Timbertech vs Trex: What’s the Difference? Which Is Better?

There are many choices to consider when purchasing decking for a project. If you’ve narrowed the choice to Timbertech vs Trex, you’re probably wondering what’s the difference and which is better. We’re here to help!

Timbertech is 80% recycled material, offers greater color selection, and is wrapped on 3 or 4 sides with a PVC cap. Their mid-range and high-end decking are more expensive, plus they have a 100% PVC line of decking. Trex decking is 95% recycled material and is polymer capped on 3 sides, it is 10% to 20% cheaper for mid and high-end lines, but 30% more expensive on their budget line.

In this guide, we’ll explain what Timbertech and Trex decking are and compare them based on common points. We’ll discuss the similarities and differences and identify which is better and why. Our goal is to provide you with the information to make the best decision for your decking project.

What is Timbertech Decking?

Timbertech is a brand of the AZEK Company and offers both PVC and composite decking. Their PVC decking is 100% synthetic material that contains up to 54% recycled PVC waste while their capped composite planks contain up to 80% recycled synthetic and wood materials.

Timbertech uses color-cascading technology to produce natural color blending for a more realistic wood look. The boards are easy to install using color-matched fasteners or stainless-steel hidden clips, and never require sanding, staining, or painting. All Timbertech decking is strong, sturdy, durable, easy to maintain, and resistant to rot, splintering, warping, and insects.

Their premium AZEK series decking is lightweight capped PVC and is available in 26 colors spread over four collections – Vintage, Arbor, Harvest, and Porch. It is 100% synthetic for better protection against weathering, fading, moisture, mold, and mildew and offers a real wood look and feel.

AZEK planks are available in 3-1/4”, 5-1/2”, and 7-1/4” widths, allowing for greater design flexibility. Plank lengths vary for widths, but typically are 12’, 16’, and 20’. Plus, the series carries a lifetime product warranty and a 50-year limited warranty against fading and stains. It is also more expensive than their composite decking.

The Timbertech Pro series is composite decking with a 100% polymer cap wrapping all four sides, including the groove, to help prevent moisture intrusion, mold, and mildew. Available in 16 dynamic, blended colors spread over 3 collections – Legacy, Reserve, and Terrain – all with true wood grain patterns.

Pro series planks are 5.36” x 0.94” with grooved planks being 12, 16, and 20 feet in length and square-shoulder planks 16 and 20 feet. The series carries a limited 30-year warranty overall and a 30-year limited warranty against fading and staining.

Timbertech Edge is their least expensive series of composite planks and is wrapped in a 100% polymer cap on only three sides. The series has a straight wood grain for a subtle wood look and feel, and is available in six solid and blended colors spread between the Prime and Prime+ series. The boards are all 5.36” x 0.89” with square-shoulder planks available in 16 and 20-foot lengths, and grooved planks in 12, 16, and 20 feet. The Edge series carries a 25-year limited warranty and is warrantied against staining and fading for 25 years.

What is Trex Decking?

Trex has been manufacturing wood-alternative or composite decking from recycled materials since 1996. Their composite decking is 95% recycled wood and plastic material. It is better suited to withstand the elements than natural wood, so it has a longer lifespan and requires less maintenance than wood.

Colors are blended through the planks for consistency which allows scratches to blend better. The decking is resistant to fading, insects, mold, rot, scratches, splitting, splintering, and stains. There are three lines of Trex decking; Transcend, Select, and Enhance. The decking is protected by a polymer cap or shell on the top and sides, not the bottom.

Trex Transcend line is Trex’s premium high-performance decking. It is low-maintenance, has a deep wood grain, and is available in eight monochromatic multi-tonal wood tones or colors. The finish helps to reflect the sun and UV so the planks feel cooler on hot days than other manufacturers’ composite decking.

The square edge and groove edge planks are 0.82” x 5.5” and 12, 16, and 20 feet long. A 2×4 (1.3”x3.4”) and 2×6 (1.3”x 5.5”) square edge plank is also available in 12, 16, and 20-foot lengths in this series. This series carries a limited 25-year residential use warranty and also a limited 25-year warranty against staining and fading.

Trex Transcend Lineage series is an offshoot of the main Transcend series. It has similar performance, characteristics, and warranties, but is currently only available in two trendy bleached or lightened brown or gray color tones. Square edge planks are 0.94” x 5.5” by 16 or 20 feet, while the groove-edged profile is 0.94” x 5.5” and 12, 16, and 20 feet in length.

The Trex Select line has a high-performance shell for low-maintenance stain and mold-resistant composite decking at a lower price than their premium line. It’s available in five natural wood tone colors with a wood grain look and feel. The square edge and groove edge planks are 0.82” x 5.5” and 12, 16, and 20 feet long.

This series also offers a 2×6 (1.3”x 5.5”) square edge plank in 12, 16, and 20-foot lengths. The Select line is backed with a similar 25-year limited residential warranty and a limited 25-year warranty against fading and stains.

