When will people learn, don't use Trex decking, it's junk as John says.

Of course Trex blamed the contractor, they always do. Now besides the cracked, deteriorating decking you can look forward to black mold forming all over the shaded areas.

As per their warranty they will replace bad boards, but paying for labor is not included, the same as most any product.

Al

Well, Mr Deckman22, I made the mistake of taking my contractor's recommendation to install Trex. If I've learned anything it is not to listen to a contractor. Our neighbors have Trex that is 5 years old and still looks great. Ours is terrible. I think if so many people are actually having all these problems, why isn't there a class action lawsuit??

CY, T=Junk has already paid off a Class action years ago along with securty violations, theft from Moisture Shield Decking,total lies in adversting,stonewalling the Wallets, ghesss it just goes on and on.

The new stuff has all the same problems but now the law staff has learned how to get around sub standared product. They have big oil money behind them so a real fight is useless. J.

Deckman22, I did not realize I was "crying" about my problems. I asked a simple question if others had problems with trex. We did quite a lot of research on choosing our contractor. He built two homes of friends who were very happy - both have Trex and no problems. I was in the process of moving 1200 miles while our house was being built, plus working full time, so was not able to spend 24/7 on the internet like some people. Yes, we realize now we made a poor choice, and are trying to find the best way to proceed. I didn't come to this forum to be belittled for my decision. I guess we all can't be as perfect as you see yourself.

"If I've learned anything, it's not to listen to a contractor."

Hmmm...alrighty then. Well, you've just won over the contractors that hang out here...

Talk about taking the wrong lesson from this experience. Your contractor was a home builder, not a deck builder. There is a difference, though home builders and home owners rarely make the distinction.

Best way to proceed? Attempt to get some more attention from TREX, live with the faulty product until you can't anymore, pay a deck guy to rip it up and replace it w/ a better product, party at your friends' houses 'cause their decks are nicer...

(You wouldn't have needed to spent 24/7 online to find that TREX has major customer complaints - a 30 sec. google search on "TREX decking problems" turns up pagefuls of complaints)

How close to the board edge are the screws? 1/2", 3/4", 1"?

Mac

builtbymac, maybe I should have said I've learned not to listen to my contractor. Yes, he is a homebuilder, but most homebuilders also do the decks and porches, right? If not, then maybe it is just my area where they do it all. But, now my contractor is saying he would never recommmend Trex again. Well, great, glad I could provide a learning experience for him.
The screws vary from 1/2" to a little over an inch. He has agreed to replace the cracked boards that are not at one inch. But, that is the least of the problems, the biggest problem is the deteriorating of the boards. It started with the ones along the house, now others are doing the same thing. It is only on the South facing deck, not at all on the wrap around covered porch. So, I am assuming it is weather related.
I do plan to complain more to Trex and see if we can at least get them to replace the entire deck. Although I would rather just have the money and replace the deck with another product. The porch is actually holding up very well,(so far). I can still party on our deck - have enough wine and who cares?

Last info I got trex had set 68 million $ into a fund to pay for defective product last year made at a SW plant. They seemed to have learned from the class how to ovoid another one. They also have sharpened up the kill knives in the legal dept.
With every 100 total enraged tjunk customers there are 3/4 that cant figure out what all the fuss is about,these guys sometimes dont have a problem with a total cleaning every year or they compare it to a preasure treated deck with all the splenters, or their define of falure is different than most,or they just get on to say the 180 from everyone else cause they have nothing better to do, or trex has a mojor batch problem and always has.

The cooling down process is a big time differance between tjunk and say Moisture Sheild. tjunk hits the product with water right out of the hot mixer/excruder, its a real fast/cheep way to do it its also just asking for trouble. Moisture Shield decking takes 7 hrs to cool down they dont use water at all its cooled naturaly as its processed.

Far as listing to a Contractor....its always a good idea, its also a good idea to be informed and to ask a lot of questions>>>> how long have you been building decks, how many do you have out using this material,how many of your past customers can I go talk to, do you have workers comp/libality insur, if you ride a motorcycle is it a Harley, things like that.

You really cant blame us Contractors for geting a little in defense mode when you get to talking like that about all contractors. J.

"but most homebuilders also do the decks and porches, right? If not, then maybe it is just my area where they do it all."

No, it's not just your area - however, most contractors who "do it all" don't do all of it WELL. What I was suggesting was finding a deck specialist. Many builders say they build decks and lots of them think that decks are a no-brainer, however, there are techniques and proper ways of building that I DON"T SEE on builder decks. They're mostly crap thrown up in the air.

"But, that is the least of the problems, the biggest problem is the deteriorating of the boards. It started with the ones along the house, now others are doing the same thing. ....
I do plan to complain more to Trex and see if we can at least get them to replace the entire deck."

I just replaced a 3 yr. old TREX deck that was no cost to the customer - materials or labor. Some, but not all, of the boards were deteriorating. My first suggestion to you above was more communication with TREX. It has worked for others.

