Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to your most frequently asked questions below. If you do not find an answer to your question in the FAQ, please contact us.
Who is Trex?
Trex Company, Inc. is the manufacturer of Trex® decking, railing, fencing and trim and is the leading brand of alternative decking lumber in North America. A former division of Mobil Corporation, the company was formed by four Mobil executives in 1995 and went public in April 1999. Trex Company's headquarters and a manufacturing facility are located in Winchester, VA. Trex Company also has a manufacturing facility in Fernley, NV.
Why are Trex decking, railing, fencing and trim products better than real wood?
Trex products offer a level of style, comfort and performance you can't get from wood. Trex won't rot, warp, or splinter; and Trex never requires staining or painting to maintain great looks.
If Trex is made from recycled materials, why is it more expensive than wood?
While most of the raw materials used in making Trex are recycled, these materials are carefully processed to ensure the highest level of quality and performance. You can learn more about our materials and processes on the Environmentally Friendly page.
What is the lifetime value of Trex?
Because Trex minimizes maintenance costs, value is quickly gained over time. After four years, the total cost of owning a Trex deck equals the cost of a pressure-treated wood deck. And over the life of the purchase, Trex offers a far greater value than wood.
Will Trex products change color or fade?
Trex is designed to weather. Because the wood fiber in Trex will be exposed to water and sunlight, the product will lighten over time. Trex will achieve its weathered color after 12-16 weeks.
Can you send me product samples?
We do not send product samples. However, you can find Trex samples at your local dealer as well as The Home Depot and Lowes stores.
Why is Trex not structural?
Trex has made a market decision to offer a product that will provide the customer with a superior walking surface, guardrail system, fencing and trim.
How heavy is Trex?
Trex is about 50-70% heavier than comparable lumber sections with a specific gravity of about 0.96.
Is Trex code-compliant?
Trex products have been tested to ensure compliance with the 2006 International Building Code. Check with our local building code department for jurisdictional requirements.
Does Trex decking get hotter than pressure-treated wood?
No, in an independent study, Trex was comparable in surface temps to pressure treated boards. Why is the TrexExpress™ railing assembly tool not included with the railing kits? Most decking systems require multiple railing sections. Since only one TrexExpress tool is necessary, it would drive up the cost of the system. TrexExpress railing assembly tools are available wherever Trex railing products are sold.
Can Trex Seclusions® Privacy Fencing be installed on concrete or attached to a brick column?
Yes, you can attach Trex fencing to masonry.
How do you clean Trex Seclusions® Privacy Fencing?
Trex Seclusions is made of the same material as Trex decking, so the same cleaning methods apply. You can find more information about how to clean Trex in the cleaning guide.
Can I sand or rout Trex Escapes®?
No. Coextruded PVC products, like Trex Escapes, should not be sanded or routed.
Can I rout TrexTrim™?
Yes, TrexTrim can be routed. We suggest leaving the protective film on for cleaner results. Can I rip TrexTrim? TrexTrim should not be ripped to reduce thickness, but can be ripped to reduce the width. Use care when fastening, as ripped TrexTrim may require pre-drilling prior to fastening.
Do I have to paint TrexTrim?
TrexTrim comes with a protective release film that preserves a flawless finish from the plant to the job site. While TrexTrim can be painted for aesthetic reasons, it is not necessary for its protection or structural performance.
Can Trex decking be curved?
Trex can be curved with the proper tools and instructions. Please see our Installation Guide for more information.
Can the edges of Trex be routed?
Trex routs beautifully to give extremely crisp edges. However, do not rout balusters or 4x4 profiles. We also do not recommend routing Trex Brasilia® or Trex Escapes® as routing will change the unique surface of this product.
Can a groove be cut in the side of a Trex deck board?
Yes, a groove can be cut in the side of Trex wood polymer decking to accept hidden fasteners. Trex also offers grooved boards on select product lines (Trex Brasilia® and Trex Accents®.) Do not groove Trex Escapes®.
Can I rip a Trex deck board?
Trex products should not be ripped to reduce thickness, but can be ripped to reduce width. As long as the board can still be installed per the installation instructions the warranty will be valid. Please use care when fastening ripped boards, as pre-drilling may be necessary.
Can Trex be sanded or power washed?
We do not recommend sanding because sanding will change the appearance of the Trex material surface. Using a power washer with greater than 1500 psi and/or applied closer than 12" from the deck surface could damage the decking surface. Any issues related to the sanding or power washing will not be covered under the Trex warranty.
Can Trex deck boards be glued?
No, glue cannot be used as a primary fastener. Can Trex be placed over a solid surface? Trex can only be installed over a solid surface when using a sleeper system; please see the sleeper system guidelines in our Installation Guide.
Can I notch Trex Railposts™?
Trex Railposts cannot be notched. Trex does not endorse the notching of any post to be used in a guardrail system application.
Can I paint or stain Trex products?
Although Trex does not require painting or staining for maintenance purposes, it can be done. Please refer to the painting guidelines for more information.
What makes the Tropical Color Styles different from the rest of the Transcend product line?
The proprietary creative process at Trex randomly mixes a rich base color with an even deeper streak color, resulting in a beautifully unique, organic look for every tropical board we produce. Our Lava Rock features a more subtle range of color; with Spiced Rum, the variety is more pronounced. This means bundle by bundle, no two boards will look the same-nor like anyone else's.