TREX vs the COMPETITION

Everything else wants to be Trex

RANCH ROAD CONSTRUCTION

Get expert insight from builders who’ve worked with Trex- and the brands trying to imitate it. How does it compare in price? Does it really last longer? What makes it different from other composite options? Why do experienced contractors prefer Trex?

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The truth is, not all composite decking is created equal.

Some boards fade faster. Others trap heat or scratch easily. And while many brands promise durability and low maintenance, only a few actually deliver on that promise year after year—especially in Texas.

That’s where experience matters.

At Reddy Pros, we’ve worked with just about every major brand of composite decking—Trex, TimberTech, Fiberon, MoistureShield—and we’ve seen what lasts, what looks good, and what gives homeowners the best return on their investment.

This page is your guide to understanding how Trex compares—honestly, clearly, and from the perspective of professionals who’ve seen it all.

What Makes Trex Different?

Trex didn’t just enter the composite decking game—it invented it. That origin gives it a clear advantage: decades of technical expertise, proprietary innovation, and real-world experience that newer brands simply haven’t had time to catch up to. While other companies are still building out their product lines, Trex has spent over 30 years refining theirs through rigorous testing and direct feedback from builders and homeowners alike.

Of course, like any composite product, Trex has its pros and cons. But when it comes to setting the standard for durability, performance, and long-term value, Trex remains the benchmark every other brand is trying to beat.

Top Three Areas Where Trex Remains the Top – From a Builder’s Perspective

Durability – Even in Texas

We’ve worked with every major brand of composite decking, and Trex consistently proves to be the most durable over time. Where other boards fade, scratch, or swell after a few seasons, Trex holds its shape and color even under harsh Texas conditions—scorching sun, humidity, and heavy use. Thanks to its improved core, fade-resistant shell, and moisture-blocking design, Trex won’t warp, crack, or peel like lower-grade composites often do.

It’s the deck we don’t get callbacks about.

Selection – You Get What You Want

Trex has one of the most intelligently structured product lineups in the composite decking industry. With three clearly defined tiers—Enhance®, Select®, and Transcend®—the selection process is straightforward. Each line serves a distinct purpose and price point, allowing homeowners to choose confidently based on their needs and budget.

Unlike some competitors, Trex avoids product overlap and unnecessary complexity. Brands like TimberTech and Fiberon offer a broader catalog, but the differences between lines are often minimal and confusing to the average buyer. Trex keeps it simple—and that simplicity is backed by performance data and decades of refinement.

The range of available colors, textures, and finishes is broad enough to suit almost any design style, and Trex consistently updates its offerings to reflect current architectural and homeowner trends. Add in a fully compatible ecosystem of fascia, railing, lighting, and fasteners, and you get a system that’s both flexible and reliable.

In terms of selection, Trex doesn’t just offer variety—it offers clarity. That’s what sets it apart.

Cost Savings

We get it—Trex costs a bit more upfront than pressure-treated wood. That’s usually the first thing homeowners notice. But here’s what they don’t always see: a typical wood deck needs to be stained or sealed every 1–2 years. That’s $500–$1,200 per treatment if you do it yourself, not to mention the time or hassle. Add in board replacements, warped lumber, and general upkeep, and you’re easily looking at $4,000–$6,000 in maintenance costs over the first 10 years.

Trex? You rinse it with a hose. That’s it. No chemicals. No yearly to-do list. And with a 25-year fade and stain warranty (plus double labor coverage from us and Trex), it’s protected better than any wood deck ever will be. So yeah, it costs more upfront, but over time? It saves you thousands. And gives you your weekends back.

How Trex Is Made

Trex starts with recycled materials—but it’s not just a matter of melting down plastic and pressing out boards. Each piece goes through a carefully engineered process to ensure long-term performance, durability, and beauty.

Step 1

Plastic is Recycled

Trex starts with plastic film—think grocery bags, stretch wrap, pallet packaging, and other stuff that usually ends up in landfills. Instead, it’s collected, cleaned, and processed. Every year, Trex keeps hundreds of millions of pounds of plastic out of the waste stream, giving it a second life as part of something useful and long-lasting. That’s real-world recycling in action. Learn more here.

