Trex is another name for composite decking.
The Trex comes with long-lasting beauty, incredible and easy to do maintenance, and the best durability.
So, one should not compromise on the performance of composite decking.
Trex pairs itself with other types of decks and proves in a head-to-head comparison that Trex is an industry-leading composite decking maker.
Does Trex Decking Get Hot?
Yes, but to a limit.
It can reach a temperature of around 35 degrees to 79-degree F more than the surrounding air part.
A simple way to say this is by an example that if it is an 80-degree F Day, expect the deck temperature to reach 150-degree F plus.
More than 80% of composite deckers behave similarly when one exposes them to hot climates.
Trex board and its temperature:
We know for sure that composite decking is the leading deck material for this century.
While they do not become any hotter than the traditional wooden, they can still be around 30 to 50 degrees hotter than the surroundings.
PS – The darker the color of your Trex board that you ought to choose, the higher the temperature of the composite decking board.
So, choose lighter colors if you want some degrees lower temperature or darker if you want higher ones.
Trex versus Wooden Decks:
First, everyone loves the aesthetically appealing looks of wood but, at the same time, hates its staining, sealing, and painting.
Also, the wood decks require extensive care and upkeep, even for pressure-treated wood, redwood, or Ipe.
- Wooden decks are prone to all kinds of rots and fade with time, whereas Trex needs less maintenance.
- The Wooden decks can rot due to insect infestations and require deforestation, which is non-eco-friendly.
- Trex does not require even half of the maintenance as the composite boards are of such make that they can easily go through scores of hot weathers or rough usage.
- The manufacture of Trex does not require any tree to fall and hence is eco-friendly.
Trex and the PVC decking material:
One of the most common confusion is which material is the best between Trex and PVC for decking.
On one side, we have Trex, which is a composite decking material and on the other side is the PVC, a plastic.
- While PVC resists any kind of insect infestations, the decking is the least eco-friendly as PVC comes from virgin plastic itself.
- On the other hand, the Trex board make is 95% recycled materials.
- PVCs are pretty prone to problems like chalking and fading, and also, they shrink/ expand with temperatures up down.
- Trex doesn’t have this issue as they are never losing their sophisticated color scheme easily.
Some recommended items:
01. Trex Hideaway Plastic Fasteners – $31.22 to $40.18
- Plastic Fasteners with screws and perfect to use with Trex Decking.
- Ninety pieces in the box.
- Comes with universal fasteners, some stainless-steel screws, and an instruction leaflet.
- Helps in quick installation
02. 10 X 72 COMPOSITE DECK BLADE – $48.99 to $49.90
- The only 72-blade composite Trex and PVC deck blade is recommended for removal of Trex or PVC.
- Cuts the Trex Composite easily. Try to follow Trex’s picture frame method for perfect cuts.
- Some also use them on saw blades or chop saws, and it cuts well.
- Crisp cuts and lasts long.
03. Trex Hideaway Start Clips – $33.45 to $36.89
- Get 36 pieces for 400 sq. ft. of decking work.
- The design is exclusively done for only Trex decking.
- One can use it to install the perimeter of composite deck boards.
- A black and stainless-steel fastener.
- Pretty quick and easy installations.
- It also provides for a clean and gets a fastener-free appearance and that too across the entire surface.
Some other questions…
Related Questions and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1.) Can the composite boarding get too hot?
Answer: When it comes to the best and premier deck material of the 21st century, Composite decking is the one name that comes hands down.
And due to this, they do not cross or become hotter than their traditional wooden counterparts.
On a similar note, the lighter the color, the lower the temperature gains.
Q2.) How much hot can the Timbertech get?
Answer: The vintage TimberTech PVC option decking can reach a temperature of 140 degrees and more for the dark walnut color.
Q3.) Can the composite decking get hot during direct sunlight?
Answer: Yes!
It can get very hot, and this is also one of the top complaints about Composite decking that get uncomfortably hotter in sunlight.
It feels warm to walk barefooted.
Q4.) What are some of the coolest decking materials?
Answer: Ipe is the best cooling option, and Cedar comes second. Cedar maintains a relatively lower temperature, and which is cooler than redwood also.
Q5.) Does Trex and can Trex get hot in the sun?
Answer: Yes.
