In the northeast, you need a deck that is strong enough to stand up to the wide variety of weather extremes it’s subjected to. In just the span of a few short days, the temperature can go from as high as 50 to as low as 8 degrees! With feet of snow, high winds, heavy rain, and humid summer days, a traditional wooden deck just won’t cut it. It will look nice, sure—but in under a year you’ll be spending time and money to clean and maintain it.
That’s why Capital Construction decided to choose Trex as their decking material of choice. Trex decking is a composite material that, unlike wood, is highly resistant to the elements and coated in a proprietary scratch-resistant seal. This property makes it the perfect option for New England homeowners. Trex decks are easy to clean and maintain and stand up strong against whatever Mother Nature can throw at it.
Trex offers three tiers of products in various colors and styles that provide different levels of protection. While Trex labels their Enhance, Select, and Transcend lines as “good, better, and best,” respectively, it can be hard to determine just which option is the most appropriate for your needs. In this article, we’ll be breaking down each tier of Trex Decking and their various benefits and potential drawbacks.
Trex Enhance: Lightweight and Inexpensive
In 2019, Trex introduced two new lines to their catalog: Enhance and Select. Both lines are designed to be less expensive than their flagship Transcend line, while retaining as much of its strength and performance as possible.
Trex Enhance comes in two separate styles: Basic and Natural. While the Natural style is labeled by Trex as “better” than Basic, they both share the same level of resistance against fading, stains, mold, and mildew.
The difference comes from the style and colors. The most affordable option available is the Basic style, available in three colors: Clam Shell, Enhance Saddle, and Beach Dune.
The Natural style is slightly more expensive than both the Basic style and Trex’s Select line but offers a wider range of designs and four colors: Foggy Wharf, Rocky Harbor, Toasted Sand, and Coastal Bluff.
The biggest difference between both styles of Enhance boards are their scalloped design: ridges are cut lengthwise down the board to reduce cost and weight. This comes at the expense of scratch resistance and style: some may find the look of the scalloped ridges unappealing.
Trex Enhance boards are available with square and grooved edges.
Trex Select: Mid-Range Performance and Versatility
The Select range of Trex boards are not scalloped, so they are stronger against the elements and are more resistant to scratches than the Enhance line. Trex Select boards are more expensive than Enhance Basics, but less expensive than Enhance Naturals, as they have a less dynamic design that is slightly more repetitive.
Trex Select Boards are available in five colors: Pebble Gray, Winchester Gray, Select Saddle, Woodland Brown, and Madeira. It offers both 1-inch squared and groove-edged options and a 2-inch square edge option.
Trex Transcend: Maximum Performance and Protection
The Transcend line is Trex’s premium option that offers the highest scratch protection and maximum performance against any sort of damage, weathering, stains, mold, or mildew. It is available in their widest range of styles and colors that mimic exotic wood. These include Island Mist, Tiki Torch, Havana Gold, Spiced Rum, Lava Rock, Gravel Path, Rope Swing, and Vintage Lantern.
It is the heaviest and most expensive option, but will stand up to the toughest weather conditions. This line comes in 1-inch square and grooved-edge options, as well as 2-inch square-edge.
Which Line of Trex Decking Should I Choose?
If you’re on a tight budget and don’t mind the scalloped look, the Enhance line offers well-rounded performance and value for locations that don’t experience a high volume of foot traffic or the worst weather New England has to offer.
For busier locations and more extreme climates, Trex Select will be the appropriate choice for a broad range of homeowners.
If you’re looking for the best quality and maximum strength against the toughest jobs you can throw at it, or have a busy house with children or pets, Trex Transcend is the way to go. Homeowners in extreme climates such as mountains or beaches should consider investing in Transcend.
Capital Construction are Boston’s Certified Trex Experts
Capital Construction is trained, licensed, and insured by Trex as a certified TrexPro Platinum service provider. This means Trex has recognized us as top-of-our-class experts in Trex Products. When you install Trex products through us, you can take advantage of Trex’s 10-year warranty on top of our 3-year labor warranty. We’re that confident in our work and Trex’s high-quality products! To get the benefits of Trex decking for your home, contact us today.
