Trex Transcend Decking

This article is about Trex Transcend™ Decking. However I have decided to include my experience on a host of other composite type decking so you might use this information as a handy reference in your selection of the best valued product for your next project.

Transcend™ decking is a member of the newest generation of man made products. I often refer to it as a hybrid since it has combined the best properties of composite decking with the best properties of the new PVC decking products. Let me first touch on the features and drawbacks of these other two products and then I will explain why I believe this new Transcend™ product is a best value.

First let's talk about composite decking since it has been around the longest. Composite is just what the name implies, depending on the product it is a combination of wood fiber and recycled plastic. A couple of great examples are the Trex Origins™ and Brasilia™ products. Composite products are very durable and they have made great improvements to the finishes and colors as exemplified in these two products. However the most common drawback or complaint I hear from my clients is in regard to the issues of fading and staining. These are common problems inherent to all composite products because of the fact that a large part of the material makeup consists of wood fiber. Wood fiber is porous and thus more likely to absorb stains. Because of its porous nature it is also more likely to give up some of its color over time and appear faded. While neither of these issues affect performance or overall durability of the product they do detract from the appearance, and after all you are spending a lot of money on a beautiful looking deck.

This brings me to the subject of PVC decking. PVC products like Timbertech® XLM®Plank are considered by many to be the answer to the issues of fading and staining. Because of their material makeup they are sealed on the exterior with a harder less porous PVC shell. As a result Timbertech® puts a 25 year limited residential warranty on this product. The downsides to PVC are its price as it tends to be on the upper tier of product cost and in my opinion its appearance, as most products I have dealt with directly still have a rather plastic or unnatural look.

Now that we have touched on the basic differences between composite and PVC let's take a more in depth look at why I feel Trex Transcend™ Decking is the best value on the market today. Transcend™ combines the cost effective technology of composite core with a tough durable stain and fade resistant outer shell of PVC on the top and two sides of each plank. I went to a very informational training session on this product line recently and the presenter started the session by laying three pieces of decking on a sheet of plastic then pouring ketchup, mustard, Italian dressing, and red wine in a large glob on the planks. We proceeded to cover topics on why this product was so different and installation practices related to the product for the next hour. At the end of the hour we all gathered around the sample and watched him clean everything up with just a water soaked towel. No stains, no discoloration, and best of all, No scrubbing to get it clean. The best part is that with all the value added durability this product is typically priced well under any true PVC product and is actually priced around the price of a good composite making it one of the best values on the market. Did I mention that it also comes with a 25 year limited warranty against staining and fading in residential applications?

Also for those of you who want to Keep it Green, Trex is made of 95% recycled materials, including plastic shopping bags, reclaimed wood and sawdust so Trex saves around 600 million pounds of plastic and wood scrap from landfills every year.

So there you have it, if a new deck is in your future I believe you owe it to yourself to research all your options but pay special attention to the question of how will the products you select hold up to the two biggest deck complaints today, staining and fading.

If you found this article helpful please drop me a note. I am looking for questions to create more in depth articles on this topic or ideas for other related article topics. You can keep up on all my work by checking out my site blog listed below.

Read more about Deck and Patio Design as well as Indoor Living Outdoors through my web site and research.

Composite Deck Review

There are varying opinions and reviews out there regarding Composite Deck Materials (good and bad) so I may as well add mine to the mix.

Composite deck materials or WPC (wood, plastic, composite) are slowly gaining popularity. According to a market study done by: Principia Partners for new, remodeled and replacement decks market share of deck boards based on millions of linear feet, from 2004-2009 WPC has gained 14% over pressure treated softwoods or PTS.

While 65% of the decks installed are made with PTS, the consumers are realizing that the initial lower cost is being offset with the almost yearly maintenance. This coupled with the "Go Green" revolution is giving rise to the increase in popularity with WPC.

