Trex Composite Decking vs. Wood

Because your deck should be where life happens, not where work begins. 

Why Wood You?

Over 30 years ago, we asked a simple question: why does a deck have to be so much work? Timber worked for a while, but it faded, splintered, and needed constant upkeep. We believed there had to be a better way, so we invented it.

We took reclaimed materials and turned them into something extraordinary: decking that looks amazing, lasts for decades, and frees you from the never-ending cycle of sanding and staining. It’s a deck designed to fit your life. Welcome to more time spent hosting, relaxing, and making memories, and less time dealing with repairs. It’s more than a deck—it’s a new way to live outside.

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Trex® Composite Decking Offers Unmatched Benefits Over Traditional Wood

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No sanding, sealing, or painting—ever

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Resistant to rot, fading, staining, mould, and splintering

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Made with up to 95% recycled materials

Ditch the Downsides of Timber

Timber comes with its challenges —from environmental impact to constant upkeep and eventual decay. It's time for something new.

See What Contractors Really Think About Trex Decking

Hear firsthand how Trex makes every build better - straight frm the experts who use it every day.

Feel the Difference Yourself with a Trex Sample Kit

 

Get hands-on with Trex. See the colours, feel the texture, and experience the quality that sets us apart — all delivered to your door.

 

 

Cost of Trex vs. Wood Over Time

Is Trex® Worth the Investment? Let’s Break It Down

The cost of building a deck depends on materials, design, and installation—but long-term savings matter, too. Timber decks can cost up to $400 annually for maintenance like stains and sealants, plus the time and effort to keep them looking good. With Trex, maintenance costs are as low as $10 a year, and its durability shines with warranties up to 50 years—far outlasting timber’s 15-year average lifespan. Even better, Trex offers decking lines designed to rival the upfront costs of the most popular types of timber, making it a smart investment from day one.

Curious how Trex stacks up against timber over time?

 

MaterialCost Per Sq. Ft.
Pressure-Treated Pine$2.50 - $4.50
Redwood$5 - $15
Ipe$15 - $22
Mahogany$15 - $25
Cedar$8.50 - $20
Trex Composite Decking$4.60 - $13.60

Material Cost of Deck Boards

The cost of building a new deck depends on its size, design, material choice, and installation expenses. Labor typically accounts for about two-thirds of the total project cost, but both labor and installation fees can vary by region. Additional features like railings, lighting, and benches will also increase material costs. Let's take a look at the average cost of the most common decking materials.

So when you choose Trex, you’re not just saving money long-term—you’re saving your weekends, your energy, and your peace of mind. The only question left is how you’ll enjoy all that extra free time.

 

 

*Average price range excludes Trex Signature® decking, our luxury decking collection. Trex actual material costs and install costs can and will vary based on geographic area, site location, seasonality, design complexity, whether the product is stocked locally, and additional features such as stairs, angles, curves, lighting, etc. For most professionally installed projects, materials constitute up to one third of the total cost.

Material Cost of Deck Boards

The cost of building a new deck depends on its size, design, material choice, and installation expenses. Labor typically accounts for about two-thirds of the total project cost, but both labor and installation fees can vary by region. Additional features like railings, lighting, and benches will also increase material costs. Let's take a look at the average cost of the most common decking materials.

So when you choose Trex, you’re not just saving money long-term—you’re saving your weekends, your energy, and your peace of mind. The only question left is how you’ll enjoy all that extra free time.

 

MaterialCost Per Sq. Ft.
Pressure-Treated Pine$2.50 - $4.50
Redwood$5 - $15
Ipe$15 - $22
Mahogany$15 - $25
Cedar$8.50 - $20
Trex Composite Decking$4.60 - $13.60

 

 

*Average price range excludes Trex Signature® decking, our luxury decking collection. Trex actual material costs and install costs can and will vary based on geographic area, site location, seasonality, design complexity, whether the product is stocked locally, and additional features such as stairs, angles, curves, lighting, etc. For most professionally installed projects, materials constitute up to one third of the total cost.

Wood Makes Us Look Good

Explore these transformations from homeowners who decided to make the upgrade to Trex.

Frequently Asked Questions

Dive into the answers to our most common questions about how Trex compares to wood.

The hassles that come with timber

Redtimber, Pressure-Treated Lumber and Cedar

Needs seasonal painting, staining or sealing

Becomes a safety hazard when it rots, splits and splinters

Fades and stains easily, showing every spill and scuff

Contributes to deforestation, cutting down trees that local wildlife depend on for food and shelter

Does timber or Composite Last Longer?

Most timber decks are built from pressure-treated pine, cedar, redtimber or from a few exotic species such as ipe. Depending on the timber chosen, a well cared for timber deck can last about 20 years. But many timber decks don’t make it that long because they require extensive upkeep to maintain and protect and those maintenance hassles become more than some homeowners can bear. If left untreated and uncared for, timber loses its lustre, absorbs water, warps, rots and splinters. Therefore, to extend the life of the deck, homeowners must regularly apply stains, sealers or paint to protect it against the elements, requiring significant time and money.

 

In contrast, Trex composite decking is ready when you are. You never need to worry about sanding, staining or painting. Just an occasional soap-and-water cleaning is all that’s needed to maintain superior stability and beauty for decades. Trex’s high-performance, weather-resistant shell resists fading, staining and damage from sun, rain and insects. And not just for the first year, but for 25 or more.

Order a Sample

Order a sample and see for yourself how our durable, beautiful, low-maintenance boards leave timber decking in the dust.

 

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