How do I tell if I have Trex decking?

At first glance, composite deck boards might seem the same, but upon closer inspection you’ll find that every manufacturer has its own signature formula for materials, colors, textures and care standards. Knowing which brand you have is essential to save you time, money, and aggravation if you ever set out to expand your deck’s footprint or to replace damaged boards. That knowledge will protect your investment and maintain the safety of your outdoor space. 

Many homeowners choose their decking material when planning a new deck build. But if you bought a home with a deck already in place, or left those decisions to your contractor, figuring out exactly what brand you have can be challenging, especially if you don’t have paperwork. 

4 Ways to Tell You Have Trex Decking

Because Trex was the first composite decking brand, founded more than 30 years ago, many homeowners with a composite deck just assume it’s Trex. But that may not be the case.  Here are a few tips to help you determine if you have Trex decking.

The Only 100% Accurate Way: Underside markings

It is often thought that you can check the underside of a deck board for identifying lot numbers. Trex does stamp its boards with a series of numbers that indicate the date and time the board was manufactured, as well as the lot code and color name of the board. But once that board is cut and installed, it's not a given that you will be able to go back years later and check the code. Storing away a board or two could help.

Deck boards also come with “end tags” - small labels that indicate the name of the board collection, color, dimensions and a bar code. Hanging onto that label is a sure way to match boards in the future.

Color and profile comparison

Every manufacturer offers multiple decking collections and colors and grain patterns within those collections. If you don’t know the color and collection name of your boards, there are a few ways to figure it out.

Trex’s Color Selector makes searching for colors easy. Filter by collection, color, and even attributes such as fire rating and heat resistance. Photos can assist you in matching color and grain pattern. 

Stocking retailers and home improvement stores that carry Trex also keep print brochures on hand which could prove useful.

Comparing board profiles may help. Trex Enhance decking, for instance, is made with a scalloped - or hollowed out - underside which can be easily seen on board ends as well. Trex’s other decking collections - Signature, Transcend, Lineage and Select - all feature solid profiles.

Finally, do you have a three-sided or four-sided capped board? All new-generation Trex boards feature a durable shell on top and on the two sides. Some other brands cover the bottoms of their boards with a hard shell. Early-generation Trex boards do not have a shell.

Documentation and builder information

If you purchase your own decking at a Trex retailer, file away the order form and receipts which will include detailed information about your purchase. Most paperwork shows the name of the decking collection and color. Some retailers keep records of your purchases if you maintain an account with them. 

If you rely on a builder to buy your material, always insist information about the materials used be included in your contract and on invoices. If for some reason you fail to hold onto that paperwork, consider contacting your builder who may have kept records. 

Crowdsource or ask Trex directly

If you bought a house with a Trex deck and the previous owners failed to pass along the information, you may find social websites helpful. For instance, Reddit, a social news aggregation and discussion website, features user-created communities focused on specific topics, including sections for builders and deck contractors. Upload photos of your deck, showing its true color, grain patterns and profile, and you may just find your answer.

Trex customer service representatives can also assist. Contact Trex at 1-800-289-8739 or leave your inquiry at https://www.trex.com/contact-us/. Expect to share pictures of your deck.

If you build your own deck, make sure to register your warranty. Even if you never need to make a claim, information about your deck’s build will be on file with the manufacturer.

How to Tell if You Have Composite Decking

Distinguishing composite decking from natural wood is simple, but when it comes to telling one type of composite from another, the differences are subtle and easy to miss. Here's a quick breakdown of the most common types of composite decking on the market today:

• Wood-composite: Traditional mix of wood flour/wood fibers, polyethylene, binders and pigments with a polymer shell
• Early-generation wood-composite: A core of wood flour/wood fibers, polyethylene, with binders and pigments, but no polymer shell
• Cellular PVC: 100% plastic; often a foamed structure 
• Mineral-based composite: Blend of polymer resin (polypropylene or PVC) with minerals such as silica, fly ash or calcium carbonate
• Reinforced or Fiber-Reinforced: Experimental or commercial boards using fiberglass, basalt, or carbon fibers
• Recycled Eco-hybrid: Made from upcycled plastics and organic waste such as bamboo, rice hulls or coffee husks
• HDPE or Pure Plastic Decking: Made from high-density polyethylene, colorants and UV stabilizers

Here are a few other ways to determine the type and brand name of your decking:

• Each composite decking manufacturer makes boards with their own unique colors, grain patterns and performance standards. Manufacturers produce most boards in various shades of greys, browns and reds. Some offer boards in trendy hues of white and cream, with the occasional black. Boards come in monochromatic or streaked for a variegated look.
• Surface texture can sometimes indicate the type of decking you own. Premium capped, wood-composite decking features an embossed wood grain. PVC boards will feel smoother and less wood-like.
• Board dimensions sometimes provide a clue. The standard nominal board dimension for pressure-treated lumber as well as traditional composites is 1”x6." Some composite manufacturers make boards in narrow (3.5”) and wide (7.25”) widths.
• PVC boards are lighter and feel more hollow than shelled composite boards which are heavier and more dense. 
• While warranties are another differentiator between brands and collections, you won’t be able to look at a board and know it’s warranty level. Warranties vary by product line, even within the same brand line-up. Entry-level decking generally comes with 15- or 25-year warranties, while more premium lines come with 35- and 50-year warranties.
• A simple water test may reveal a board’s material composition. Wood-composite boards with an outer shell, like Trex, will resist water which will pool on the board, while uncapped boards will absorb water, although slowly. PVC and mineral-based boards do not absorb water.
• Unlike wood boards, capped composite decking will not splinter and is resistant to rotting and insect damage. Wood-composite boards won’t fade and resist scratching. PVC boards can fade.

The surest route to understanding what you own is to keep all of your paperwork. But even without it, with careful inspection and a little research you should be able to determine the type and brand you own. By examining board grain patterns, matching colors to sample boards, and asking experts, you can uncover your decking’s true nature. Once you do, you’ll be better equipped to maintain, repair or expand your deck and make the most of your investment.