Old surface removed
The worn treated 2×6 decking came off so we could inspect and prepare the framing, then install the new low-maintenance Trex surface.
Project Spotlight
Giving a 20+ Year Old Deck a Fresh Start with Trex
A deck resurfacing project that kept the solid bones, corrected the details underneath, and gave the homeowners a lower-maintenance outdoor space.
The situation
A solid frame, a worn-out surface, and a better way forward.
When we first looked at this deck in March, it had the familiar story we see with a lot of older wood decks. The structure was still in pretty good shape, but the surface had reached the point where maintenance was becoming a losing battle. The homeowners were tired of constant resealing, tired of splinters, and ready for something that looked better and required less upkeep.
What changed
Resurfaced where it made sense, rebuilt where it mattered.
Framing corrected
A couple of warped joists were replaced, and Simpson Strong-Tie joist hangers were added where the older framing had relied on nails only.
Joists protected
Butyl joist tape was installed over the existing framing to help shed water and seal around new fasteners.
Finished with Trex
Trex Enhance decking, picture-frame borders, rebuilt handrails, and refreshed painted details gave the deck a complete finished look.
The starting point
The old boards were becoming a maintenance cycle.
The homeowners had tried several stain products over the years, eventually switching to a solid color stain to hide the aging wood. Unfortunately, even that would not last a full year before it started chipping and showing the old boards underneath.
At some point, you stop enjoying your deck and start managing it. That was the situation here: constant resealing, splinters, and a surface that no longer matched how the homeowners wanted to use the space.
Framing inspection
Once the boards were off, the important details were visible.
The plan was to remove the old treated decking, keep the good framing and posts where they still made sense, make the needed structural improvements, protect the existing frame, and resurface the deck with Trex Enhance composite decking.
Once the old boards were removed, we were able to get a better look at the framing. The main structure was still solid, but we did replace a couple of warped joists. We also added Simpson Strong-Tie joist hangers to the existing framing.
Structural upgrades
The surface replacement created the right moment to improve the connections.
Unfortunately, we see this all the time on older decks. The deck may feel sturdy from above, but underneath, important structural hardware is often missing. In this case, the joists were fastened with nails only.
Since the deck surface was already coming off, it was the perfect time to improve those connections before installing the new Trex. Those corrections are not the most visible part of the finished project, but they are part of what makes the work worth doing correctly.
Frame protection
Butyl joist tape helped protect the framing before the new boards went down.
We also installed butyl joist tape over the top of the framing before the new decking went down. This is one of those details you won’t see once the deck is finished, but it makes a major difference over the life of the deck.
Deck framing usually fails from the top down. Rainwater sits between the deck boards and the joists, collects around screw holes, and slowly works its way into the wood. Butyl joist tape helps create a protective barrier over the framing, sheds water away from the top of the joists, and helps seal around fasteners as the new boards are installed.
Trex resurfacing
The picture-frame border made the new surface feel finished.
For the decking, we installed Trex Enhance in a picture-frame layout. That border is one of those details that makes a big difference. Instead of the deck looking like boards were simply swapped out, it gives the whole surface a cleaner, more intentional edge.
The finished surface is splinter-free, easier to live with, and better aligned with how the homeowners wanted to use the deck: less yearly maintenance and more time enjoying the view.
Handrails and finish work
The handrails were too weathered to save, so they were rebuilt.
We originally hoped the existing handrails could be refreshed, but the wood was too weathered. Rather than trying to dress up material that was past its useful life, the crew rebuilt the handrails completely.
We added Trex top boards to the handrails, painted the new rail assembly and related exterior details, and repainted the light fixtures black so they matched the updated deck. Those finish choices helped the whole space feel new again instead of partially patched.
Clean jobsite
The work took five working days, with cleanup handled daily.
The project took five working days total, spread out over two weeks because rain interrupted the painting schedule. Each day, the crew cleaned up the work area.
At the end, we did a final cleanup, including magnet sweeping the ground for loose nails and screws. That matters on any exterior project, and it matters even more when an older deck has just been opened up and rebuilt around an active home. For the Reddy Pros team, that is part of our process: quality work, clear communication, and respect for the home while the project is underway.
Resurface or rebuild?
A peeling deck does not always mean the whole structure needs to come down.
The finished result kept the bones of the original structure but completely changed the way the space looks and feels. The homeowners now have a cleaner, splinter-free, lower-maintenance outdoor space without needing a full deck rebuild.
If your deck is starting to peel, splinter, or demand a fresh coat of stain every year, a proper resurfacing may be the right answer. Remove the worn-out surface, inspect the framing, make the right structural upgrades, protect the joists, and finish it with materials that fit how you actually want to use the space.
Project photos
Before, during, and after the Trex resurfacing.
Homeowner review
What the homeowner said after the project.
From our first contact with Josh to daily working with Caleb, Reddy Pros went above and beyond our expectations. Our job was rebuilding a 20+ year old deck. We chose to replace with Trex and our new outdoor space turned out above expectations. They started earlier than our given start date and actually finished the project early as well. From ripping out and replacing old wood, painting hand rails, posts and spindles to installing the new Trex floor, they stayed in contact daily, showed up early and each day the work area was left clean. Final cleanup, you would have never known we just went through a major outdoor construction project. I’d HIGHLY recommend this company and plan on using them again for a few future upgrade/remodeling projects.
Lisa Allison
Ready to talk through your deck?
Find out whether your deck is a resurfacing candidate.
Send a few photos or request an estimate. If you are in the Reddy Pros service area, we can inspect the surface, look at the framing, and help you decide whether resurfacing, repair, or a full rebuild is the right move.