Replies

1. 
   xMikeSmith | Sep 13, 2002 07:09am | #1

   Trex

   Mike Smith   Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore

2. 
   caldwellbob | Sep 13, 2002 07:13am | #2

   I've had good results with Trex and Smartdeck. The best looking results came when I used a countersink and one of the little stopcollars and used it on every screw.

3. 
   jet | Sep 13, 2002 08:38am | #3

   My wife likes ......................

   enough said!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

4. 
   vasalesman | Sep 13, 2002 01:56pm | #4

   Lots of experience with TREX, TimberTech, & Carefree, but Evergrain--two thumbs up!  They've beat TREX at their own game & built a better mouse trap.

   http://www.evergrain.com

1. 
   jocobe | Sep 13, 2002 02:54pm | #5

   However, Evergrain is 30 % more.  I mentioned in an earlier thread one of my dislikes of Evergrain.............wood grain in an obviously synthetic product.........sortalike vinyl siding with a grain pattern........looks too phoney for me!

   But that just may be me...

   jocobe

1. 
   vasalesman | Sep 13, 2002 04:03pm | #6

   It's a pros & cons situation.  I don't think any of the composites are all things to all people.  Some are even few things to few people!  Where I work, we stock both Evergrain and TREX.  Our purchase costs on full trailer loads are within a couple of cents per foot for comparable items from the two products.  If you compare TREX Natural or Winchester Gray, the difference is greater.  E-G has the same cost for any of the colored products.  They also have a "Driftwood" which actually has no dye and is lower priced, more on the Natural or Winchester Gray level.  If you buy from a yard that's not a stocking dealing either product, they're marking up from a substantially higher cost.  Some of these things could be the cause of your 30% variation.  But I do see the composites in general as being overpriced.

   Evergrain does have embossed wood grain.  I'm not a fan of fake graining but I think their's looks better than what I seen on other products over the years, especially vinyl siding.  My main gripes with TREX are varying profiles and dimensions from piece to piece and sometimes even in the same piece, and excessive color variation.  TREX is an extruded product and swells back up a bit after extrusion, while E-G is pressed in a mould.  This gives the E-G a very uniform size from one piece to another.  I get about eight to ten complaint calls per year about TREX color variations.  I've never gotten one on E-G.  Don't get me wrong about TREX though because it still is a good product.  Other factors are availability and recognition.  Most homeowners are familiar with it and it's not hard to find.  Like I said at the beginning, not all things to all people...

   A greater concern on composites in general is warranties.  Many, including both of these, are only offering 10 years.  That's not much for a premium product.  The public's impression is that these things will last forever.  But I've got concerns...

1. 
   burnsiecanuk | Sep 14, 2002 09:44pm | #8

   Is it just me, or does everyone and his brother produce a composite deck material.  There seems to be a different product at every lumberyard I go to.  They all seem to be made out of recycled plastic and wood chips.  EON is the only product with virgin plastic.  I am very impressed with the look of EON and would be eager to talk with anyone who has installed it.  Does anyone have experience installing comp decking on the diagonal on joists which run perpencidular to the house?

1. 
   stevecoleman | Mar 29, 2003 06:52am | #9

   I am a deck designer in the East.  At first I thought EON was the best thing around but have some doubts about installation and reliability.  The product is difficult to install so that end joints are covered.  Just look carefully at the brochure's pictures and you'll see what I'm talking about.  Also, the product melts if cut too fast and is flamable to a torch or possibly to a hot charcoal briquet. 

   However, the product is beautiful and has a nice matching railing system.  It has a smooth but honest-to-goodness non-slip surface and should be easy to clean.  It is also lightweight. 

   I have seen an installation by a major warehouse distributor and noticed that the hollow ends were showing and the gloss had faded off the surface.  Poor non-creative installation techniques and poor maintenance did nothing to help sell me. 

   I will be doing a test installation myself to see if I can overcome the installation problems I saw in the brochure and outside a store before I recommend this to a customer.  The product is so nice looking, I am willing to search for a solution.  Will let you know in my next update.

   My favorite and most reliable composite on the market is EPOCH Evergrain which is now owned by Tamko, the roofing manufacturer.  No, I don't own stock and I also realize nothing is perfect, but this product comes close. 

2. 
   stevecoleman | Mar 29, 2003 07:21am | #10

   Here's something I haven't seen in any replys but my customers who have had inexpensive composites like TREX have black mold streaks and blotches they can't or shouldn't have to get out.  Many people get sold on the glossy advertizements along with the promises made.  I was the same way until I started experimenting with different brands and saw existing decks. 

   Some of my customers have both TREX from an earlier project and EPOCH's Evergrain.  They tell me that as soon as they can afford it, they will have the TREX ripped out and replaced with E-G. 

   Pluses with E-G:  Consistant formulation of dense encapsulated fine wood fibers.  Will not absorb water.  Stays flat.  Can be applied with either FastenMaster screws or PL-400 and galvanized finish nails or nylon biscuits.  Steps can be overhung for non-slip and esthetics.  (I don't like the look or feel of a riser board coming up in front of the tread.  Depending on the product used on the riser, a customer could slip.)

   Problems with E-G: Customers fail to clean off grease and may later be difficult to remove.  Customers may want a glossy appearance to match their vinyl railings and its not going to happen just yet. 

   Recommendation:  All my installers who griped about having to switch to a new product after installing recycled plastic all these years now love E-G.  And using either the E-G skirt or the Carefree wrap to cover stringers and rim joists look good.  Just bevel the edges of the Carefree for a finished look and don't use screws to install the Carefree, 3 galv finish nails every 12-16" works and looks great. 

   Good luck in your business.  By the way, EPOCH has a great new brochure referred to as the Baby that has accurate color renditions to help your customers see what the product will look like. 

   Be Creative!

5. 
   awschmidt | Sep 13, 2002 04:53pm | #7

   TREX   Very happy with the application and workability of the product.