Trex brand decking is by far the best seller in composite products for decks. Their warranty is outstanding, and their products are superior.
Choosing the right decking material
Most composite decking is made from a combination of sawdust, plastic, wood chips and resin. Premium composite decking also has a PVC outer shell that protects the composite inside. This shell adds fade protection and is mildew resistant as well. Most PVC shell capped decking only requires a simple deck rinse twice per year.
There are many different manufacturers providing composite products, but Trex is considered the flagship of this industry and has the best products available. Building with TREX takes a very specific skill set to install properly, which is exactly the kind of work our crews do week in and week out on Lake Wylie and Lake Norman.
A word on pressure treated wood
Pressure treated decking is the most budget friendly flooring option available and looks really nice if installed correctly. It is very important this material is installed correctly. Oftentimes, carpenters install screws too close to the end joints and this results in the boards splitting. Once they split, it will only get worse with time.
Pressure treated wood also requires a lot of maintenance. If it is exposed to a good bit of sun, it will need to be stained every one to two years. This can get very expensive over time, so it is important to think about the initial savings versus the long-term costs of maintaining it.
It is also important to use proper fasteners. Stainless steel is the best choice, as most other types of fasteners will leave black streaks under them over time. These stains are next to impossible to remove and can leave your space looking old and run down in just a few short years.
