topic TREX decking in Community Chat

TREX decking

Mom2Dogs — Sun, 02 Jun 2024 19:54:20 GMT

TREX decking....Has anyone used this prodcut? We have a side walk that we are 'thinking' about covering up with the TREX product....in our backyard.

If you have it, pros and cons? We would need to go overtop the existing sidewalk, well that is the plan if we go forward. We prefer to not have the expense of tearing up the existing walkway.

thanks

Re: TREX decking

SilleeMee — Sun, 02 Jun 2024 20:25:41 GMT

I have a TREX deck and I love it. Once in a while I take a deck brush and scrub it clean. I think it's amazing stuff. The color I chose is 'Rope Swing' b/c it's their lightest shade and I wanted a color that would not get hot in the sun. I have a dog and she walks on the deck.

Besides being no-maintenance, I love how easy it is to remove snow from TREX. It glides right off, no sticking.

Re: TREX decking

Mom2Dogs — Sun, 02 Jun 2024 20:27:47 GMT

@SilleeMee Thanks, I wish I would have thought about this product when we had the sidewalk installed years ago. Keeping the sidewalk clean is an issue, I know it's outside but I know the TREX would look cleaner.

We have our projects scheduled for this year but I am going to get quotes to see what it will cost....maybe I can swing it for next year.

Re: TREX decking

SilleeMee — Sun, 02 Jun 2024 20:29:20 GMT

@Mom2Dogs

What a wonderful idea to have a TREX sidewalk! It would be so easy to clean. Do you get snow there?

Re: TREX decking

rockygems123 — Sun, 02 Jun 2024 20:30:53 GMT

@Mom2Dogs wrote:
TREX decking....Has anyone used this prodcut? We have a side walk that we are 'thinking' about covering up with the TREX product....in our backyard.

If you have it, pros and cons? We would need to go overtop the existing sidewalk, well that is the plan if we go forward. We prefer to not have the expense of tearing up the existing walkway.
thanks

@Mom2Dogs

Have used Trex in two separate new construction houses needing landscaping and can't think of a single downside. Cleans up well, no splintering and doesn't fade, looks good.

We have extreme weather in Colorado and wood takes a beating.

I've heard that it is harder to install than wood and it is more expensive - or at least was, not sure with the skyrocketing prices of wood if that's still the case.

Re: TREX decking

1tuffcookie — Sun, 02 Jun 2024 20:32:21 GMT

I think the biggest con is the cost. Prices for the materials and installation have significantly increased compared to what they were 4-5 years ago.

Re: TREX decking

SilleeMee — Sun, 02 Jun 2024 20:36:13 GMT

Each of the composite decking manufacturers have their own fasteners. Fasteners are the hardware pieces used to connect each plank down onto the frame beneath and also to each other. There are no screws or nails on the top-side except for the very outer perimeter planks where those need to be secured down onto the wood frame below. It's a very clean and seamless look.

Re: TREX decking

Mom2Dogs — Sun, 02 Jun 2024 20:42:01 GMT

@SilleeMee Hmmm, the fasteners needing to be attached to wood, might be an issue, the added wood might raise the height to much.

Re: TREX decking

mspemberley — Sun, 02 Jun 2024 20:42:30 GMT

I have trex deck that's 10 years old and looks brand new. I love it! It's worth the extra cost, highly recommend.

Re: TREX decking

SilleeMee — Sun, 02 Jun 2024 20:48:02 GMT

@Mom2Dogs wrote:
@SilleeMee Hmmm, the fasteners needing to be attached to wood, might be an issue, the added wood might raise the height to much.

@Mom2Dogs

It might but still have someone check that part out for you. The options available might be worth looking into. Decks are not the same as walkways so the frames would also be different.

Re: TREX decking

Mom2Dogs — Sun, 02 Jun 2024 20:49:44 GMT

@SilleeMee Years ago the walkway was wood, so we went to a concrete sidewalk...in hindsight we should have done something different.

Bees and wasps were an issue with the wood decking...and the upkeep.

