Survey on Trex composite decking - DIY Chatroom

TC1 · 06-18-2007, 07:38 PM

Would like to know if anyone out there has installed the Trex Brasillia within the last year that has had problems with it. Scratching, splitting, severe discoloration. I'm trying to figure out if there was a bad batch out there...Thanks

**AtlanticWBConst.** · 06-18-2007, 07:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TC1

Would like to know if anyone out there has installed the Trex Brasillia within the last year that has had problems with it. Scratching, splitting, severe discoloration. I'm trying to figure out if there was a bad batch out there...Thanks

Are you asking because you have had problems with the material?

TC1 · 06-18-2007, 07:44 PM

Oh Yes

**slickshift** · 06-18-2007, 09:28 PM

...I'm not sure what you are searching for
If it is internet ammo, that usually doesn't hold much water when it comes to dis-agreements with manufacturers

I'm assuming you have complained to Trex?

TC1 · 06-19-2007, 01:53 PM

Yes, that is the frustrating part the Trex Rep. came out said we did everything correctly as did the lumber salesman but when they sent everything to the higher power they said we sank the screws which we didn't. I'm just trying to find out as much information as I can.

**AtlanticWBConst.** · 06-19-2007, 02:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TC1

Yes, that is the frustrating part the Trex Rep. came out said we did everything correctly as did the lumber salesman but when they sent everything to the higher power they said we sank the screws which we didn't. I'm just trying to find out as much information as I can.

Why don't you post some pictures of it for us, especially the screws that they had issues over.

Tank · 09-18-2007, 10:04 PM

lets see the pictures...

bigchaz · 09-19-2007, 11:36 AM

Just this morning Ive read 3 or 4 threads on problems with trex. Trust me its not a bad batch....

Barry M · 09-20-2007, 10:31 PM

Tell them what you really think Charlie

bigchaz · 09-21-2007, 12:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Barry M

Tell them what you really think Charlie

WOOD! WOOD! WOOD!
pressure treated!
cedar!
ipe!

lizrodelli · 09-26-2007, 06:06 PM

I have Trex Brasilia and have had nothing but problems. The mold is everywhere.......it stains if a leaf falls on it, it has started to show signs of warping and all Trex has to say is that the deck was not installed properly. I am now looking into a class action lawsuit. If anyone is interested in joining us, please contact me directly at lizrodelli@aol.com.

Thanks.

hardwood_decks · 09-27-2007, 04:13 PM

It seems that composite decking companies have spent millions of dollars advertising their products instead of spending money and time testing their products, thats why everyone things its low maintenance - their advertising works but their products don't!

I would never install a composite deck because I don't want to deal with the complaints and problems that every composite decking material has. I only use hardwood deck materials because certain species can last 40+ years with no splitting, no cracking, no cupping, no warping, no splinters, NO SCRATCHES, and NO MOLD. The only OPTIONAL maintenance that you may want to do is apply a UV Inhibitor like Messmers so the sun does not bleach the wood that way you can keep the rich exotic look of the wood. If you don't apply the UV Inhibitor the wood will turn a natural silver color which some homeowners want anyway. The UV Inhibitor is about as easy as spreading warm butter on a hot roll! The decking materials I usually work with are Ipe Decking , Cumaru Decking , Garapa Decking , and Tigerwood Decking which is my personal favorite.

By the way when you install decks that look this good you typically get so many referrals you won't be able to handle it.

rjordan392 · 09-27-2007, 04:58 PM

Just today while in the local home center, I went over to the Trex and ran my fingernail over it. I was able to leave a scratch. Now what would it look like after children get done playing on it or you moving the furniture around or people getting up out of chairs by sliding them slightly rearward? Hmmmm.

Now besides cleaning it well two times a year, count on removing the scratches or staining it twice a year. "Maintenance Free" ???????

If all composites are like this, count me out.

I took a look at the "Tigerwood". Now that is nice.

***Nathan*** · 10-04-2007, 06:03 PM

Moved this from the site help forum... hopefully that's OK with everyone.

maggies1 · 02-14-2008, 02:52 PM

In Sept. 05, we purchased trex decking, 206 2x6x16 boards, great looking decks, Oppss! now it is bubbling, and falling apart. We installed it ourselves according to the trex policy and proceedures for doing so, now we have over $8,000.00 worth of junk on our deck. Trex will replace the boards, the screws after the fact, and the original cost of labor for installation. They will not cover the cost of removing the defective material, we are concerned about damage to our sub-structure. Interestingly enough Trex has stated "its profit was hurt by a $45 million increase to a product defect reserve for the replacement of decking material manufactued at it's Nevada plant between 2003 and 2006". They also settled a suit in 2004 but continued to sell this product, stating in their advertising that "you can do it" now they tell us that our decking was not "contractor" installed. So we are now out financially. I would never have done this project if we had known what a mess was ahead of us.