The Trex Enhance line is a more budget-friendly, durable, low-maintenance composite decking with a natural wood-grain appearance, available in 4 natural and 3 basic wood colors. The fluted design of the underside makes the boards lightweight yet strong. Both square edge and grooved edge 1×6 planks are 0.94” x 5.5” and 12, 16, and 20 feet long. The Enhance line carries similar 25-year limited warranties to the other lines.

Timbertech vs Trex: Key Points

The differences between Timbertech and Trex depend on the product. Comparing high-end to high-end vs budget-friendly to high-end will give a better idea of which to purchase. In the table below, we look at the two manufacturer’s decking product lines to provide a general comparison.

What’s the Difference Between Timbertech vs Trex?

Making the decision to use a composite or PVC decking instead of wood can be difficult, but once that decision is made, you have to decide on which decking to choose. Timbertech and Trex are two top choices, but they’re not the same. Choosing which is best for your project usually is a matter of the differences. For comparison, we’ve chosen to look at only the 1×6 planks to help assist in that decision.

Material & Capping

Trex is manufactured with 95% recycled #2 and #4 plastics (bags, jugs, cartons, etc.) and wood fiber material. It has a protective polymer cap or shell on three sides that protects against moisture, scratches, and environmental damage.

Timbertech composite decking is similar but is composed of 80% recycled #2, #4, #5, and #9 plastic and wood fiber material. The plastics include bags and jugs like Trex, as well as hard plastics like cups and Tupperware. The capping on Timbertech boards, depending on the product line, is either all 4 sides or just the top and sides, similar to Trex. The boards are also capped with a polymer shell. Their AZEK PVC line is 100% plastic, 54% of which is recycled PVC material.

Durability

Both Trex and Timbertech composite decking is highly durable products. They both can withstand exposure to blistering sun and UV rays, and frigid winter temperatures, and are warrantied against fading and stains, as well as structural defects. Both products will fade slightly initially with exposure but then maintain their color. As to whether Trex or Timbertech composite boards are more durable, any advantage of one over the other is slight to nil and typically depends on the reviewer’s personal experience.

If adding Timbertech’s AZEK PVC decking into the durability comparison, then it does change the dynamics. It is impervious to moisture damage, has greater resistance to scratching and insect damage, and has a longer lifespan. Thus, AZEK PVC offers greater durability than composite boards due to its composition.

Scratch Resistance

Pets, foot traffic, and furniture movement, plus weathering and falling debris can cause scratches to even the toughest deck surfaces. Both Trex and Timbertech offer highly scratch-resistant polymer caps to protect against scratches, however, they still can be scratched.

Trex blends its colors throughout its boards, helping to hide or mask scratches, giving it a slight advantage in the scratch tests over Timbertech’s composite decking. It should be noted though, that Timbertech’s AZEK PVC line performs better than both manufacture’s composite lines in the scratch test.

Decking Profile Options

Timbertech offers solid square and groove edge board profiles, as well as scalloped-based profiles depending on the product line and series. The high-end and mid-range series are commonly solid while the budget series are scalloped. Their AZEK planks are available in 1”x3-1/4”,1”x5-1/2”, and 1”x7-1/4”, Pro series in 0.94”x5.36”, and Edge series in 0.89”x5.36”. They also offer a 1-1/2”x5-1/2” (2×6) board size in some series, and 1/2″x11-3/4” fascia board too.

Trex offers solid square edge and groove edge plank profiles. The widths and thicknesses vary with different series, with the high-end and mid-range boards being 0.94” x 5.5”. Mid-range boards are also available in 2×4 (1.3”x3.4”) and 2×6 (1.3”x 5.5”) square edge planks. The budget-friendly line boards are 0.82” x 5.5” and also include a 2×6 (1.3”x 5.5”) square edge plank.

Color Options

Color choice availability depends on the decking series selected, but commonly includes multi-tonal variations of grays, browns, and reds. High-end products typically offer greater color selection than budget-friendly lines. Trex offers 22 color options that are spread among their lines – Transcend comes in 8 colors, Lineage in 2, Select has 5, and Enhance 7. Timbertech offers more than 40 color options that are also split among their different lines and series – AZEK has 26 color options, Pro 12, and Edge 6.

Maintenance

Both Timbertech and Trex decking are resistant to cracking, warping, mold, mildew, and rot, and can last a long time. However, they both require regular cleaning with a soft cloth or sponge and warm soapy water to remove dust, pollens, spills, and sunbathing lotions. Plus, regular cleaning is a requirement for warranty coverage. A power washer set below 1,500 psi with a fan tip can be used, but the tip should never be closer than 8-inches to the board.

