Trex Deck Installation

Trex offers a low-maintenance alternative to traditional wood decking.

Trex is a plastic/wood composite decking and railing material. It offers some advantages over traditional pressure treated or cedar timber decking. Most notably, it requires no paint or sealer after construction. Also, being a plastic composite, it is rot and termite resistant. It can be cut and shaped with standard building tools but requires specialty fasteners. Installing this material requires roughly the same amount of labor as standard decking but offers the promise of lower maintenance for the life of the deck.

Things You'll Need

• Measuring tape
• Pencil
• Circular saw with carbide blade
• 2 sawhorses
• Spacers
• Trex fasteners
• Drill and pilot bit
• Driver bit
• Rubber mallet

Instructions

1. Measure and mark decking the material at the desired length. Trex should be used as decking and railing material only. The deck's structural members, posts, stringers and supports should be standard weather-resistant lumber.

2. Place the decking plank on top of the sawhorses. Place the cut line as close as possible to the edge of the sawhorse. TREX planking is flexible and requires more support than traditional lumber. Use a circular saw with sharp carbide blade to make the cut. The plastic in the decking will fray when cut with a dull blade.

3. Set the plank in place on top of the deck frame. Drill pilot holes for all mounting points where the decking intersects the support stringers.

4. Use a drill with a driver bit to sink the Trex fasteners slightly below the surface of the decking. This will cause the surface of the decking to swell slightly around the pilot hole. Tap the swelling flat with a rubber mallet.

5. Set the next plank next to the first. Insert spacers between the two boards to maintain a uniform gap in the decking. The gap between planks should be no more than 1/4-inch. Roofing nails make convenient, easily replaceable spacers. Drill and attach this and the remaining planks in the same fashion.

Tips & Warnings

• Trex decking will sag noticeably on hot, sunny days. Placing support stringers at 12-inches on center rather than the standard 16-inches will reduce this effect.

References

• Trex.com: Trex Decking and Railing 2011 Installation Guide
• Ask Tool Talk.com: Try Trex for Decks, Mike Mangan, 2003