When it comes to the composite decking market, we know we go head-to-head with Trex. And we know that, before you choose the right composite decking product for you, it’s important to compare TimberTech vs Trex across the categories that matter to you the most:
So, we’ve done just that. May the best brand win.
TimberTech vs Trex: A Very Brief Background
Trex
The first-to-market brand in the composite decking space, Trex formed in 1996 and went public in 1999 with then-revolutionary composite decking products. And while the brand may have initially cornered the composite decking market, first-mover advantage seems to have led innovation to stall out: Trex’s last “game changer,” Trex Transcend decking, is over a decade old.
TimberTech
TimberTech entered the market in 1997 and introduced capped composite deck boards in 2008. We continued to innovate so that you have your choice of not only premium capped composite decking, but premium capped polymer options via TimberTech AZEK® decking as well. Even better news? We’re just getting started.
We believe in the truism Better Tech, Better Deck™ — especially when you’re investing in an enduringly beautiful outdoor living space that can increase the overall value of your home.
Just because a brand was first to market doesn’t mean its offering is the best — after all, Apple was once a challenger brand to Microsoft.
What is composite decking? In the alternative decking marketplace, “composite decking” is the umbrella term for engineered decking — meaning alternatives to wood. That said, there are a few important product line distinctions within that larger category:
Capped Composite Deck Boards
Made from a blend of wood fibers (organic material) and plastics/polymers (synthetic material).
Capped Polymer Deck Boards
Made from 100% plastics / polymers (synthetic material).
Why This Matters
Capped polymer deck boards offer unique advantages. The capped polymer decking of our TimberTech AZEK line:
✓ Offers unrivaled design and performance.
✓ Offers superior moisture resistance — that means mold, mildew, and other erosion agents that eat away at your deck don’t stand a chance.
✓ Is backed by a 50-Year Limited Fade & Stain Warranty.
✓ Stays cooler to the touch.
✓ Boasts advanced design options including Multi-Width.
If you want to compare to Trex — well, you can’t. Trex doesn’t offer any capped polymer decking products.
That means, if you’re looking for the highest-performing and longest-lasting deck made from the most forward-thinking technology, you can’t find it with Trex.
Here’s a closer look:
TimberTech Capped Polymer & Capped Composite Decking
Unrivaled Design & Performance
- The most advanced synthetic materials technology without the use of wood particles.
- Unbeatable moisture resistance.
- 50-Year Limited Fade & Stain Warranty.
- Advanced design options including Multi-Width.
- Stays cooler to the touch.**
Premium Style & Performance
- Premium composite decking with the added protection of a fully synthetic cap on all 4 sides.
- Premium resistance to moisture with Mold Guard® Technology.
- 30-Year Limited Fade & Stain Warranty.
- Premium aesthetics that mimic natural wood.
Attainable & Attractive
- Traditional composite decking with a synthetic 3-sided cap.
- Surface protection from moisture.
- 25-Year Limited Fade & Stain Warranty.
- Attractive, low-maintenance upgrade from wood.
**Although TimberTech AZEK decking products are cooler to the touch than many other deck board products, all decking products will get hot in the sun. Additionally, the darker the decking color, the hotter it will feel. For hotter climates, consider choosing a lighter color.
Trex Capped Composite Decking
3-sided Capped Composite Decking
- Traditional composite decking with a synthetic 3-sided cap.
- Surface protection from moisture.
- 25-Year Limited Fade & Stain Warranty.
- Attractive, low-maintenance upgrade from wood.
Why 4-Sided Capping Matters
First things first: Trex doesn’t cap all 4 sides of the deck board on any of their decking lines. Why? Purportedly, because there is a belief that moisture will inevitably invade the boards and therefore needs the chance to evaporate out.
The thing is, that’s kind of like saying you have a security system wired to protect 75% of your home because “a burglar will get in eventually.” The real way to minimize the chance of an unwanted visitor is to protect the entirety of your investment.
We offer premium composite decking with capping all the way around the board: TimberTech PRO® decking
TimberTech PRO Decking
Pictured: TimberTech PRO test sample before and after placement on top of a wet sponge for 34 months. The 1.5”-high sponges were placed in a water tank where the water level was maintained at a height of 1″ for the duration of the test.
Mold and mildew are the ultimate erosion agents when it comes to decking. By applying protection at all exposure points on the board, or by offering a synthetic product like TimberTech AZEK, we can proudly say it’s not just the “same mold, same mold” with TimberTech decking.
THE TAKEAWAY
4-sided capping means you protect 100% of your investment, which you can’t do with Trex. When you compare TimberTech vs Trex, there’s no comparison.
One of the main reasons homeowners sometimes pause when considering a shift from wood to composite decking — no matter the brand — is the fear that composite deck boards look “fake” or “plastic-like.” Let’s see how true that concern is in terms of TimberTech vs Trex.
Trex: Less Realistic Colors, Deeper Grains
Less Realistic Color Choices
Trex boards don’t showcase the advanced technology that allows for realistic, varied color-blending. When you closely examine some Trex boards, you can also see exposed wood flakes that emphasize its synthetic quality.
Unnatural-Looking Grain
Trex boards are marked by deep-cut cathedral grain patterns that emphasize the synthetic quality of the material. Highly sought-after hardwoods are defined by complex, varied grain patterns, so Trex boards fail to capture the nuanced beauty of real wood.
THE TAKEAWAY
Trex boards look like plastic — shiny, deeply grooved, and without the nuanced color-blending and artisanal touches that define a TimberTech deck board.