If concerned that moisture is causing mold or mildew growth, Trex and Timbertech composite decking can be resealed with a quality waterproof sealer designed for composite decking. Just clean the boards with warm soapy water with an anti-fungal agent added, allow to dry, and then apply the sealer as directed by the manufacturer’s instructions. The sealer will prevent moisture from penetrating into the decking and reacting with the organic material to cause mold growth.

Installation

Decking installation can be DIY or professionally done. The pros have all the special tools and experience, so typically are much faster than the DIYer, but they are significantly more expensive. The design layout or pattern will also impact installation, as will square edge vs grooved edge profiles.

Both manufacturers offer color-matched installation clips, plugs, and stainless-steel fasteners for their groove and square edge profiles. Availability of fasteners at local supply stores can be an issue, so order extra unless they are available locally. Prices vary, as do the number of fasteners in the packages, which are often identified by the number of square feet they will secure, not the number of pieces.

Timbertech offers CONCEALoc, EDGELoc, and FUSIONLoc hidden fasteners and L-brackets for their composite decking lines. Plus, Cortex, SIDELoc, and TOPLoc fasteners for their AZEK PVC decking. Timbertech also has a SIDELoc guide installation tool to make installation easier.

Trex has a Universal Fastener Installation tool with a special hideaway star drive bit. The tool makes it easier to install their hidden Universal Fasteners in groove-edged boards. They also have special starter clips for perimeter boards and a groove cutter router bit that is compatible with their hidden fastener system.

Warranty

Decking installation can be DIY or professionally done. The pros have all the special tools and experience, so typically are much faster than the DIYer, but they are significantly more expensive. The design layout or pattern will also impact installation, as will square edge vs grooved edge profiles.

Both manufacturers offer color-matched installation clips, plugs, and stainless-steel fasteners for their groove and square edge profiles. Availability of fasteners at local supply stores can be an issue, so order extra unless they are available locally. Prices vary, as do the number of fasteners in the packages, which are often identified by the number of square feet they will secure, not the number of pieces.

Timbertech offers CONCEALoc, EDGELoc, and FUSIONLoc hidden fasteners and L-brackets for their composite decking lines. Plus, Cortex, SIDELoc, and TOPLoc fasteners for their AZEK PVC decking. Timbertech also has a SIDELoc guide installation tool to make installation easier.

Trex has a Universal Fastener Installation tool with a special hideaway star drive bit. The tool makes it easier to install their hidden Universal Fasteners in groove-edged boards. They also have special starter clips for perimeter boards and a groove cutter router bit that is compatible with their hidden fastener system.

Price

Both Timbertech and Trex are more expensive than wood decking, however, they will last longer and don’t require sanding and staining which can actually make them cheaper in the long run. The cost often depends on the quality or series selected, color, width, length, installation hardware, and even the ZIP code where purchased, so shop around.

It should be noted too, that not all products may be available at any one location. However, samples can be ordered from the manufacturer, and most distributors will order in special requests.

Timbertech manufactures both PVC and composite decking while Trex produces composite decking. The table below identifies the prices for my area at the time of writing.

Which Is Better Trex or Timbertech?

Identifying the differences to determine which is better, Trex or Timbertech composite decking ultimately depends on the purchaser. If the budget is more important, Trex is 10 to 20% less expensive on their mid and high-end decking, but 30% greater on their budget-friendly line. Trex also includes 15% more recycled material in their manufacture, so on an eco-friendly front, they are diverting more from the landfill sites per board.

Timbertech warranties greater longevity on their AZEK and Pro lines, and equal time on their Edge line to Trex’s warranty. The AZEK line is 100% PVC, and the Pro line has a PVC cap on all 4 sides, while the Edge line is capped on only 3 sides. All Trex lines are also capped on 3 sides. The cap on the composite decking protects against weathering, moisture, fading, staining, and scratches. Trex also handles temperature fluctuations slightly better, while Timbertech handles moisture better.

On independent scratch tests, Trex came out ahead, plus they blend the color throughout the decking, so scratches blend in better. Timbertech fades less than Trex, and its Pro line is warrantied for 30 years against fading vs Trex’s 25-year warranty. Timbertech’s sliding warranty offers better coverage than Trex’s for decks older than 12 years, which means you’ll get more money if decking needs replacing.

Trex and Timbertech’s Pro line are both resistant to stains, but the budget-friendly Edge line is more susceptible to staining. Both manufacturers’ composite lines have better slip resistance than the AZEK PVC line, but neither is as good as solid wood. Both Timbertech and Trex composite boards have similar looks, but they aren’t real wood, so don’t expect them to have the same curb appeal. Timbertech’s AZEK line, being 100% PVC, looks more plasticky than the composite decking.

Timbertech offers greater color and product choice than Trex. Both have proprietary fasteners, are DIY-friendly, and are easier to clean and maintain than solid wood decking. So, whichever ticks all your boxes and looks best to you, is the best choice. Hopefully, you have a better understanding of the differences between Trex and Timbertech decking and are better prepared for your decking project.