Mac

Thanks, Mac, I appreciate your answers. We are writing a letter to the claims adjustor who handled our first claim of the 4 boards, which I haven't signed the release yet. So, hopefully we will get more out of them to at least replace our deck. The porch is still okay at this point. Our deck and porch are less than 2 years old. What materials would you recommend to use?
I will also try to find a deck specialist. And, I agree with you about contractors not doing it all well. I won't get into other issues with our contractor! :)
Thanks again.

Dear Cymraes:

I am a representative of Trex and wanted to address your concerns.

The first concern you noted was the installation of your deck. Based on your post it sounds like you went through our claims process and had our team verify that the contractor did not follow our guidelines and you have already come to an agreement with your contractor. I have included our guidelines for your reference.

"It is recommended to install all fasteners perpendicular (90 degree angle) to the boards. If screws are not installed at a 90 degree angle, then "dimpling" near the fastener head may result and leave a less than satisfactory appearance.

At board ends on the decks' edge, screws placed perpendicular at the recommended distance (1") from the board edge and side can be installed without board splitting.

Trex does not have a linear grain like wood and will not split if fasteners are started 1 1/4" from board edges and angled into the joist. 1" can be done, but should be pre-drilled first. Pre-drilling will reduce the probability of splitting."

In regards to your second concern regarding the release, I have confirmed with our legal department that material that is not replaced is still covered under our warranty. Regardless of your release copy, you can submit a future claim for any additional boards of concern.

If I can be of further assistance, please feel free to contact me at question@trex.com.

Pat M - Trex

Pat, I appreciate your reply, but my biggest concern is that a majority of the boards on my deck are now deteriorating into crumbles. If I have to file a claim every few months for 4 or 5 boards, this is going to become a major pain. It is apparent that the boards are all going to disinigrate at some time, so why not just replace them all, instead of a few boards at a time?

Dear Cymraes:

Please contact us at 800-BUY-TREX Option 2, than 3 to file a new claim. In doing so, please reference that you have filed a previous claim. If you have your previous claim number available, that would be even better.

We hope to be able to assist you further.

Pat M - Trex

Dear Mr. Cymraes,

I am just checking to see if you did contact our claims department to discuss your concerns. Please contact me if you need any further assistance.

Pat M - Trex

Pat M - Yes, I did send new photos to the claims adjustor, and I have not had a response.

Dear Cymraes:

Please contact me at question@trex.com with your contact information and I will see if I can help with the claims process.

Pat M - Trex

BEWARE!!! Trex is a ridiculous product I would never use again. My contractor installed it and started moving the furniture back onto the deck. The Trex was scratched and there is no way to repair it!! What??! You cannot move chairs around on a deck without scratching it?? It is an impracticable product for use on a deck. Trex customer service told me there was NOTHING that could be done.

As much as I hate trex and the Co involved with it, a Person has got to use the sprit of a sound mind.

If your silly enough to drag furniture over any deck surface over and over again not taking any care at all. You have no call to whine to t=junk about it. Or any one else. J.

OK everyone if not Trex then what?

I would also like to know what to use. I was looking at Home Depot's new Veranda, Its made by Fiberon. Any info on this product?????

My neighbor showed me some pieces of a deck he installed on a vacation home 5-6 years ago. It kind of looks like synthetic firewood left in the weather too long. Trex gave him new material but nothing for the labor to reinstall.

I would use material with a lenghy track record. If you junp on the latest thing out your taking a risk.

Thanks Grom, trex should use that picture while adverstising the "green" bio degrade they provide, a full cycle it comes from the dump and goes back there.

JonMon

Three years ago I did two levels of my deck with Trex decking. The biggest and most expensive thing I ever did. Every year it turns black,I clean it with deck cleaner and a month later it is starting to turn black again. I would never tell anyone to use this proudct it is total junk with a large price tag. I have over $4500.00 in my deck and I thing im going to paint it to correct the problem, what a shame. STAY AWAY Glenn Dyke

A lot of the posters on these forums are just plain hateful. These are adult cyber bullies. I always hope that having this outlet for their nastiness allows them to be kinder to people in their real lives. You have to ignore the douchebags and keep waiting for someone who is helpful to respond without the need to put you down. I hope everything has worked out for you. When you spend that much money you should get a quality deck.

I am experienced in construction. I used to build decks for a living 11 years ago. This is the first for me with composite decking. I went with TREX. I installed 4x4 post every three foot with 2x6 every 16" OC. My deck boards have little pot belly's. Curling up even on the sides. I will never use again.

To shawn green. I too was a deck builder for many years and am using Trex for the first time in years. I am having the exact same problem as your photos show with the ends swooping up. I used correct gapping and hidden fasteners. I havent seen the cupping yet but maybe I will soon? Im in the middle of the installation. My deck is also wet here in Bellingham Wa and Im wondering if it will flatten out when dry?

It might, Mine didn't. I was in Lowe's the other day and there were REX boards on the rack doing it. I'll never use this again.

Trex

What was the type of Trex decking used, Transcend, Select, or Enhance?

We have Trex for the second house. Never had a quality issue and it is holds up well with our dog…no scratches! It is decking around our elevated pool. Our problem is you can’t walk on it in the summer! Can’t let the dog out the back door until 3:00 or later or he will burn his paw.