TimberTech: All the Nuanced Beauty of Wood, None of the Hassle
TimberTech boards are designed and engineered to capture the color-blending and richness of natural wood. This is truly where “timber” meets “tech”: Using advanced materials technology and proprietary polymer blends, TimberTech deck boards offer you:
Pecan, from the TimberTech PRO Legacy Collection
On-Trend Board Designs
Our decking portfolio features the design-forward aesthetic options you need — like hand-scraped finishes — so you can find the exact right fit for your ideal outdoor living space.
Mahogany, from the TimberTech AZEK Vintage Collection®
Incredible Color-Blending
We offer both moderate and cascading color-blended options. Our color blending looks just like nature, with subtle shifts in tone and dimension.
Weathered Teak®, from the TimberTech AZEK Vintage Collection®
Realistic Grain Patterns
TimberTech boards can feature cathedral, straight, or infinitely variable grain patterns, depending on the decking line and collection. All are lifted from real wood aesthetics found in nature.
TimberTech: Inspired by Nature, Innovated for You
Just see for yourself. Can you tell the difference between TimberTech and real wood boards below?
TimberTech AZEK English Walnut vs IPE Wood
TimberTech AZEK Mahogany vs Mahogany Wood
GET UP CLOSE & PERSONAL WITH OUR BOARDS
See how we take inspiration from Mother Nature for deck boards defined by nuanced beauty. HOW WE ACHIEVE A REAL WOOD LOOK
No Trex Equivalent: The TimberTech AZEK Vintage Collection
Our “Designer Collection”
- Is designed to capture the appearance of highly sought-after hardwoods.
- Offers complex color blending and wire-brushed, low-gloss finish.
- Lets you Do Decking Differently® with Multi-Width applications.
- Looks just as beautiful and realistic up close as when viewed from afar.
- Can be used for exterior cladding.
This is big. After all, you want your investments to work as hard for you as you worked for them.
Trex claims unmatched warranty coverage in the industry — but we think you should see the true comparison.
TimberTech vs Trex: Warranties
TimberTech Offers
Trex Offers
So, Trex claims unmatched warranties…and we’d agree. We don’t just match Trex warranties. We double the coverage — and then some.*
*TimberTech AZEK decking includes a Lifetime Limited Product Warranty
If you find yourself thinking: “That sounds good, but just what are those warranties backing up?” The answer is: unparalleled performance. Neither Trex nor Mother Nature has an edge on us.
TimberTech vs Trex: Exposure Tests*
* Highly reputable accredited third-party lab conducted testing per ASTM D2244 and ASTMG154 standard on material purchased from consumer channels. Study tested for the following: Color measurement process reports dE based on the CIELab color space using D65 illuminant at a 10-degree angle. Samples tested in weatherometer chamber for a total of 2,150 hours; subjected to cycles of 8 hours of UV radiation followed by 4 hours of darkness to ASTM specs.
THE TAKEAWAY
TimberTech deck boards can stand up to UV ray exposure, so your deck stays looking as beautiful on day 1,000 as on day 1.
We know that, in terms of upfront costs, you will likely make a greater investment with a TimberTech deck (however, if you’re looking for an attractive and attainable entry-level product, we also offer TimberTech EDGE decking). But when you think about the cost to build a deck, it’s important to consider not just upfront, but long-term costs.
How Trex Saves You Money Upfront… But Can Cost You Long-Term
With Trex, all deck boards feature only 3-sided capping. That translates to lower materials cost compared to 4-sided or fully synthetic boards, and therefore a lower cost-per-board.
But there’s a catch: 3-sided capping doesn’t minimize the risk of mold or mildew growth, so you could face a shorter deck lifespan with a Trex deck than you would with a fully synthetic TimberTech AZEK deck.
TimberTech Decking Means Long-Term Cost Savings
With our composite decking, over 30 years, your deck can pay for itself. How? By continuing to perform at the same level as when it was first installed. That means the long-term costs associated with maintaining a traditional wood deck won’t apply, so you’ll keep money in your wallet that would have otherwise gone to repair and replacement.
But what about when comparing TimberTech vs Trex?
When it comes to composite decking, one of the best ways to assess value for the cost isn’t by zeroing in on upfront material prices. Rather, value for the cost means locking in long-term performance. And the best way to compare performance is to compare warranty coverage.
TimberTech vs Trex: Value for the Cost
As you can see, Trex products stay only at the industry average of 25-year coverage. TimberTech on the other hand? A much different story.
THE TAKEAWAY
With warranties like a Lifetime Limited Product Warranty and 50-Year Fade & Stain Warranty, a TimberTech deck translates to serious time-, cost-, and back-saving benefits over the years.
Remember: There are a number of factors that go into calculating the overall costs associated with your deck, and material cost is just one. Make sure you’re familiar with all the factors as you research the right decking for you.
If there’s one principle that guides everything we do, it’s: Better Tech, Better Deck.™ Better technology translates to all of the advantages and benefits you need:
✓ A nature-inspired, realistic wood look.
✓ Industry-leading warranties.
✓ Superior performance, both in terms of moisture resistance and weathering.
✓ Long-term cost- and labor-savings that make your deck worth the investment.
HEAR FROM A
HOMEOWNER
“I quit researching other competition, when all of the local contractors in Denver, Colorado, told me that they would not use anything else.” — Ernie Sanelli, CO
And in all of these areas, Trex just can’t compete. When it comes to TimberTech vs Trex, there’s no comparison.
Bring the Beauty of TimberTech to Your Backyard
Work with one of our registered contractors for a build that transforms your outdoor living space.
