Trex is the #1 selling composite decking brand in North America, with approximately 40% market share in the composite/PVC decking category. Made from 95% recycled materials (reclaimed wood fiber + polyethylene plastic film), Trex offers the authentic look of wood without the annual maintenance. But navigating the three product lines — Transcend, Select, and Enhance — and understanding the true installed cost requires understanding how Trex is priced and installed.
Last updated: June 2026 — Prices verified against Trex authorized dealers, Lowe's, Home Depot, and 2026 contractor bid data. Trex product names and warranties are trademarks of Trex Company, Inc.
Trex Decking Cost Calculator
Trex Product Line Comparison — Transcend vs Select vs Enhance
Trex offers three product tiers. The differences are in the cap technology, color depth, embossing quality, and warranty coverage:
| Feature | Transcend | Select | Enhance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price/LF (material) | $8–12 | $6–9 | $5–8 |
| Installed Cost/SF | $28–38 | $22–32 | $18–28 |
| Cap Protection | 3-sided shell | 2-sided (top + edges) | 1-sided (top only) |
| Colors Available | 6 (rich tropical tones) | 3 (classic browns) | 5 (Basics) / 3 (Naturals) |
| Wood-Grain Pattern | Deep, realistic cathedral grain | Medium-depth linear grain | Subtle grain (Basics) / medium (Naturals) |
| Board Profile | Square + grooved | Square + grooved | Scalloped (lighter weight) |
| Fade & Stain Warranty | 25 years | 25 years | 25 years |
| Best For | Full-sun decks, premium homes | Standard residential, value | Budget DIY, rental properties |
Which Trex Line Should You Choose?
Transcend — Best for Full Sun
Trex's flagship line. The 3-sided cap technology wraps the board on top and both sides, providing maximum protection against fading, staining, and moisture absorption. The deep wood-grain embossing is molded from real wood boards for authentic texture. Transcend is the only Trex line that includes tropical color options (Spiced Rum, Havana Gold, Lava Rock) alongside traditional browns. If your deck gets 6+ hours of direct sun daily, Transcend's superior UV protection is worth the premium — lighter colors will stay noticeably cooler underfoot and fade less visibly than Select. Cost for a 300 SF deck (materials): $5,280–7,920.
Select — The Value Sweet Spot
Trex's best-selling residential line. Select offers most of Transcend's performance at 25–30% less cost. The 2-sided cap (top + edges) provides good protection for the visible surfaces, while the bottom is uncapped — this is fine for ground-level decks with adequate ventilation. Color selection is limited to three earthy browns (Saddle, Winchester Grey, Woodland Brown). For partially shaded decks or budget-conscious homeowners, Select is the best value proposition in the Trex lineup. Cost for a 300 SF deck (materials): $3,960–5,940.
Enhance — Budget-Friendly Entry
Trex's entry-level line. Enhance boards have a scalloped bottom profile (grooves cut into the underside) that reduces weight by ~20% and uses less material — keeping the price down. The Basics sub-line uses a single-sided cap; Naturals adds a better top cap with slightly richer color. Enhance is a solid choice for DIY decks, rental properties, and covered porches where direct sun exposure is minimal. The scalloped profile means you cannot sand and refinish these boards — once the top cap wears, replacement is the only option. Cost for a 300 SF deck (materials): $3,300–5,280.
Trex Decking Colors — Heat, Fading & Regional Preferences
Trex color choice isn't just about aesthetics — it directly affects deck surface temperature in summer. Darker colors absorb more solar radiation:
| Color Family | Transcend Colors | Select Colors | Surface Temp (90°F day) | Best Climate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light / Tropical | Havana Gold, Spiced Rum | — | 115–125°F | South, Southwest, full sun |
| Medium Brown | Island Mist, Tiki Torch | Saddle, Woodland Brown | 130–145°F | All climates |
| Dark Grey / Charcoal | Lava Rock | Winchester Grey | 150–170°F | North, shaded decks, pool decks |
Important: At 150°F+, composite decking becomes uncomfortable to walk on barefoot and can burn pets' paws. If you live in a hot climate (Texas, Arizona, Florida) and your deck gets full afternoon sun, strongly consider a light-color Trex or a PVC alternative (Azek/TimberTech AZEK) which runs 10–15°F cooler than capped composite. Some homeowners in southern states install outdoor rugs or shade sails over dark composite decks to manage the heat.
