Compare the deck boards price, color, maintenance costs, and durability between wood and the Trex decking lines.
Trex high-performance decking and railing products combine low-maintenance upkeep and design-minded style—all backed by our 25-, 35- and 50-year limited warranties. The protective shell technology means all of our deck boards resist staining, fading, and cracking, are resistant to scratching with Signature decking our most scratch-resistant board. Beyond that, Trex offers a variety of high-performance railing choices to meet different levels of style, performance and affordability.
Decking Lines
Luxury: Trex Signature® Decking
Distinctively durable and luxuriously crafted with eco-friendly composite made out of recycled and reclaimed materials, Trex Signature decking sets a new standard for style in outdoor living. Offering homeowners and designers alike a new design material crafted with the most realistic wood grain that replicates the elegance of exotic hardwood, all backed by a 50-year warranty. Signature is Trex's most scratch-resistant decking board.
Best: Trex Transcend® Lineage™ and Trex Transcend® Decking
These decking lines offer the broadest range of decking colors and finishes. Engineered with a proprietary shell technology that protects against fading, staining, scratching, mold and mildew, our best decking lines are backed by a 50-year warranty. Plus, Trex Transcend Lineage uses heat-mitigating technology that makes it our coolest decking yet.*
*Although Trex Transcend Lineage is designed to be cooler than most other composite decking products of a similar color, on a hot sunny day, it will get hot. On hot days, care should be taken to avoid extended contact between exposed skin and the deck surface, especially with young children and those with special needs.
Better: Trex Select® Decking
A 35-year warranty backs our Trex Select decking line. The fade and stain protection, as well as enhanced mold and mildew resistance, make maintenance simple. The perfect pairing of price and minimal maintenance, Select is a simple choice. Note: Select boards are slightly thinner than all Transcend and Enhance decking. These decking lines should not be combined to avoid tripping hazards.
Good: Trex Enhance® Decking
With its nature-inspired, authentic wood-grain appearance and lightweight, scalloped profile for simple handling, this collection offers the beauty of wood with the ease of composite. Available in a variety of monochromatic and multi-tonal shades and backed by a 25-year warranty.
Railing Lines
Best: Trex Signature® Railing
Trex Signature aluminum railing offers a minimalist style with maximum strength. This railing is compatible with four unique infill options: glass, mesh, rod rail, and square balusters. Trex Signature also performs equally well in residential or commercial settings. Plus, aluminum is 100% recyclable. A 25-year warranty backs Trex Signature railing.
Better: Trex Transcend® Railing
Trex Transcend railing offers nearly limitless opportunities to mix and match profiles and colors for a customized look. Our highest-performance railing option offers more colors in more component profiles than any other Trex railing line.
Good: Trex Select® Railing
This railing line is our most affordable high-performance system. Available in two configurations, Classic and T-Rail, it is the simple choice for your backyard.
Trex offers a wide variety of decking options and railing configurations capable of being custom curved. When considering a deck with these characteristics, utilize the Find a Builder tool to determine which professionals in your area work on curved profiles. When planning curved railing, visit our Trex Signature® Curved Railing page for design and ordering guidance.
Note: Due to the unique composition of Trex Signature® decking we do not recommend heating and curving this product.
Trex decking is available in three distinctive collections: Enhance (Good), Select (Better) and Transcend (Best). The differences between these three lines are defined by their durability, scratch resistance, color options, profiles and price.
Trex decking is warranted for 25, 35, and 50 years, depending upon the collection used. All three Transcend lines are backed by a 50-year limited warranty; Select a 35-year limited warranty, and both Enhance Naturals and Basics come with a 25-year limited warranty. When installing the deck boards, it is important to follow the installation guidelines, in part so you don’t void the warranty.. You’ll extend the life of your deck by giving care to your substructure as well.
On average, the estimated material cost for a composite deck runs from $15 - $30 per square foot (including substructure, decking, hardware and fasteners). We recommend using our online cost calculator tool and guide to get an estimate for your project's cost. For a true cost estimate, reach out to a Trex retailer or TrexPro deck builder.
*Average price range excludes Trex Signature® decking, our luxury decking collection. Trex actual material costs and install costs can and will vary based on geographic area, site location, seasonality, design complexity, whether the product is stocked locally, and additional features such as stairs, angles, curves, lighting, etc. For most professionally installed projects, materials constitute up to one third of the total cost.
Just like many other outdoor walking surfaces, composite decking can get hot due to sun exposure or weather. On these hot days - care needs to be taken to make sure skin does not have extended contact with the surface of the deck. For hotter climates, we recommend choosing a lighter color or one of our Lineage deck boards. The Transcend Lineage line of decking is engineered with heat-mitigating technology to give you our coolest decking yet.* It offers a noticeably cooler board than any of our other decking collections.
Trex decking has a moderate traction level and like most outdoor walking surfaces, can become slick when it rains, ices or snows. We recommend taking caution on these days and using rock salt or calcium chloride to prevent ice or snow build-up. When first practical, we recommend rinsing the deck and cleaning with warm soapy water (with mild dish soap) when the weather changes.
Composite changed the way decks are built. For decades, wood was the material of choice for outdoor living spaces, but with consumers demanding easy maintenance and luxury looks, composites have grown in popularity. Trex composite decking is sustainably made from 95% recycled materials, including reclaimed wood and polyethylene film. Trex decking doesn’t splinter, rot or decay like pressure-treated lumber, and never needs sanding, staining or painting. With budget options comparable with pressure-treated wood, it raises the question – why “wood” you use anything else?
It’s important to consider how you will use your outdoor space when selecting your decking material. Consider the wear and tear your deck will take. Do you have a pet? Will your deck endure foot traffic? Do you do a lot of entertaining and require a grill area? Will you move heavy furniture back and forth frequently? For decks that get a workout, Transcend decking presents the highest level of scratch resistance. If your budget is the top consideration, our entry-level Enhance collection, priced to put the pressure on wood, maybe for you.
Trex Transcend, labeled as our “best” decking line, combines the look of elegant exotic wood with the versatility and durability of composites. With a realistic wood-like grain and 12 colors between our Lineage, Tropicals, and Earth Tones collections, Transcend offers endless possibilities for your dream backyard.. Transcend stands out with five-star scratch resistance, making it the go-to decking for puppy-filled spaces or busy community gathering spots.
No matter which deck you pick, you can feel good about your choice knowing that our decking is not only good for you but also good for the planet. Trex decking is sustainably made from 95% recycled materials including reclaimed wood and recycled plastic film.
Please note that the darker the color, the hotter the deck will feel in the sun. For hotter climates, consumers should consider choosing a lighter color or an option with heat-mitigating technology.
*Although Trex Transcend Lineage is designed to be cooler than most other composite decking products of a similar color, on a hot sunny day, it will get hot. On hot days, care should be taken to avoid extended contact between exposed skin and the deck surface, especially with young children and those with special needs.