over all the years, this is the first for us to build a trex deck
we mostly do remodels, additions and new homes,
and live in an area where cedar is about 35cents a foot less, so people often go for cedar
questions,
1)the local lumber yard sells a screw for trex that wont muchroom the trex,’, however, how does that hold up to the new pressure treated, what screw should we use then ??? ( I hate the new pt)
2) owner told us that they were told that after a few years ,that no matter what color trex they pick now , it will all fade to the same color, spotted grey true or false
3) owner was told that trex can build static electricity and to be careful with metal railings etc, true ????
yes, I know I said I build with cedar, but it was not me saying that stuff about trex
Replies
bump
My experience with trex is that it fades some, but not to a constant grey. For the screws, recommend McFeelys if your local yard can't provide. I'm in me-sha-gin, when I'm on a deck it is usually not a "dry heat" and the only static is the intermittant shop borne trex dust or saving from millwork (the shop has a/c).
Trex can actually be stained with a good penetating wood stain, like Penofin or Sikkens.
Get the yard to provide you with one of the "Trex" speed squares. The square has wider edges that are designed to provide consistent spacing between the planks.
Be aware, unless you get the planks with the wood grain impression, there is a topside and a bottom side. The bottom side is flat and the top has a slight crown across it to shed water.
The factory ends are not always square and are a little rough, but the planks are usually about an inch or inch and a half longer than 12' or 16' so be prepared to square up both ends. I always either ease the cut edges with a sander or use a small radius roundover bir in a router, depending on the deck. (I do that with wood, too; just a habit...looks better IMO).
It's limber, so carry it on edge, especially on warm days. It will break if mishandled.
It's slick when in a stack, so if you haul it, strap it down well.
Store the planks stacked straight and flat; it will take a set and can make a straight layout a PITA.
The self-countersinking screws designed for it sport a double speed thread that draws it down tight. The heads are cupped like a mushroom and set in very nice. I believe they are available in SS, but the coated ones I've used are galvanized and coated to match the deck color and I don't anticipate problems.
Edited 4/2/2005 9:26 pm ET by Wormdrive
What wormdrive said.
I don't know about the static buildup. sounds kind of like a minor issue at worst.
The trex railings/posts, etc. are junk. I wouldn't use any of it for support or structure.
The deck boards do fade. I haven't used all the colors but the dark brown definitely becomes gray.