Tips and Tricks from the Pros

More public and commercial builders use Trex® in their outdoor projects because it is the most attractive, low-maintenance, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly option in wood-alternative outdoor materials. Below you will find installation tips, advice and other helpful insights from Trex professionals.

Tool Tips

No special tools are required to install Trex, but here are some tips to help you get off to a fast start:

• For best results, use carbide tipped blades and router bits.
• Use rubbing alcohol to remove any visible printing on the sides of the boards.
• When using a miter box saw, we recommend a 10 to 12” saw with 30 teeth or less. Saw blades with fewer teeth stay cooler and last longer.
• Screw guns are a fast and easy way to fasten Trex.

Fastening Tips

Trex products can be assembled with most traditional outdoor fastening methods. Trex has no grain and will not split as long as fasteners are started 1” from board edges and angled into the joist.

Hot dipped, galvanized, ceramic coated and stainless steel fasteners resist rust and stains. We recommend using the following types of fasteners with Trex:

• Trex Hideaway™ Hidden Fasteners — Trex offers hidden fasteners clips that offer easy and fast installation, automatic gapping, and a deck with a completely smooth surface.
• Exterior Grade Deck Screws — Fewer threads per inch work best. You will need to flatten excess shavings after the screw is in place.
• Composite Decking Screws — These screws are designed to pull the shavings into the screw hole. Some are specifically manufactured to coordinate with Trex colors.
• Trim-Head Screws — These screws have sufficient holding power and their small heads decrease screw visibility.
• Nails — Nails are equally effective. Spiral shank nails have extra holding power.

Importance of Gapping

Trex decking must be gapped, both end-to-end and width-to-width. Gapping is necessary to allow for drainage, account for the slight thermal expansion and contraction of Trex boards, and enable shrinkage of the wood joist system.

What Not to Do...

• Do not use chalk lines on a Trex deck unless it is white.
• Remember that sanding will change the surface appearance of Trex material.
• Trex routs beautifully to give extremely crisp edges, but avoid routing 2x2 or 4x4 profiles.

• View and download installation guides.
• Find information on Trex products.