Trex, new vs. 7 years ago

**David Meiland** · 06-27-2011, 10:22 PM

Customer of mine had a tree trimmer drop a big limb on her deck. The deck is just about 7 years old, and is plain, smooth material, not the woodgrain stuff that they seem to make now. There is 5/4 x 6 decking, 1-1/2" square balusters, 1-1/2 x 3-1/2" and 3-1/2" square rail material, and some 7/8" x 11-1/4" skirt board. The color had definitely faded (a lot?) but it appears to be a light brown/beige sandstone color.

Is stuff from that period still made? All the samples at the lumberyard look like new products and I'm wondering if they discontinued some products and replaced them. I have a call in to the guy at the yard who knows this stuff, but I figure some of you guys know more.

**ddolman** · 06-28-2011, 01:34 AM

Trex has a new line that has a pvc covering over the standard trex core. This new lining has a definate wood pattern. The old stuff is still available here and it has woodgrain on one side and smooth on the other. The ballusters and railing sound the same as what is still available here too.

**TSJHD1** · 06-28-2011, 07:38 AM

Well, there goes that selling point about how long that stuff will last! Becomes a moot point if you need to make a repair to a small section, and the color has faded, and/or you can't get the same product b/c the co has changed the formulation and doesn't make that type any longer.

David- I made a quick phone call to my local syn deck supplier, mainly because they have some Trex on closeout, and I thought it might be what you need (even though it'd be a long shot if it could be of any use to you, considering the distance btw us, and the fading issue.)

I was told Trex did make some changes: Used to be available only smooth. They since added the embossed side, and then later made that embossing more pronounced.

He also gave me their phone number: 800 buy trex.

Tom

**Andrew R.** · 06-28-2011, 05:16 PM

His insurance adjuster would cover non matching replacement to all of deck. The house I have the car ran through, adjuster gave new windows to the front for matching reasons.

**Kent Brobeck** · 06-28-2011, 06:48 PM

Originally Posted by Andrew R.

His insurance adjuster would cover non matching replacement to all of deck. The house I have the car ran through, adjuster gave new windows to the front for matching reasons.

This is true. My wife is a homeowner claims adjuster for a national insurance company. Since it's the tree trimmer who did it your client should turn it into their insurance company who will pay the claim and then recover the money from the tree guys insurance company. If it doesn't match they will replace all of it. I know she does.

**David Meiland** · 06-28-2011, 07:08 PM

Unfortunately, I think you guys are right, and that the tree guy is going to take a hit. The homeowner left a message this afternoon that matching material is no longer available (she did some research herself) and that the entire railing will need to be replaced. Frankly, I don't blame her, this is the front of the house and she is putting it on the market. The tree guy is someone I know and I hate to see this happen to him. An insurance claim can mean cancellation, which means you're no longer a contractor in this state.

**Kent Brobeck** · 06-28-2011, 07:14 PM

Originally Posted by David Meiland

Unfortunately, I think you guys are right, and that the tree guy is going to take a hit. The homeowner left a message this afternoon that matching material is no longer available (she did some research herself) and that the entire railing will need to be replaced. Frankly, I don't blame her, this is the front of the house and she is putting it on the market. The tree guy is someone I know and I hate to see this happen to him. An insurance claim can mean cancellation, which means you're no longer a contractor in this state.

David, I sure hope that doesn't happen to your friend. If he hasn't had a bunch of claims he should be ok. In Pennsylvania I believe you can purchase it through the state when that happens. That's why you pay the premiums right? For stuff like that.

**philthegreek** · 06-28-2011, 09:11 PM

That stuff is still available from TREX. It is the Accents line and are continuing to make it. It is smooth on one side and textured on the other. In Feb I got the new sample pack direct from TREX. They made me have to jump through hoops and have a regional manager visit me just to get the sample pack. It is available grooved or solid edge. All their other stuff is discontinued, which sux for all the decks I did with the Brasillia line as high end. In fact I'm trying to locate Cayanne boards now for customers so that they can have spares stored for just such problems as you're describing. I have also now gotten in the habit of ordering 2 or 3 extra boards and working it into the price since the last 1 1/2 years have really seen a shake-up and consolidation of decking manufacturers.
Railing is yet another issue unto itself. I'm now hesitant to push the composite railing as so many are no longer made.

Phil

**philthegreek** · 06-28-2011, 09:15 PM

Originally Posted by David Meiland

An insurance claim can mean cancellation, which means you're no longer a contractor in this state.

WOW! that's harsh. Is it because he has to many claims? A single claim and dropping? What's the use of getting a policy then?

PHIL

That color is Saddle.;-)

**David Meiland** · 06-28-2011, 09:57 PM

Phil, what my customer was told is that the color she has is no longer made, the dimension of the decking she has (appears to be 1-1/8" thick) are no longer made, no more 2x2 and 4x4, etc. Is that not your understanding? On the Trex site, on the Accents page, it shows 1" solid edge and grooved, and 2" solid edge, nothing else. It's basically just the decking....

I may need to take some time during working hours and actually call them, but I HATE (800) numbers.

**philthegreek** · 06-28-2011, 10:36 PM

Originally Posted by David Meiland

Phil, what my customer was told is that the color she has is no longer made, the dimension of the decking she has (appears to be 1-1/8" thick) are no longer made, no more 2x2 and 4x4, etc. Is that not your understanding? On the Trex site, on the Accents page, it shows 1" solid edge and grooved, and 2" solid edge, nothing else. It's basically just the decking....

I may need to take some time during working hours and actually call them, but I HATE (800) numbers.

Yes, you are right about the dimensional pieces. I though you were talking mainly decking. Sorry.
The decking samples are the same dimension of my old samples. The railing is a tough call, I certainly feel short changed by TREX, especially since I asked the rep repeatedly about future products and line at the Remodeling Show in the fall.

Phil

**philthegreek** · 06-30-2011, 10:51 AM

to add to my previous post, i consulted my sample kit and the literature with it. it is a current kit so it should be accurate.

The Accents line is available in 5/4(1") x 6 grooved or un-grooved, 2x6 (squared edge), 2x4 (non-textured), 2x2 balusters (30" & 36"), sleeves-skirts-caps-rails, AND 1 (3/4") x 12 or 1x8 fascia boards.
So I guess if you want a narrow fascia you can rip a 2x6.

Hope this helps, I know the TREX site is completely lacking in a lot of detail.

Phil

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