We had a Trex deck installed in 2004. We choose to use the non-groovey side, Winchester Gray color. The deck is not slippery and cleans easily when power washed once a year. In the Spring of 2014 we needed to retrofit a small section of the deck and purchased four 16' gray Trex boards which now can ONLY be used on the groovy side. The other side is a blackish finish. Had them installed and now have a major issue. This section of 2014 TREX IS SLIPPERY. We notified Trex via email. They notified us back via email that we should use their 'Trex strips to make it less slippery' They have these readily available for their stairs! The 2014 product is so slippery just having wet shoes makes it an issue when walking across it. Bad enough they make a slippery product, but they ADMIT they have a FIX for IT??? Sounds like a class action suit needs to be established for this issue as well. This product should be removed from the market. It is extremely dangerous for all ages because it is so slippery.
COMMUNITY FORUM
- Forum >
- Flooring & Stairs >
- 2014 TREX is DANGEROUS BECAUSE IT IS SLIPPERY
Totally agree. We just installed a new trex deck. Our previous deck, installed around 2005, was warrantied as part of the class action because it literally fell apart. Our new deck is horribly slippery, even when it's not wet. I'm constantly afraid of falling and am very concerned about how bad it will get once it starts snowing. I would not recommend purchasing this product now that I know how slippery it is.
Here is what trex told me. I'm calling BS. First of all, it's significantly more slippery when wet than dry but their tests indicate it's nearly the same: Our material meets and exceeds those specifications set forth by the Americans with Disabilities Act which specifies that our material must have a coefficient of friction of at least 0.6 to be used in public places.
Our material has a coefficient of friction of 0.76 when dry, and 0.75 when wet, which is well in excess of what the ADA has deemed adequate for a walking surface.
If there is an ADA requirement for slip resistance, an appropriate type of paint with grit or grit additive can be applied. For standard Trex decking products, a product like Benjamin Moore Antil Slip 116 or an equivalent anti-slip alternative will provide an abrasive coating to materials for ramps that must meet ADA requirements.
Our material has a coefficient of friction of 0.76 when dry, and 0.75 when wet, which is well in excess of what the ADA has deemed adequate for a walking surface.
If there is an ADA requirement for slip resistance, an appropriate type of paint with grit or grit additive can be applied. For standard Trex decking products, a product like Benjamin Moore Antil Slip 116 or an equivalent anti-slip alternative will provide an abrasive coating to materials for ramps that must meet ADA requirements.
Here is what trex told me. They also said they rarely get complaints about it being slippery. I'm calling BS. First of all, it's significantly more slippery when wet than dry but their tests indicate it's nearly the same:
Our material meets and exceeds those specifications set forth by the Americans with Disabilities Act which specifies that our material must have a coefficient of friction of at least 0.6 to be used in public places.
Our material has a coefficient of friction of 0.76 when dry, and 0.75 when wet, which is well in excess of what the ADA has deemed adequate for a walking surface.
If there is an ADA requirement for slip resistance, an appropriate type of paint with grit or grit additive can be applied. For standard Trex decking products, a product like Benjamin Moore Antil Slip 116 or an equivalent anti-slip alternative will provide an abrasive coating to materials for ramps that must meet ADA requirements.
Our material meets and exceeds those specifications set forth by the Americans with Disabilities Act which specifies that our material must have a coefficient of friction of at least 0.6 to be used in public places.
Our material has a coefficient of friction of 0.76 when dry, and 0.75 when wet, which is well in excess of what the ADA has deemed adequate for a walking surface.
If there is an ADA requirement for slip resistance, an appropriate type of paint with grit or grit additive can be applied. For standard Trex decking products, a product like Benjamin Moore Antil Slip 116 or an equivalent anti-slip alternative will provide an abrasive coating to materials for ramps that must meet ADA requirements.
I think all your questions can finally be answered.
Take a look at ergodockusa.com website - specifically towards the bottom of the 'safe' page.
You will note that composite decking manufacturers don't even test for dynamic friction (slip resistance while moving). The tests they use (static friction) have been abandoned by ASTM and have been deemed invalid and obsolete tests for pedestrian safety - slip and falls
After reviewing I did extensive research (thought Ergo might just be a sales pitch) on the slip resistance test procedures that Trexs and others do for their products. The ergodock narrative is spot on correct!
It is a very interesting and informative narrative - take a look!
Take a look at ergodockusa.com website - specifically towards the bottom of the 'safe' page.
You will note that composite decking manufacturers don't even test for dynamic friction (slip resistance while moving). The tests they use (static friction) have been abandoned by ASTM and have been deemed invalid and obsolete tests for pedestrian safety - slip and falls
After reviewing I did extensive research (thought Ergo might just be a sales pitch) on the slip resistance test procedures that Trexs and others do for their products. The ergodock narrative is spot on correct!
It is a very interesting and informative narrative - take a look!
2017 We installed a 3 tier deck using this product along with our front deck/steps. I have FALLEN numerous times. I live in Minnesota. If it is rain, sleet, snow or dew my deck is like a skating rink! Walked out to the hot tub on the third tier at about 6:30 PM. IN November with NO snow. Took 1 step down and went flying! I'm now trying to figure out what to put down so this doesn't happen to anyone! My decks are gorgeous!!!! BUT I WOULD NEVER INSTALL THIS PRODUCT EVER AGAIN!
z :(
z :(
I'm really disappointed when we bought this we were told how great a deck that we were going to have it is nice looking it's great but we were never told and never worn that had that slippery product we never knew that and I'm very disappointed in the people who I bought it from we are in Utah and we have enough rain and enough snow that were really worried about what's going to happen on this deck I've slipped on it already on a dry product I've never had one most you're on it it just is slippery therefore I think that they should be told they have to warn the people who are buying it of what they're getting into there's no warning on the labels nothing
I installed a trex deck with steps in 2015 at my daughters house and have received complaints of being extremely hot in the summer and dangerously slippery when wet.I'm in the process trying to solve the slip and fall danger.
I'm a pastor at a church in WI and we installed this composite material on a brand new wheelchair/handicap accessible ramp. What a crap deal. How is it a handicap ramp when it is so slippery even fully mobile people have fallen on it? We're all going to be in wheelchairs if we don't add some non-slip surface, but then it kills the plan of having it be maintenance-free.
YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE...
INSPIRATION GALLERY
-
7 Types of Homeowners Who Can Benefit from a Backyard Shed
-
50 Products for Quick Fixes Around the House
-
How To: Keep Cool When You're Working Outside
-
21 Money-Saving Tricks Every Homeowner Needs to Know
-
12 Sheds You Could Live (or Work) In
-
Assembly Required: 15 DIY Kit Homes
-
7 House Sounds You Never Want to Ignore
-
10 Surprisingly Simple Woodworking Projects
-
Worth It: 8 Renovations That Pay You Back
-
Organize Your Life with 12 Dollar-Store Buys
-
9 Totally Amazing Mobile Home Makeovers
-
Don't Make These 7 Mistakes in Small Spaces
-
20 Sneaky Storage Ideas
-
15 Totally Unexpected DIY Flooring Alternatives
-
7 Easy Budget-Friendly Backyard Makeovers
-
10 Closet Cures That Cost Less Than $100
-
11 Easy DIY Projects to Declutter Your Home
-
19 "Zero Dollar" Garden Hacks
-
10 Killproof Plants for a No-Effort Landscape
-
9 Insanely Easy 1-Hour Backyard Projects
