what is trex decking made of
Trex decking primarily consists of recycled wood fibers and plastic films. It's engineered for durability and low maintenance as a wood alternative. Recent expansions like the 2026 Refuge PVC line highlight ongoing innovation.
Core Materials
Trex decking blends about 95% recycled content , mainly reclaimed wood fibers (like sawdust and timber scraps) with polyethylene or polypropylene plastic films from items such as grocery bags.
This mix creates a strong composite that's molded through heating, extrusion, and cooling processes.
A protective polymer cap on three or four sides shields against moisture, UV rays, scratches, and fading.
Manufacturing Breakdown
Here's how Trex transforms waste into boards, step by step:
- Mixing : Wood fibers and plastic are blended and heated into a pliable compound.
- Forming : The mixture extrudes through profile dies to shape boards with wood-grain textures.
- Capping & Finishing: Boards get a durable shell, dyes for color, and preservatives against rot/mildew.
- Quality Check : Rigorous inspections ensure strength and consistency before packaging.
This eco-friendly approach diverts millions of pounds of landfill waste annually.
Trex Product Lines
Trex offers tiers with slight material variations for different needs:
Line| Key Features| Material Notes
---|---|---
Enhance| Budget-friendly, basic protection| 95% recycled wood/plastic core 9
Select| Better fade/stain resistance| Deeper grain, multi-tone colors 79
Transcend| Premium scratch/UV resistance| Enhanced shell, tropical tones 9
Refuge (New)| PVC-focused for high performance| Expanding in 2026 markets 10
Pro Tip : Unlike pure PVC decking (100% plastic), Trex's wood-plastic balance provides natural feel with superior stability—no splintering or warping.
Why It Matters in 2026
As of March 2026, Trex remains a sustainability leader, with fresh news on Refuge decking rollout to Northeast U.S. markets—perfect for coastal builds resisting salt and splash.
Homeowners love it for skipping annual staining; just soap-and-water cleans keep it pristine for decades.
Imagine hosting barbecues on a deck that looks new after 10 years, all from recycled grocery bags—that's the Trex story in action. TL;DR : Trex decking = 95% recycled wood fibers + plastic films, capped for protection. Durable, green, and low-maintenance across Enhance/Select/Transcend lines.
Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.