Step 2

Wood is Reclaimed

The other half of the Trex formula is reclaimed hardwood—specifically sawdust and wood shavings gathered from furniture and flooring factories. It’s clean, dry, and consistent—exactly what’s needed to bond properly with the recycled plastic. No trees are cut down to make Trex, and the use of reclaimed wood helps keep natural resources in balance.

Step 3

Materials are Blended

This is where the magic happens. The recycled plastic and hardwood fibers are combined under high heat and mixed into a dense, moldable composite. True to their roots, Trex still uses repurposed bread-making machines—refitted for industrial strength—to mix the materials with precision. The result is a consistently blended material with no soft spots, air gaps, or inconsistencies.

Step 4

Boards are Formed

Once the composite mix is ready, it’s pushed through precision molds to form decking boards with consistent dimensions and rich, wood-like grain. But the real game-changer happens next. In a proprietary, top-secret process, each board is bonded with a protective outer shell—not a coating that can flake off. This shell makes up the 5% of Trex that isn’t recycled and gives the product the extreme durability it’s known for.

Step 5

Quality is Guaranteed

Every board goes through a series of inspections before it ever leaves the factory. Trex tests for strength, color consistency, surface quality, and overall performance to make sure nothing slips through the cracks—literally. The process is dialed in to deliver reliable results, batch after batch. And when a board meets the standard, it’s backed by a 25-, 35-, or 50-year warranty, depending on the line. Learn more here.

Trex Isn’t Trying To Be Wood – And That’s The Point

Composite decking isn’t a copy of wood—it’s a smarter alternative. As builders who’ve worked with just about every type of decking out there, we like Trex because it makes sense. It’s easier to install, holds up better over time, and our clients are thrilled with the results. No splinters, no sealing, no surprises—just a clean, beautiful deck that stays that way.

We also like knowing the product we’re building with is sustainable. Trex doesn’t require cutting down forests to make something look natural. It’s made from recycled materials, backed by a great warranty, and supported by a great team of reps who actually pick up their phone. That kind of trust—between builder, client, and manufacturer—is hard to come by, and it’s why we believe Trex is the best decking choice there is.

What Are My Trex Options?

Trex isn’t one-size-fits-all. With multiple lines to choose from, there’s a style and price point for every homeowner—from budget builds to premium outdoor living spaces. Here’s a quick breakdown of what’s available—and what makes each line stand out.

Trex Enhance®

Affordable, Durable, Beautiful

Perfect for homeowners who want composite performance at a price close to wood. Available in 4 natural and 3 basic color tones. Backed by a 25-year warranty.

Colors Available: Trex Enhance® offers a selection of 7 colors, including Clam Shell, Rocky Harbor, Beach Dune, and Saddle.
Scratch Resistance: While Enhance provides good durability for its class, it has moderate scratch resistance. It’s suitable for standard residential use but may show wear over time in high-traffic areas.
Weight Considerations: Enhance boards are lighter than higher-end Trex lines due to the boards having a scalloped profile, making them easier to handle and install. This can be advantageous for DIY projects or when working with limited labor.
Heat Mitigation: No heat mitigation technology. Darker colors in the Enhance line will retain more heat. For the Texas climate, opting for lighter shades like Foggy Wharf or Rocky Harbor will help keep the deck surface cooler.

Builder’s Insight: Trex Enhance® is an excellent choice for homeowners seeking a balance between cost and performance. We personally love the Toasted Sand color and have installed it on many decks. It is an excellent product, and the lighter weight of this product puts less stress on the deck’s substructure. It is scratch resistant, but we advise using protective pads under heavy furniture to maintain the surface’s appearance over the years.

Trex Select®

Simple, Smart, and Solid

A step up in durability. Easier to install and a favorite for smaller decks and upgrades. Backed by a 35-year warranty.

Colors Available: Trex Select® comes in two earth tones, Saddle and Pebble Grey.
Scratch Resistance: Select offers higher scratch resistance, suitable for typical residential applications. While durable, using furniture pads and regular maintenance can help prolong its pristine look.
Weight Considerations: Trex Select uses solid boards, adding to their sturdiness. They strike a good balance between durability and ease of installation.
Heat Mitigation: No heat mitigation technology. As with other lines, darker colors will absorb more heat. Choosing lighter hues can help in maintaining a cooler deck surface in sunny conditions.