Re: TREX decking

SilleeMee — Sun, 02 Jun 2024 20:53:07 GMT

@Mom2Dogs

I understand about the wasps! I had a real big nest under my deck last year. Now I'm keeping an eye out under there to make sure they don't start a new nest. I'll knock it down before it gets as big a the basketball-size nest I killed last year! UGH!

Re: TREX decking

haddon9 — Sun, 02 Jun 2024 21:09:46 GMT

My brother has a Trex deck and it is beautiful! He didn't install it since it came with the house that he purchased last year.

We have a brick paver patio in the backyard and the back door had brick styled steps going out to the back. At times they could be precarious when carrying items outside so we decided to replace them before someone got injured.

We decided to put a small Trex deck which measures 4' x 5' (it's large enough for a large outdoor storage box at one end) with wide steps going down onto the patio.

I think it's a great product! It can be very expensive but it will hold up very well and still look like new for years...plus you don't have to worry about splinters if you have wood instead.

Re: TREX decking

Lucky Charm — Sun, 02 Jun 2024 21:43:07 GMT

The only problem I see is that it would be a raised walkway. You can't really lay it down flat on the ground without fastening it somehow to stay in place.

We have Trex for our front stairs and landing and a 16 x 20 deck out back. It holds up to all weather and salt air beautifully.

Have you thought of using huge slates (18" to 36") and making a walkway? Lots of people have that leading from their front yards to the back yards along the sides of the house so they aren't going over their impervious ground allowance. I have a couple for a seating area (9'x9') and I think their beatiful.

Re: TREX decking

YanksFan — Sun, 02 Jun 2024 22:40:16 GMT

I have a TREX deck that is approximately 15 years old and it still looks new. It is durable and easy to clean. I don't regret the extra cost at all. It is great.

Re: TREX decking

SilleeMee — Sun, 02 Jun 2024 23:32:05 GMT

I was tired of spending money paying someone to keep restaining my old deck. I used to do that every other year and the cost kept going up. Finally after a bad hailstorm wrecked that old deck, I decided it was time for TREX and I never looked back. Got the entire old deck torn down and a brand new one built from the ground up.

Re: TREX decking

snipsnapsnur — Mon, 03 Jun 2024 00:01:13 GMT

How long is the walkway? My husband is a deck builder and he said price-wise, depending on how long the sidewalk is, you'd spend less putting in a new concrete sidewalk. Putting down TREX, involves using 2 x 4's along the sides, putting rebar into the 2 x 4's to secure to the ground, then a moisture barrier, then the TREX secured into the 2 x 4's. And you'd have to dig out the walkway in order to do this if you want it level with the existing ground.

***I think I remembered all the steps he said.

Re: TREX decking

FlyersGirl — Mon, 03 Jun 2024 00:52:37 GMT

@Mom2Dogs

Last year we had the front porch replaced with TREX. I love it as it looks beautiful, is easy to keep clean and will last a long time.

That said, please know that TREX can be very slippery when wet. While my front porch is coverd, depending on the direction of wind/rain it gets wet. I purchased a rug for under the 2 rockers and table that are on the porch and a non slip runner that I secure with welcome mats at either end that I placed at the entryway. I was concerned about USPS/FedX etc mail and deliveries that are placed by my front door. I don't want the delivery person slipping if it is wet. I also don't want to slip going in and out the front door.

Re: TREX decking

SilleeMee — Mon, 03 Jun 2024 01:21:49 GMT

@FlyersGirl

I've never experienced my TREX deck getting slippery when wet. Mine has texture like deep woodgrain and that makes it not slippery.

Re: TREX decking

Mom2Dogs — Mon, 03 Jun 2024 01:12:42 GMT

@snipsnapsnur Well darn, sounds like TREX will be out of bounds for us. I really did not want to tear out the existing sidewalk and the product sounds really expensive...

Can you ask your hubby if it is possible to do a stamped concrete over top our existing concrete sidewalk....I have even thought about a finish over top....something 'similar' to what is put down over the concrete floor in a garage.