Well, the Trex does not get hotter any more than the pressure-treated wood types.
However, on a warm sunny day, like any other material, Trex will also get hotter.
As said above, Warmer colors on the darker side will retain more light, and lighter ones will reflect the heat.
Q6.) Is there any decking material that does not get hot?
Answer: No one!
Still, PVC will be heatless, and especially the Cellular PVC boards do not retain as much heat.
On the other hand, the capped composites heat the max and have maximum heat retention among the lot.
Q7.) Is It worth it for the Trex?
Answer: Yes!
With 95% Eco-friendly materials, a durable product, and almost maintenance-free for long years, it is an absolute buy.
Most of the recycled products that go in the manufacturing of the Trex decking include Sawdust, some plastic bags, and wood.
Q8.) What is the shelf life of the Composite decks?
Answer: 25 to 30 years.
Q9.) Which is better out of the two PVC or Composite decking?
Answer: A composite decking is more eco-friendly as companies like Trex make over 95% of products out of recycling material and whereas a PVC needs non-biodegradable plastic.
Also, A PVC does not retain much hear, whereas composite decking feels hotter to the feet on warm sunny days.
Q10.) Does the composite decking get any slippery when it gets wet?
Answer: Not much!
While wood decking gets quite slippery in rains and even some spots are visible on it, composite decking comes with texture-based finishes, and which are slip-resistant completely.
On the other hand, the water and ice accumulation also lead to some slippery conditions on the same deck surface.
Q11.) How can one keep the deck from getting hot?
Answer: The most commonsensical solution is to use a fan or Patio umbrellas which can give some shade to the furniture outside.
Their only disadvantage is limited area coverage.
Q12.) Which is better, TimberTech or the Trex?
Answer: Difficult to say as both sell quality products.
However, the major difference is there in warranties.
Trex gives a 25-year warranty; on the other hand, TimberTech gives a 30-year warranty on fading and staining.
Q13.) Are there any disadvantages to Composite Decking?
Answer: Yes!
Like any other material in the world, some disadvantages are as follow –
- Darker colors often lose their shade with time due to UV rays and weathering.
- Surface damage up to the noticeable level.
- Another is severe scratches and some deep gouges, a common issue with these kinds of products.
Q14.) Do the Trex also fades in the sun like other composite decks?
Answer: Trex uses fade-resistant features, but over time it starts losing its shine for sure.
Q15.) What is the average shelf life of Trex?
Answer: 25 to 32 years on good maintenance.
Q16.) How to remove the scratches, if any, from the composite decking?
Answer: Yes, there is a proper way to do it.
- Begin by holding a heat gun but make sure it to be at a distance of at least 7 inches.
- Then, Make use of a wire brush and scrape it in a similar direction of the grain.
- Keep using the heat gun while doing the step above.
- With some time, the heat gun will soften the decking, and brushing will hence blend the scratch right from where it came.
Q17.) Do pets like dogs dangerous for Trex decking?
Answer: Yes!
It requires less maintenance than the normal wooden decking, but It is softer and is prone to scratches.
Even by some moving furniture or the dogs playing might cause some permanent damage.
Also, they fade with some time.
Q18.) How and can you put the Trex over an already existing deck?
Answer: It is easier to do, and one can call it by the name of Resurfacing your deck with Trex.
One can replace it easily if the foundation is strong and sound.
Final Verdict:
Trex is simply an industry leader since 1996 in the composite deck category and has a solid lineup of products.
Most of their products are high-performing, require low maintenance, and are eco-friendly.
This is the prime reason that many happy deck owners only consider the Trex for decking.
It is a perfect next-gen material for wooden decking as it is quite low on maintenance.
On wooden decks, some common problems were rotting, deforestation, insects’ infestation, and on the Trex decking, this problem does not occur.
Lastly, you get an impressive 25-year warranty on fades and stains.
On the heat side, yes, Trex can get uncomfortably hot during a typical sunny day, but that is not the deal-breaker for sure.
Lighter colors tend to reflect the heat. So, they are best suited for temperature controls.
However, if more heat retention is what you want, go for darker shades.
With 95% + of Trex ingredients being highly eco-friendly, it’s a deal worth taking.
Be aware of the scratches from the Pet’s claws and have a long-lasting decking system ready for you.
Thanks For Reading!