The cost of a composite deck can be up to 3 1/2 times higher and will still require some upkeep. There are lots of deck builders that have experience working with WPC so finding a deck contractor for WPC deck construction should be a easy task.

Some of the Advantages and Disadvantages

1- Composite decks can have a higher heat retention but can be offset by purchasing a lighter color.
2- The cost is higher than a wood deck but you have more choices on deck design with your deck ideas.
3- Surface is of composite decking is nonskid vs wood deck with stain applied.
4- No splintering or warping that you get with PTS.
5- No reapplying of weather sealant/stain every 2-3 years although some of the manufacturers recommend a light application.
6- WPC has wood fibers with the recycled plastics and when cut and left exposed are subject to rot and mold unless it has additives such as zinc borate.
7- WPC contains plastic, either polyethylene which is recycled and more malleable plastic and wood fiber, or polypropylene which is virgin plastic which is more rigid.
8- WPC can stain with oil, rust, wine, chemicals or grease from your BBQ grill but can be minimised with an approved protectant.
9- Some of the WPC's are softer than others and will scratch easier.
10- You can choose from a variety of colors, textures and wood grain simulations.
11- They call WPC environmentally friendly but yet the chemicals that are needed to clean are not quite so environmentally friendly.
12- If scratched or stained you have to replace and can not refinish like you can with wood.



I have been in deck construction for a long time and have seen products come and go. I like working with the different brands of WPC and have been very pleased with ease of installation as well as the appearance
but only time will tell if it will last as some of the claims made.

If you are considering deck construction with WPC then first do a online search on the composite's that are available and what some of the pro's and con's are so that you can make an informed decision.

Here is a short list of some of the more popular Composite Deck Materials available: Trex, Timbertech, Correct Deck, Choice Deck, Ultradeck, Veranda Decking and Lattitudes.

Terry Campbell has over thirty years experience as a fence, patio cover and More on Composite Deck Review in the Dallas, Texas metro area.

Trex Decking Prices - Look Beyond The Price For The Ultimate Deck

Trex decking prices are quite high when you compare them to the prices of other decking material. However, there are advantages to paying the higher Trex decking prices when you want a quality deck. Trex decking is one of the composite decking materials on the market that has a high percentage of wood. If you are looking online for decking material, the information about Trex decking prices and the material will tell you that this decking does not require the same amount of maintenance that you would have with wood.

Trex decking material is recyclable and environmentally friendly. Other impressive features include the fact that it does not rot or crack, you don't have to stain or paint it and it performs well in cold weather. When you look at these features and compare the Trex decking prices to the prices and features of other types of decking material, you will see that you are getting the most benefit for your money. Looking for Trex decking online will also give you tips about to install and clean the decking material.


Just as with wood, you can saw and fasten Trex decking material to a wood frame. Although you can also do this with other composite decking materials with lower prices than that of Trex decking prices, your deck will stay looking new for a lifetime. You can order Trex decking online if your local supplier does not carry it. By searching online, you can also purchase kits using Trex decking in various sizes and shapes.

Even though Trex decking prices are higher than average, the Trex decking material will fade slightly in the first few days after you build your deck. This is not a defect in the Trex decking, but is a natural process that you will find with any composite decking material. The composite decking has to become acclimatized to the location and after the initial fading, the decking material will remain true to the color.


Trex decking material is made from used wood and plastic. Sometimes the wood is sawdust and the plastic may be recycled as well. You will find that the color of the decking goes all the way through and is not just on the surface. When you decide to pay the higher Trex decking prices and place your order online, you will also need to purchase an installation kit. This kit does not come with the Trex decking and so adds additional cost to the Trex decking prices. You will have to allow for this in your decking budget. If the prices are a bit too high, but you really want a Trex deck, you can watch the sales and wait for the prices to go down. This happens several times a year and will enable you to get the deck you want at a lower price.

To find out more about Decking visit Peter's Website The Decking Guide and find out about Trex Decking and more, including Wood Decking, IPE Decking, Composite Decking and Pool Decking.