with attractive brochures describing the wonders of their low cost products, but in this instance, you really do get what you pay for!
"Do you like the sight of mold spots on your deck floor? (see photo below) And don't believe all this enviornmentally friendly mumbo jumbo, Pilgrim. The bottom line is, Trex's manufacturing costs are lower. You'll fare better with a pure vinyl like Azek. And that Trex railing is so flimsy I couldn't tie a dog to it, let alone a horse. Give A Affordable Decks in Lombard a call. They know what they're doing!"
Trex Porch with artisan rail. Villa Park
VINYL COMPOSITE MATERIALS An Overview Is it Better than Wood? Depends on your Budget Most composite decking materials are made from a blend of wood industry by-products or recycled products—wood fibers, sawdust, etc.—and some form of plastic, such as polyethylene or PVC. This 50/50 blend, as it is sometimes called, gives composite decks an engineered resistance to rot and insects, and prevents it from cracking, splitting, or weathering like wood decks. Manufacturers offer warranties as long ten years (25 years for TimberTech) on these products that require no sealing, staining, or painting.
With manufacturers offering a number of color and texture options, the gap between the look of real wood and the look of composite decking is closing. The use of wood in composite materials gives the product a wood-feel and workability when it comes to installation. Many of the manufacturers also offer complete composite decking systems—from deck boards to rails, posts, and balusters. Although the up-front cost is more than treated pine—in many cases as much as twice the cost—a homeowner stands to save thousands on maintenance costs over the deck's lifespan.
A Work in Progress Composite decking manufacturers are quick to admit that their products are not perfect. "Stains are the leading drawback." This up-front admission may be in response to consumer criticism of composite decking. Still, it is common to find detailed cleaning instructions included with manufacturer’s warranty information. The web sites for many composite decking companies state outright: "Grease will stain any surface. Deal with stains quickly." Companies are equally up front about the tendency of their products to fade over time. "A deep red composite deck would fade to pink, which nobody wants," explains Lamphere. "This is why they don't offer a deep red color option."
These flaws stem from the presence of tannic acid in the wood portion of the composite material. Composite decking made from oak fibers, for example, will have more problems with staining, since oak has a higher tannic acid content. Companies like TimberTech have found that using maple wood fibers and PVC, rather than oak wood fibers and recycled "soft" plastic, reduce the staining and fading susceptibility of their product. Other companies are tweaking their ingredients to solve these problems.
Molds and mildew are also common enemies of composite decking. Most manufacturers suggest periodic cleanings with deck cleanser to prevent the buildup of these eyesores. Proper spacing between deck boards is also necessary to allow drainage and avoid the buildup of mold and mildew-friendly water pools.
Composite decking materials are also not structurally rated, so a composite deck is still dependent upon treated wood for structural components such as joists and beams. Composite decking is weaker than wood, so a deck not built to manufacturers specifications might experience sagging or drooping.
Trex Accents Decking - A bit moldy. DuPage Decks.com
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