To the OP, I've never used TREX Transcend as I stopped working w/ TREX 5 years ago. Regardless of whether or not the company has fixed their problems regarding shoddy boards, they HAVE gotten very good at weaseling out from honoring warranty claims. TimberTech is a strong company that stands behind their products. Are they perfect? No. But they'll make it right if need be. If you buy TREX, you can only HOPE that the boards don't start disintegrating. If they do, you'll find yourself in phone hell trying to find a live person to fulfill your claim. On another topic, I've actually found that the TT XLM boards are MORE scratch resistant than the TT Evolutions. Not sure which one's better about stain resistance though... Mac Here is a link that might be useful: My deck blog

So in reading it sounded like TimberTech is generally considered to be a decent product and possibly Azek. True? Which TimberTech product are you looking at? I've been very happy with XLM on my deck. It's very hard and doesn't scratch or stain. It's PVC so it pretty much does look like plastic - though it has a faux woodgrain finish on one side. I think Azek is also PVC so it is probably comparable. I also looked at CorrectDeck CX and it looked good - not sure if it is still available. Is there anything particularly tricky about installing either of these or can my good GC do the job? I would think just about anybody could do it - I used the same contractor that did my porch, siding, and roof. You do need to do something with the ends of the boards because you can see the "structure" - picture frame or something. They make a matching fascia board for this and that is what I used. I also used the hidden fasteners and grooved boards. Approximately what is the cost of this material compared with others? I think I paid $3.XX per board-foot - but that was several years ago. It was more expensive than composite.

None of the composite guys claim maintence free any more after the trex class action went thru, TT never says maintenance free. Mold and Mildew with grow on anything outside including us if we stay still long enough. If a person looks close enough in the instlation instrustions TT requires at least 12'' ground clearance and cross ventalation.From the projects I have seen even built by pro deck contractors these requirements are completly ingorned. Even if done 100 per cent right, composite has to be kept Clean if anything it requires at least as much care as the adverage ipe deck. John

I have never found a deck that is not slippery when it rains or snows.You must remember the old deck was wood and probaly have a layer of not really rot but water had created a slick surface sort of slime for lack of a better word. You might find that happens with trex too since you do not get sun strong enough to dry out between rains.