TREX® Installation
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Fastening TREX
Virtually any deck fasteners work well with Trex. Bolts, nails and screws can all be used. As with wood,
spiral shank nails provide better holding in Trex than do common nails. Hot-dipped galvanized, ceramic
coated, or stainless steel nails and screws are highly recommended to take full advantage of Trex's
durability. Deck screws generally do not require pre-drilling. When using wood screws or lag screws, you should
pre-drill all holes at ¾ of the diameter of the actual screw. NOTE: Most screws will cause Trex to
"mushroom" up over the screw head - simply tap down with a hammer to get a "counter sunk" look.
More force is required to drive a nail in Trex than with regular wood. When driving nails into Trex,
make sure the nail is tapped in ½" to ¾" before driving with full force. Nail guns with a minimum
of 110 psi work exceptionally well with Trex. During cold weather, Trex may become more stiff, due
to its plastic content. In these cases pre-drilling before nailing is recommended.
Handling TREX
Trex weighs more than wood and is more flexible, so support needs to be adjusted accordingly during handling
and storage. Do not attempt to lift similar volumes of Trex as if it were wood. When moving pieces of Trex
over 8' in length, lift from two balanced midpoints instead of endpoints. To avoid warpage when stacking and storing
units, make sure Trex is stored on a flat surface. Supports should start at each end and be spaced 24" on center.
It is very important that each support line up vertically to uniformly distribute the load of Trex.
Painting/Staining TREX
Trex can be stained or painted just like wood, although paints and sealants are not required for protection. Latex
paints provide superior results. Oil-based products will take considerably longer to dry. No special priming or preparation
is necessary for painting Trex, except that the surface should be wiped clean. When painting, apply a test area or
scrap piece to check color before continuing. For best results when using stain or polyurethane, wait until the fading process
for newly-installed Trex is complete (approximate 8-12 weeks) before applying. To speed up the weathering process,
periodically spray water on your deck from a garden hose.
Sanding/Planing TREX
Sand and plane Trex in the same way as regular wood. Because Trex has almost twice the density of most woods,
expect less "bite" off the material per pass.
Caring for TREX
Trex is truly an "easy-care" surface. It requires no stains or sealants. Trex also eliminates the headaches associated
with splintering, rotting and insect damage. All you need to do to your Trex deck is clean it periodically. Here are some
helpful hints to keep Trex clean and beautiful for years to come!
For stains caused by mold, mildew, berries and leaves, conventional deck washes containing detergent and sodium hypochlorite work
well.
For rust stains or ground-in dirt and grime, use cleaners containing phosphoric acid.
For tougher oil and grease stains, scrub with a detergent containing a degreasing agent as soon after the stain occurs as possible.
For grease stains that have set, try a light hand sanding with a fine sandpaper. The sanded area will soon weather from brown to
grey to match the rest of the deck.
Periodically clean out expansion gaps between Trex boards with a flat tool to ensure proper drainage.
Guide for Cleaning Your TREX Deck
| Concern | Likely Cause/Reason |
Recommendation |
|---|
Color variations
(immediately after installation) |
May be evident with a newly installed Trex Deck prior to weathering. |
With exposure to sunlight and water, color will weather to the same family of driftwood grey hues. |
Color variations
(after weathering) |
Areas of the deck may receive more/less sunlight and/or water |
For dry areas, the weathering process can be accelerated by periodically wetting down with a garden hose. For
heavily shaded spots, use a deck sprayer filled with household bleach to "fade" the unexposed areas. |
| Rust marks |
The "feet" on metal furniture sometimes trap moisture which may cause rust to form and stain the deck surface.
Also, lower quality fasteners and other metal hardware objects can cause rust stains. |
Use a cleaning product containing phosphoric acid based cleaners to remove rust stain. |
| Ground-in dirt/grime |
Pets, yard dirt, normal foot traffic, airborne pollutants, etc. |
Phosphoric acid based cleaners work well. |
| Mold/mildew stains |
Forms where moisture is prevalent, particularly under planters, in heavily shaded areas or due to poor drainage |
Use conventional deck washes or cleaners containing sodium hypochlorite and detergent. Be sure the deck has gaps between boards
to allow for water drainage, and that the substructure supporting the deck boards is level. |
| Oil/grease stains |
Barbeque grills are a major source of grease stains. Other sources of grease stains may include salad oils, greasy foods, and
oily residue on shoes or work boots. |
Remove grease and oil stains with a household degreasing agent as soon as the stain occurs. For stains that have set, a light
sanding with a fine grit sandpaper works well. The sanded surface will initially become brown. This is normal and over time
will fade back to a driftwood grey hue.
Helpful Hint: to prevent stains around your barbeque, lay down a sheet of plastic
sufficiently large to capture all of the grease splatter. |
| Water puddling |
Inadequate gapping between boards, gaps clogged with dirt and debris. An uneven substructure. |
Use a flat tool to clean out gaps between boards. If gaps are inadequate, a kerf cut may be required. This should only be done
by a qualified decking/remodeling contractor. |
| Ice/snow buildup |
Ice buildup can occur on Trex as well as other decking materials during extreme weather conditions or because of water
puddling combined with freezing temperatures. |
Calcium Chloride is an effective treatment for melting ice on Trex and is less messy than rock salt. |
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