A Trex composite fence is made up of many different materials, instead of a wood fence or a vinyl fence, which uses only one material. But what’s so great about a composite? Think of a shirt that is part cotton, part polyester. The cotton makes it soft and the polyester helps it hold its shape. Or CFRPs, another composite that we use every day. From bikes to airplanes, the fiber makes it lightweight and the resin makes it strong. The point of composites is to take the strengths from each material to make a better product, and even eliminate the problems of a single material.
Polyester/cotton blend shirts are extremely popular.
CFRP is also known as Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer.
Trex Composite Fencing
In fencing, building with a single material has its pros and its cons. Wood might be strong, but it is susceptible to rot and insect damage. Vinyl might be easy to maintain, but it is easily broken. That’s where the Trex composite material comes in. Trex uses wood and plastic, taking the best features from both, to make their composite material. Using wood gives it strength and a natural appearance. Using plastic makes it resistant to rot and insect damage. But it gets even better. 95% of the composite material is recycled. Trex takes reclaimed wood and sawdust that would otherwise be thrown out. Additionally, they use all kinds of plastic film, including grocery bags, plastic wrappers from products like toilet paper and paper towels, and even sandwich bags. By utilizing recycled materials, Trex has never cut down a single tree or manufactured brand new plastic to make a fence. Trex composite isn’t just good for your fence, it’s also beneficial for the environment.
Wood
Composite
Vinyl
Trex Composite Colors
Another material in the composite mix is the color. Other companies use expensive UV inhibitors, but their fences always fade. Trex is smarter. When the fencing is manufactured, the material is over pigmented (meaning there is extra color added), so it will naturally weather to the correct color. Everything outside in the elements is going to change, but Trex makes sure your fence will always look fantastic.
A Fence For Every Season
Unless you live in under a large sheltered dome, you’re going to need a fence that can handle the weather. From hot summer days to cold winter nights, and everything in between, the Trex composite is virtually weather-proof. We’re not sure if it would survive a volcanic explosion, but it’s been tested against most everything else. Trex won’t contract like wood, making gaps in between pickets. And when it gets cold, Trex won’t become brittle and shatter like vinyl. It’s been certified to withstand hurricane force winds and it won’t rot in humid environments. Again, it’s that special combination of wood and plastic that helps it withstand the elements.
Trex Fencing is made for extreme weather.
Trex vs The Other Guys
How does Trex compare with other composites? The short answer is: no other product out there measures up. And here’s why:
Trex Composite Material has been perfected in their fencing and decking.
Experience
Trex was founded in 1996, more than 20 years ago, introducing the idea of wood/plastic composites to the outdoor market. In an effort to compete with Trex, many companies have attempted their own composite fencing line with less than stellar results. The common theme among these companies is that they tend to crack, just like their products. Other manufacturers just can’t produce a formula that is strong, sturdy, and long-lasting. And when the products fail, the company either sells out or closes, and those warranties they offered are now void.
Formula
The exact Trex formula is a company secret, but it’s easy to find out what’s in Trex and how it’s made. It’s right here on their website.Trex uses recycled wood and plastic. Other companies aren’t so transparent, and it can be tricky to figure out what exactly is in their fencing. One company’s composite is made from plastic and wheat, which warps badly in the heat. Another company uses bamboo which isn’t sustainable. Some vinyl and plastic fence companies will even try to pass their material off as composite, saying that its many up of many different types of plastic. But these fences are just plastic, through and through, and come with all the issues of a plastic fence. Even still, some companies will just make composite pickets, then require the use of wood or metal posts which decay in the ground. If a fence manufacturer claims their product is composite, do a little research to find the truth.
Picket Style
In addition to their solid formula, Trex has designed their fence pickets to interlock in a simple, yet brilliant way, that makes them 100% private, 100% secure, and 100% easy to install. The other guys use different styles that just don’t work as well. When using face nail pickets, the nails will loosen over time and the boards can warp and split. Solid panels are heavy, can’t be customized, and can’t slope in an uneven yard. Tongue and groove boards will gap as they expand and contract, and they aren’t nearly as strong as the Trex. The fencing system is just as important as the fencing material.
No other fence works like this.
The Cost of Composite
There is one more thing we have to address, and that’s the cost. If you’ve done your research on composite fencing, you know that it is the most expensive fencing material. But if you’ve really done your research, you know that Trex is worth every penny. While wood and vinyl might be cheaper up-front, you still have to account for the cost of maintenance and repair. Wood fences need painting or staining, and protective coatings to prevent rot and insect damage. Vinyl fences, while they seem low-maintenance, are easily broken and must be repaired or replaced to keep them looking nice. So yes, Trex Fencing is expensive, but if you want a fence that looks impeccable, doesn’t require ongoing work, and comes with a 25-year residential warranty, it’s the cheapest fence of all.
Trex is the fence you need.Still not convinced? We encourage you to do your own research. Our customers tell us that, after exploring every option, Trex is the winner. We’ve had contractors say it’s the best material they’ve ever worked with. Click here to order your very own samples of Trex composite fencing.
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