Why homeowners here ask for Trex
Most of the calls we get about Trex start the same way. Someone has a pressure treated deck that needs another round of cleaning and sealer, and they would rather spend summer weekends on the deck than working on it. Trex boards are a composite made mostly from reclaimed wood fiber and recycled plastic. They do not need stain or sealer, and they will not split or splinter the way an aging wood board can.
Humid summers are hard on wood. Boards soak up moisture, dry out, and soak it up again, and that cycle is what leads to cracking, cupping, and loose fasteners. Composite boards handle that cycle better. They still need a wash now and then, but the upkeep is a hose and a soft brush instead of a sander and a can of stain.
What a Trex deck still needs underneath
Trex covers the part of the deck you walk on. On almost every deck we build, the frame underneath is still pressure treated lumber rated for ground contact where it needs to be, sitting on concrete footings. That frame decides how long the deck lasts, so we treat it with the same care whether the boards on top are wood or Trex. Our deck building page covers footings, ledgers, and flashing in more detail.
Composite boards have their own framing rules. Trex publishes installation instructions for joist spacing, gaps between boards, and fasteners, and we follow them. That is one reason laying new Trex boards over an old wood frame is not always a good idea. The old joists may be spaced too far apart, or they may have soft spots that a new surface would only hide.
Picking a Trex line and color
Trex sells several lines at different price points, with different textures and color choices. The better lines generally have deeper wood grain looks and more colors to pick from. The product lineup changes from time to time, so we bring current samples to the estimate and walk you through what each one looks and feels like on your house.
Color matters more than most people expect. Composite boards can get warm in afternoon sun, and darker colors get warmer than light ones. A deck that faces west with no shade is a good place for a lighter color, a pergola, or a spot for a big umbrella. Color also needs to suit the house and, in many neighborhoods, the HOA. Our guide to wood vs composite decking compares the two materials side by side.
Stairs, railings, and the finishing details
A Trex deck looks best when the stairs, fascia, and railings are planned with it. Fascia boards wrap the rim of the deck so you do not see the frame from the yard. Stair treads can match the deck boards. For railings, we can build wood rails, pair Trex boards with black metal balusters, or use a composite railing system, depending on the look and budget you want.
We also think about how the boards run. Picture frame borders, a board laid across the top of the stairs, and hidden fasteners that keep screw heads off the surface all change how finished the deck looks. None of these are required, and we will tell you which ones are worth it on your deck and which ones you can skip.
Switching an old wood deck to Trex
If your deck has a sound frame, replacing only the boards and railings with Trex can make sense. Before we quote that, we check the ledger connection to the house, the flashing, the joists, and the footings. We look for rot, sinking posts, and joist spacing that will not meet the Trex instructions. If the frame passes, you keep it and get a new surface.
If it does not pass, we will tell you plainly and price a full rebuild instead. Putting new composite boards on a frame that is already failing only hides the problem for a few years. Our guide on signs your deck is done walks through what we look for.
Trex decks across Middle Tennessee
We install Trex decks in every city we serve, from Murfreesboro and Smyrna to Franklin, Nashville, Lebanon, and Cookeville. Lake lots near Percy Priest, Old Hickory, and Center Hill often suit Trex well, since those decks sit in the sun and the weather and owners want to enjoy them, not maintain them. Newer subdivisions with HOA review often ask for a color and railing plan up front, and we can help you put that together. See the full list on our service areas page.
Trex deck questions we hear a lot
Do you install Trex decking?
Yes. We install Trex composite decking on new decks and on existing decks where the frame is still sound. We build the frame, set the boards, and add stairs, fascia, and railings as one job, following the installation instructions Trex publishes for each product. Estimates are free, and we bring current samples so you can see the colors in person.
Is Trex worth the extra cost over wood?
It depends on how long you plan to stay and how much upkeep you want. Trex boards usually cost more at the start than pressure treated pine. In return you skip the staining and sealing that wood needs in our humid summers, and the boards will not splinter. If you expect to stay for years and would rather wash a deck than stain it, Trex often makes sense.
Can you put Trex boards on my existing deck frame?
Sometimes. The frame has to be in good shape and built to the joist spacing Trex calls for. We check the ledger, flashing, joists, posts, and footings first. If the frame is sound, a board and railing swap can save money. If it has rot, sinking footings, or joists spaced too wide, we will recommend a rebuild instead of covering the problem.
Does a Trex deck get hot in the summer?
Composite boards can get warm in direct afternoon sun, and darker colors get warmer than lighter ones. Wood gets warm too, but many people notice it more on composite. If your deck faces south or west without shade, choosing a lighter color or planning for shade from a pergola, a tree, or an umbrella makes a real difference on bare feet.
Trex is a registered trademark of Trex Company, Inc.