Trex Installation — Hidden Fasteners, Gapping & Substructure Requirements
Proper Trex installation is different from wood deck installation. The most common homeowner complaints about Trex — warping, sagging, and "wavy" boards — are almost always installation errors, not product defects:
Hidden Fastener Systems — $0.75–1.25 per LF
Trex grooved-edge boards are designed for hidden fastener installation — metal or plastic clips that fit into the groove and screw into the joist, leaving a clean surface with no visible screw heads. Trex's Universal Fastener (plastic) costs ~$0.75/LF of decking. The Cortex hidden system ($1.25/LF) uses plugs to hide fasteners on square-edge boards used for stairs and perimeter picture-framing. Budget estimate: 300 SF deck needs ~660 LF of decking = $500–825 in fasteners alone.
Joist Spacing — 16" Maximum for Residential
Trex requires joists at 16 inches on-center maximum for residential decks. Wood decking can span 24 inches on-center, so if you're replacing wood decking with Trex on an existing frame, check the joist spacing first. If your joists are 24" OC, you'll need to add intermediate joists — a significant cost adder ($5–8 per square foot for the additional framing). Diagonal Trex installation requires 12" OC spacing. Always check joist spacing before ordering Trex.
Gapping for Expansion — 1/8" to 3/16" End-to-End
Composite decking expands and contracts more than wood with temperature changes. Trex boards can grow 1/4" to 3/8" in length between winter (20°F) and summer (100°F). Butt joints must have 1/8" minimum gap in cool weather and 3/16" in hot weather to prevent buckling. Boards installed tight in winter will buckle in July. Trex provides a temperature-specific gapping chart with every order — follow it exactly.
Trex vs TimberTech vs Fiberon vs Azek — Material-Only Cost Comparison
| Brand / Product Line | Material $/LF | Material $/SF | Warranty | Material Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trex Transcend | $8–12 | $16–24 | 25 yr limited | Capped composite |
| Trex Select | $6–9 | $12–18 | 25 yr limited | Capped composite |
| TimberTech Advanced PVC | $10–15 | $20–30 | Lifetime limited | All-polymer PVC |
| TimberTech Composite | $7–12 | $14–24 | 30 yr limited | Capped composite |
| Fiberon Horizon | $6–10 | $12–20 | 25 yr limited | Capped composite |
| Azek Vintage | $11–16 | $22–32 | Lifetime limited | All-polymer PVC |
| PT Wood — for reference | $3–6 | $6–12 | None | Treated pine |
Trex vs Wood — 15-Year Total Cost of Ownership
For a 300-square-foot deck (660 linear feet of 5.5" decking), here's the real cost comparison including maintenance over 15 years:
| Cost Item | PT Wood Deck | Trex Select | Trex Transcend |
|---|---|---|---|
| Initial Materials + Labor | $4,200–7,200 | $6,600–9,600 | $8,400–11,400 |
| Annual Maintenance (stain/seal) | $300–600/yr | $0 | $0 |
| Board Replacements (by year 10) | $400–1,200 | $0 | $0 |
| Cleaning Supplies (15 years) | $200–500 | $150–300 | $150–300 |
| Total 15-Year Cost | $9,300–17,900 | $6,750–9,900 | $8,550–11,700 |
| Cost Per Year | $620–1,193 | $450–660 | $570–780 |
Conclusion: Trex Select has the lowest 15-year total cost of ownership — $2,550–8,000 less than PT wood. The maintenance savings completely offset the higher upfront material cost. Transcend costs more than Select but still beats wood over the long term. If you plan to stay in your home 5+ years, composite decking is cheaper than wood when you factor in the value of your time spent on maintenance.