#Fiberon vs trex free

Most all composite deck manufacturers strongly suggest keeping your composite deck clean and free of dirt. If mold or mildew causes staining, neither company will cover the damage. Ask your salesman about the Delta E system rating and warranties when you purchase composite decking. Both Trex and TimberTech will not cover fading until it reaches 5 Delta E units. Both Trex and TimberTech offer warranties with Trex offering a 25-year fade and stain warranty for their composite decking and TimberTech providing a 30-year fade and stain warranty.Īs stated above, the Delta E system measures the amount of change in a color. But after several products from various manufacturers failed and caused expensive recalls due to boards decaying and splitting, companies strongly suggested regular maintenance. Years ago, composite decking companies marketed their products as maintenance-free. Trex brand with white deck railing design and decorative inlay. Make use of decking calculators to find the square foot coverage for whichever decking boards you choose. Shorter, regular width lengths of board are typically more expensive but cover more square footage than a longer length board that’s narrower. The length and width of each board also factor in the cost for both Trex and TimberTech.

Pine works fine for railings and can be stained a color either close to the composite decking or a contrasting color as an accent. A great way to save money on your deck project is to use Trex decking and build the railings and substrate from real wood. Trex materials for railings and substrate are more expensive than TimberTech. When building a deck, Trex will average 10-20% less than TimberTech but may seem to actually cost 40-50% less if you don’t include the additional cost of railings and substrate. TimberTech AZEK Vintage (high-end) $11.40 to $14 per sq ft. TimberTech AZEK Arbor (mid-range) $11 to $13 per sq ft.ģ. TimberTech AZEK Harvest (budget-level) $9 to $12.25 per sq ft.Ģ. Trex Transcend (high-end) $10 to $12 per sq ft.īackyard pool deck with Timbertech. Trex Enhance (mid-level) $5 to $7 per sq ft.ģ. Trex Select (budget-level) $7 to $9 per sq ft.Ģ. Both companies offer tiered pricing levels based on the quality and colors of the decking. Trex paved the way in composite decking and remains a bit less-expensive than TimberTech, but the difference is relative. TimberTech vs Trex PricingĪlthough composite decking costs more than wood, the benefits of using composite boards for decking include saving money because of its durability and low-maintenance. Scratch-resistant does not mean the decking won’t succumb to any scratches at all but will withstand minor scrapes and abrasions. While other people don’t mind, Trex is known to be more scratch-resistant than TimberTech, making this an important attribute. In some scratch tests, the TimberTech scratched easier than the Trex decking, causing some deeper scratches.įor some people, scratches on wooden floors or wood decking ruin the look. TimberTech is a plastic board made from PVC and propriety plastic. Trex is a composite decking product made from recycled wood chips, pressed sawdust, and recycled plastic. When it comes to scratch resistance, part of the consideration is what the boards are made of. A change of only a few Delta E levels is typically hard to notice. The change in visual perception of a color is measured on a Delta E scale from 0 to 100.

The way composite decking is measured for fading is based on the Delta E metric system. With an open bottom, water is released and the board dries from the airflow, preventing decay.Īll capping will endure the rigors of outside weather and temperatures but may show a bit of fading limited to the first three or four months. The methodology is based on damage caused by the expansion of water that ends up under the capped surface. Trex, the company most well-known as the pioneer in composite decking, leaves the bottom open and only coats the top and a portion of the sides with capping. They call this method “capping” and use this veneer to prevent mold, staining, and fading from the elements. TimberTech joined the composite decking market in 1996 and is known for capping all four sides of its composite decking boards with a 1/16th inch, plastic-based shell.

Fiberon vs trex