Having a deck built, performing deck repairs, or undertaking a full deck replacement has numerous advantages, from increasing your property’s usable square footage and providing a great space to entertain friends to increasing your house’s value and boosting its curb appeal.
If you are not sure whether you need to perform a full deck replacement, assessing old decking can help determine if your existing deck can be refurbished or repaired rather than replaced entirely. If your current deck is warping, splintering, rotting, or has a damaged deck surface or loose ledger board, it is time for a deck replacement.
With so many decking material options on the market, from traditional wood deck to composite deck materials, how do you know which to choose when it’s time to repair or replace your old deck?
For decades, wood has been the go-to material for a deck surface. If you are replacing an existing deck, chances are it is made of wood. However, modern materials science and manufacturing processes have allowed new, high-performance composite materials to enter the market, which can offer a number of benefits over more traditional options.
Trex is one of the world’s leading manufacturers and suppliers of composite decking.
In this post, we will look at the advantages and disadvantages of Trex composite decking compared to traditional wood decking to help you make a more informed choice for your new deck or deck replacement.
Choosing Between Trex Decking and Traditional Wood for Your New Deck or Deck Replacement
Choosing the right decking material can make all the difference in your deck replacement remodeling project.
The material you choose will impact not only the cost and aesthetic appeal of your deck, but also its longevity, maintenance requirements, safety, and even its sustainability credentials.
Many homeowners opt for wood deck boards because the initial cost is lower. However, Trex composite decking—which is made from primarily recycled materials such as recycled plastic film and reclaimed sawdust—can offer an edge to your deck replacement in a number of ways.
Composite decks made from manufactured decking materials are not only visually appealing but also cost-effective.
Read on to learn more about the advantages of choosing Trex for your deck replacement.
Durability and Longevity: How Trex Composite Decking Outperforms Wood Deck Boards
Investing in higher-quality materials like Trex for your deck replacement can enhance its durability and increase the resale value of your home.
Trex composite decking offers superior resistance to extreme weather, water ingress, rot, and insect damage (such as termite damage) compared to wood decking. These traits make it particularly valuable in the changeable climate of San Francisco and the Bay Area.
Unlike wood decking, which naturally suffers from wear and tear over time, Trex’s composite materials are highly durable and will remain in good condition for many years to come. This makes them a superior choice for your new deck project or deck replacement.
Depending on the type of wood used, wooden decking typically has a lifespan of 10-15 years. Cedar or pressure-treated lumber decking can sometimes last up to 20 years if it is well maintained. Trex decking, on the other hand, can last 25-50 years.
Deck Repair, Maintenance and Upkeep: Why Trex Decking Is a Low-Maintenance Choice
Trex’s composite materials are resistant to staining, fading, scratching, and warping, all of which naturally occur over time with a wood deck. In addition, Trex deck boards won’t splinter and a composite deck surface is less slippery than wood when it gets wet, meaning that it is a safer choice for those with small kids or pets at home.
If your current deck is made of wood, you will already understand the maintenance a real wood deck requires.
To keep wooden decking performing well and looking its best, a robust maintenance routine of regular inspections, major or minor repairs, resealing, and restaining the wood boards is required. Structural issues also mean that you will need to replace deck boards with new boards from time to time.
Trex composite decking, on the other hand, is designed to be low-maintenance, saving you time and money in the long run and allowing you more time to enjoy your new deck without needing to perform repairs.
It is easy to clean your Trex decking with warm water, household soap, and a soft-bristled brush. For a deeper clean, you can use a pressure washer.
Other occasional minor deck repairs such as repairing or replacing rusted or loose fasteners and checking for a loose ledger board may also be necessary. These steps will reduce overall maintenance costs and ensure your deck’s health over its lifespan.
The Eco Factor: Trex Decking Material as a Sustainable Alternative
Wood is often considered a sustainable material due to its renewability. However, the environmental impact of deforestation for wooden decking is significant, harming the global ecosystem and contributing to climate change. It can be difficult for eco-conscious homeowners to be sure that the wood for their deck has been sourced from a sustainable forest.
Trex decking, on the other hand, is made from recycled materials, and the company is proud to state that it has never cut down a single tree to make its products. Trex decking consists of 95% recycled plastic film and reclaimed sawdust, saving over 990 million pounds of plastic and timber from going into landfills each year.
In addition, Trex uses environmentally friendly manufacturing processes without harmful chemicals and maintains a sustainable supply chain.
Cost Considerations: Up-Front Investment vs. Long-Term Savings
If we consider only the up-front cost, Trex decking is a more expensive choice than wooden decking for your deck replacement. Trex costs around 20%-30% more per square foot compared to wood, depending upon the exact styles and finishes you choose.
However, thanks to its superior durability and lower maintenance requirements, manufactured decking such as Trex is cost-effective in the long term.
Even with the best maintenance practices, you are likely to need to repair or replace deck boards on a wooden deck after a few years and perform a full deck replacement every 10-15 years. Trex, on the other hand, can continue to look good and perform well for many decades.
In addition, you will not need to buy expensive stains and seals to maintain your Trex decking, making it a better investment for cost-conscious homeowners.
Aesthetic Appeal and Customization: Finding the Right Look for Your Outdoor Space
Installing new decking can significantly enhance the aesthetic appeal of your outdoor space. Though wooden decking can initially look beautiful, its aesthetic appeal fades over time due to weather damage, wear and tear, fading, and warping.
Composite decking such as Trex, on the other hand, mimics the look of natural wood without the accompanying drawbacks and will look as good as new for decades.
Wood also offers limited options for customization, whereas composite decks like Trex are available in a huge variety of colors, textures, finishes, railing options and more, allowing you to choose the perfect look for your outdoor space.
Which Decking Option Is Right for Your Deck Replacement Project?
Though wood has long been the traditional choice for decks, new composite materials such as Trex offer a number of compelling advantages for your full deck replacement project.
Trex decking will save money over time, with your deck remaining in good shape and performing well for longer without the need for costly and time-consuming maintenance. It is also an environmentally friendly choice.
And, with so many customization options available, your Trex deck can be designed to perfectly match your aesthetic preferences and design goals for your house.
Building your own deck can be a rewarding DIY job, offering cost-saving benefits and the satisfaction of personal accomplishment, though it requires a lot of experience and knowledge to ensure a proper build. If you do not have this knowledge and expertise, it is a better idea to hire a deck replacement contractor to do the job for you.
Here at Bayside Builders Group, we have been offering premier home renovation, remodeling, and general contractor services to the residents of San Francisco and the Bay Area since 2011.
All our work is insured and guaranteed to be compliant with current code. We will work closely with you to create a full deck replacement to your exact specifications, and we are proud to supply and install Trex decking products for our clients.
Check out our portfolio of completed deck projects to get inspired, or contact us today for a no-obligation estimate.