Builder’s Insight: Trex Select® is a versatile mid-tier option that offers a classic look with reliable performance. It’s a solid choice for homeowners wanting a step up from the basics without a significant jump in cost. However, we don’t generally recommend it compared to the Transcend line, which has way more attractive colors and heat mitigation technology.

Trex Transcend®

High-End Look, Extreme Performance

Thicker boards, deeper colors, and rich woodgrain textures. Ideal for premium projects and those who want a bold look with ultra-durability. Backed by a 50-year warranty.

Colors Available: Trex Transcend® boasts a rich palette of 6 different colors, including tropical shades like Tiki Torch, Havana Gold, and Island Mist, as well as classic earth tones.
Scratch Resistance: This line offers some of the highest scratch resistance, making it suitable for high-traffic areas and homes with pets or active outdoor lifestyles.
Weight Considerations: Transcend boards are denser and heavier, contributing to their durability and solid feel underfoot. This requires more effort during installation but results in a robust deck structure.
Heat Mitigation: Darker colors always become quite warm in direct sunlight. Choose light colors like Rope Swing or Havana Gold if you want cooler surfaces, and ensure the deck has adequate shading.

Builder’s Insight: For clients seeking a luxurious finish with long-term durability, Trex Transcend® is our top recommendation. Its weight and density translate to a premium feel, and the scratch resistance ensures it remains looking new for decades.

Trex Transcend Lineage®

Cooler Boards, Same Transcend Strength

Lineage stays cooler under the sun with heat-mitigating tech. Perfect for hot climates (hello, Texas!). It has a unique and gorgeous brushed wood grain texture and the same great 50-year warranty.

Colors Available: Transcend Lineage® is available in five on-trend colors: Island Mist, Rainier, Carmel, Biscayne, and Jasper.
Scratch Resistance: Building upon the Transcend line, Lineage offers excellent scratch resistance, suitable for bustling households and entertaining spaces.
Weight Considerations: Similar in weight to Transcend, these boards provide a sturdy and substantial decking option.
Heat Mitigation: Engineered with advanced heat-mitigating technology, Lineage boards are designed to stay cooler underfoot compared to other composite options, and when paired with their light-colored options like Rainier or Biscayne, it makes a real difference.

Builder’s Insight: In regions with intense sun exposure, Trex Transcend Lineage® is a game-changer. Clients appreciate the cooler surface, and as builders, we value the ease of installation and the product’s longevity. The only con is that Lineage is marginally more prone to scratching than regular Transcend due to its premium wood-grain texture, which has higher and finer ridges.

Trex Signature®

Sleek. Strong. Luxurious.

The top tier of Trex. Clean lines, a modern color palette, and unmatched fade resistance. For the homeowner who wants the best.

Colors Available: Trex Signature® decking is offered in two sophisticated colors: Whidbey and Ocracoke. These colors are reminiscent of Ipe, an exotic hardwood that is brown when first installed and ages to a prestigious grey with time.
Scratch Resistance: Signature is Trex’s most scratch-resistant line, ideal for commercial applications or residential spaces that demand the highest durability.
Weight Considerations: These boards are designed for superior strength and are the heaviest offering, reflecting their robust construction and premium quality.
Heat Mitigation: Signature does not have heat-mitigating technology, and like the other lines, selecting lighter colors helps keep the deck surface cool.

Builder’s Insight: For projects where only the best will suffice, Trex Signature® delivers unparalleled performance and aesthetics. Its superior scratch resistance and sleek design make it a favorite for high-end installations, especially as a longer-lasting and more environmentally conscious choice.

Unsure What Trex Line is Right For You?

We get it. There’s a lot to love—and choosing the right deck for you depends on your home, your goals, and your lifestyle. That’s where we come in.

At Reddy Pros, we don’t just install Trex—we understand it. Deck building is our profession, and we love helping homeowners like you design the perfect outdoor living space from the ground up. Want to know every step? We’ll walk you through it. Prefer to skip the hassle? Once we understand your vision, you can go on vacation—we’ll have your dream deck ready when you return.

We can meet you at your home whenever is convenient for you, or you can experience Trex firsthand at our showroom.

Ready to take the next step?