Although the New York City area only allows for limited outdoor living on the climate front, those who are fortunate enough to actually have backyards tend to want to make the most of them. One of the best ways for a homeowner in any region of the country to maximize his outdoor space and add value to his property is to have a deck installed. These days, numerous decking materials are available to homeowners looking to invest in outside improvements. One such option is a composite material known as Trex. Mario Rappa is the proud owner of A-Z Nassau Construction Corp., a family-owned general contracting company that has been serving Long Island and the five boroughs of New York City since 1999, and according to him, Trex and other such composite products are becoming increasingly popular among homeowners when it comes to deck installation.
Trex is a specially-designed material that can be used for decking, railing, fencing, and trim. What makes Trex unique is the fact that it is comprised of an exclusive blend of wood and plastic fibers (thereby falling under the “composite materials” category). While there are numerous options for composite decking materials these days, Trex is perhaps one of the more high-profile choices, for better or for worse.
One good thing about Trex – and most composite materials, for that matter – is that it offers the attractive look and feel of wood without the hefty maintenance. Unlike wood, which is likely to rot or warp over time, Trex will not deteriorate due to harsh weather conditions. While moisture can easily cause wood products to degrade, it will not have nearly the same impact on composite products such as Trex. Trex is also highly resistant to sunlight, whereas wood has a tendency to expand, contract, and eventually split as a result of prolonged exposure to the sun. Additionally, unlike solid wood, Trex will not attract damaging insects such as termites, thereby making it a safer investment from a structural standpoint.
From a comfort perspective, Trex is said to make the act of walking around barefoot on a deck as simple as can be. Since Trex is splinter-free, parents who choose to install this type of decking can rest assured that their little ones won’t get injured at a weekend barbecue. Trex is also said to have better traction than wood, even when wet. From an aesthetic perspective, Trex actually offers as many – if not more – options than wood, as it is available in a variety of colors and finishes.
From an earth-related perspective, Trex is often touted as being exceptionally kind to the environment. Trex gets its plastic and wood fiber components from recycled resources, and its manufacturing process works to keep thousands of tons of plastic and wood scraps out of landfills each year. Furthermore, Trex doesn’t contain any toxic chemicals or preservatives, making it safe for both the planet and those who choose to have it installed.
So what’s the downside of Trex? For starters, Trex happens to be significantly more expensive than wood, so much so that many homeowners end up finding that when it comes to deck installation, they are simply priced out of this particular option. Then again, Trex doesn’t claim to be cheap, and the fact that it is durable and low-maintenance should be taken into account when considering the initial cost.
On the other hand, in Rappa’s experience, Trex has been known to have some drawbacks. One common gripe among Trex deck owners is that over time, the material does indeed tend to fade as far as color goes – a fact that certainly detracts from the appeal of Trex on the aesthetic end. Another issue with Trex is that it has been known to run into trouble in the mold and mildew buildup department, so much so that it actually had to change its formula back in the day to mitigate this problem.
If the idea having of a deck in your backyard sounds appealing to you, then ask a trusted contractor if Trex is right for you. Remember, if you’re looking to go with a composite material for its durability and minimal upkeep, then Trex certainly isn’t your only option. Plenty of products on the home improvement market are designed to offer similar benefits to Trex, though from a cost perspective, Trex might be more competitively-priced. Ultimately, no matter what type of product you end up choosing for your deck, you’re going to be making a significant investment in the outdoor area of your home. So if you’re torn between Trex and the competition, then your best bet is probably to listen to what your contractor has to say and take his advice accordingly.
