COMMUNITY FORUM

PLEASE KEEP ME AND EVERYONE INFORMED OF WHAT HAPPENS. I HADE MY DECK BUILT IN 2002 AND IT IS CRACKING AND PEELING. IT ALSO HAS SWELLED AND IS COVERED IN MOLD AND FUNGUS.

PLANTMAN

I too have had all of the problems listed above. I am containing Trex to find out what they will do about replacing the boards. Right now I would be happy if they updated me to their latest and greatest product and I will cover the install costs.

Rich

I had the rotting/crumbling problem also on my deck installed August, 2004. After I contacted them and jumped through all the hoops with descriptions, measurements, pictures, etc. they sent an inspector and eventually agreed to replace the materials. Nothing offered for labor of dismantling and disposing of old, and installing new. I did not sign their agreement and asked for a possible refund. They the offered an insulting $133.92 in addition to the materials. I don't think that money would even cover the new screws. There is a possible new class action suit for decks installed after July, 2004. I'm looking into it.

George F

We have the same problem. Our deck was installed Aug of 2005 and by the next summer there were no gaps. It's a pool everytime it rains. Trex suggested "kerf" cutting, but even the people they recommended thought that was a bad idea. I've had three people recommend getting a new deck. I'm also looking for advice. I believe Trex should be accountable, but from what I've seen on the internet I'm not hopeful.

I, too,have had the same issues with my Trex ("redwood") deck. The rep will give you the boilerplate reply, offer a cleaning solution, but the mold spots will return within 2 weeks. They know they have a problem, but won't deal with it. I have also contacted the BBB. There are 2 class action suits that are supposedly in process, but no word yet.

May I have your email so we can band together?

I have a PhD in science and have worked with polymers for years. Trex and other composites have a basic design flaw since they are made with wood cellulose materials that contain natural sugars, etc that mold loves. The polymer only make matters worse and reduce the drying rate of the composite. Coupled with this is the very high coefficient of thermal expansion of any polymer. From Trex data a 16 foot long board will expand over 0.34" from hot summer to winter in many parts of the country (100F swing). This is causes a lot of the problems. Azek, Evergreen, all have this issue. I believe Trex must be the worse. I wonder how they cannot acknowledge the problem.

I prefer wood. IPE is high maintenance but at least it lasts. Has anyone had experience with vertical grain fir?

Are there still problems with Trex that is being manufactured now? And what types of maintenance issues are associated with IPE? We're planning to build a new deck and right now these are the two options being considered. We live in the high desert so it can get quite hot in the summer and very cold in winter. Thanks!

I built a pool deck with Trex decking material in 2003 and haven't had any problems with it. I believe the product line that I used was known as Trex Origins.

I'm considering replacing my house decking material with a Trex product line known as Accents. Of the four products lines now available, it most resembles what I used on my pool deck.

Of those numerous complaints described on this board, no one has indicated the type of Trex product line that is giving them problems.

Has anyone had a problem with the Origins or Accents product lines ?

I believe mine was Accents. Madiera in color. I believe I got an inferior product after the 2004 lawsuit. Better off staying away from it, go with another customer that will show up at a home and garden show, Trex is never there. Maybe for good reason.