I know I just posted something similar to this post just a while ago, but I didn’t really receive a definitive answer. I’m building a large deck using Woodland Brown. All of the posts, balusters, 2 x 4’s, 2 x 6’s, 1 x 8’s and 5/4 x 6 x 20′ are one color (darker). The 5/4 x 16′ and 5/4 x 12′ are another color (lighter). I’m using the different length material to minimize end joints and waste.
The lumberyard said the lighter material was older and the darker was newer stuff. It will fade slightly to the same color.
Trex said Woodland Brown is colorfast and will not change at all. However, in accordance with their brilliant customer service they’ll have a rep call me in 7 – 10 business days……..give me a break.
My customer is not real thrilled in having a multi-color deck. They are not picky, but based on what Trex has told me I’ll wouldn’t put it on my deck!
By the way, the deck at my house is natural (which fades from brown to grey). You gotta have a lot of faith to put that stuff down.
But this is not my deck……..it is a customer’s deck……..and I’ve lost my faith!
Is the color difference an age problem (which will correct itself) or a batch problem……which I’ll have to return.
Can anyone give me some help………..please!
Thanks! jocobe
Replies
My understanding is that Trex has either discontinued or altered the darker brown color since it gets too hot underfoot.
T. Jeffery Clarke
"My customer is not real thrilled in having a multi-color deck" - it sounds like you've answered the question yourself, who cares what Trex says? Even if it all fades to the same colour some time from now, will a less than satisfied customer and the advertising of a multi coloured effect be something you can live with if you decide to hope for the best?
Guys,,I have to say,amoung all the composits,,Trex is the worst in many ways,,,1 its business pratices the last two years,,a lot like enron,,2 it has a major black mold problem the stuff comes up from inside,,,3,,its adversting,,you know the pictures that show the plasly shaped decking on the ocean,,that are really 4x8 modles>> S##t,,if you cant build it,,dont show it,,,!!!!these guys dont deserve one thin dime of my money...John Hyatt deckmastersllc.com
John,
I`m with you on the bogus advertising!!!
Have you seen the ad in FHB for the "low profile" AC units (I believe its Panasonic)?
A full page photo of a Victorian house with an old AC unit poppin` out EVERY window! Every window, two, three units per room! A small inset photo of their model as seen from inside the house. Geez, I`m just too stupid to figure out what it looks like from outside!
I hate when they pull that BS! If your product is that good, why do you need such exagerated advertising?J. D. Reynolds
Home Improvements
"DO IT RIGHT, DO IT ONCE"
I'm not gonna swear to it, but to my knowledge, they all fade to grey . Color difference won't really matter in about 6 months.
Davo
They all don't fade to grey. Natural is the most drastic.........sandy brown to grey.
I talked to a rep from Trex last night and he said that in all his years (#=?)experience he has not had a problem with the color Woodland Brown. It should all fade nicely to the same shade. As a test, soak two samples (light and dark) in a bucket of bleach and the next morning they should be about the same color. This will simulate the aging process. Well.........I just looked and they aren't..........the difference is now even more pronounced. He said he'll come out and look at them if the test didn't work out right, but he was 99 1/2% sure he would never hear from me again.....................wrongo!
jocobe
You know you can paint it, right? If the color of the decking and the railing is different, but close, just paint the railing a contrasting color. Or if the rail is consistent, and the deck is mix and match, then paint the deck. I have multicolored decks like that, and it looks great. The beauty is if you can repaint just the horizontal surface every few years. You know right where to stop.
If it's in the sun, too light a color will blind you, but feel cool under foot. Too dark, it's gonna get too hot.
Good luck with the Trex rep. Sue him for the price of painting and see what happens.
B
My local lumberyard informs me that Penofin has come out with a 'stain' for Trex.
Ken Hill
We had the same problem, with woodland brown. I think it was two different lot #'s or something...but they did fade to about the same after about 2-3 weeks. I am trying to find that stain Ken, as I cut down 2x8 to 2x6 + 2x4 dimen. for a curved railing, and the edges are a VERY diff. color contrast. Let me know if you find out something. The trex folks seem to think that their product is God's gift....but after this last deck.....give me wood.