Trex vs NewTechWood
TLDRIn this comparison, Trex and NewTechWood composite decking materials are evaluated based on their maintenance, appearance, and cost. Trex, a well-known brand since 1996, offers three lines of decking with a 25-year warranty and various finishes. NewTechWood, a newer player since 2010, features all-four-side capped boards with unique brushed and wood grain finishes. While Trex is available in 20 colors, NewTechWood provides 16 colors with dual finishes. Price-wise, Trex's options range from competitive to premium, while NewTechWood tends to be more expensive as a group but offers some cost-effective choices. Both brands provide durable, low-maintenance decking options, but Trex has more third-party testing to back its durability claims. Ultimately, the decision may come down to personal preference in appearance and the importance of warranty enforceability.
Takeaways
- 🌿 Both Trex and NewTechWood are composite decking materials made from 95% recycled plastic and wood fibers.
- 🏆 Trex is a more established brand, starting in 1996, while NewTechWood is a relatively newer player in the North American market since 2010.
- 🛠 Trex offers three product lines: Transcend, Select, and Enhance, while NewTechWood has a different range of options.
- 🔍 Visually, Trex has larger wood fibers noticeable in the boards, whereas NewTechWood uses microfibers and appears more like plastic.
- 💡 NewTechWood boards are capped on all four sides, providing a fully sealed surface, unlike Trex which only caps the top and bottom of the board.
- 🖼 NewTechWood offers a choice of finishes - brushed or wood grain, with cathedral patterns, on the same board, unlike Trex.
- 🎨 Trex provides 20 colors, while NewTechWood officially has 16 but offers two finishes for each color, effectively doubling the options.
- 💸 In terms of pricing, Trex's Transcend is more expensive, followed by Select and Enhance, whereas NewTechWood's pricing varies with some options being cheaper and others more expensive.
- 🛡 Both brands offer a 25-year warranty, but Trex also includes labor coverage with certified installers, whereas NewTechWood does not.
- ⚖️ Trex is based in the United States, making warranty enforcement potentially easier, while NewTechWood is based in China, which could complicate legal proceedings.
- 🏗️ Ultimately, the choice between Trex and NewTechWood may come down to personal preference in appearance and the specific features desired in a decking material.
Q & A
Which two composite decking materials are being compared in the script?
-The script compares Trex decking and NewTechWood composite decking materials.
When did Trex first start producing composite decking boards?
-Trex first started producing composite decking boards in 1996.
What are the three categories of Trex decking boards?
-The three categories of Trex decking boards are Transcend, Select, and Enhance.
What is unique about NewTechWood's Ultra Shield decking?
-NewTechWood's Ultra Shield decking is fully capped on all four sides, providing a sealed-off appearance.
How many colors does Trex offer for their decking boards?
-Trex offers 20 different colors for their decking boards.
What is the significance of the brushed and wood grain finishes on NewTechWood decking boards?
-The brushed and wood grain finishes on NewTechWood decking boards provide two different aesthetic options for the same board, which is not available with Trex.
How does the script describe the material design of Trex Enhance decking?
-Trex Enhance decking has scallops, which remove material to make the board lighter and more economical, without weakening its structural integrity.
What is the approximate cost per lineal foot for Trex Transcend decking?
-The approximate cost per lineal foot for Trex Transcend decking is around five dollars.
What warranty coverage does Trex offer for their decking boards?
-Trex offers a 25-year warranty for all their decking boards, covering fade, stain, and structural issues, with labor coverage up to five years for certified Trex installers.
How does the warranty for NewTechWood decking compare to Trex's?
-NewTechWood also offers a 25-year warranty, pro-rated, similar to Trex's, but does not include labor coverage and must be enforced without class action lawsuits.
What factor does the script suggest is most important in making a final decking decision?
-The script suggests that appearance and personal preference are the most important factors in making a final decking decision.
Outlines
🌳 Introduction to Trex and New Tech Wood Decking
This paragraph introduces the topic of composite decking, focusing on Trex and New Tech Wood. Ryan from decksbye3.com provides a brief history of Trex, the leading brand in composite decking since 1996, and its various product lines. It also mentions New Tech Wood, a relatively newer brand in the North American market, known for its Ultra Shield product. Both decking materials are made from recycled plastic and wood fibers, but they differ in appearance and design. Trex decking features larger wood fibers, while New Tech Wood uses microfibers and offers both brushed and wood grain finishes on the same board.
🔍 Comparison of Material Design and Pricing
The second paragraph delves into the material design and pricing of Trex and New Tech Wood decking. It highlights the differences in the structure of the boards, such as Trex Transcend's capped top and New Tech Wood's capped sides. The paragraph also discusses the aesthetics, with Trex offering 20 colors and New Tech Wood providing 16 colors with two different finishes. Pricing is compared, with Trex Transcend being the most expensive and New Tech Wood's prices varying across its different series. The paragraph notes the lack of third-party testing for New Tech Wood, unlike Trex, and mentions some concerns about the material's durability.
🛠️ Warranty and Enforcement Considerations
The final paragraph focuses on the warranty and enforcement aspects of Trex and New Tech Wood decking. Trex offers a 25-year warranty on all its boards, including fade, stain, and structural coverage, with additional labor coverage when installed by certified installers. In contrast, New Tech Wood also provides a 25-year warranty but does not cover labor, and its warranty conditions include no class action lawsuits and mandatory settlement in China. The paragraph emphasizes the importance of appearance and personal preference in choosing decking materials and suggests that warranty enforceability may be a consideration for consumers.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Trex decking
💡NewTechWood
💡Composite decking
💡Recycled plastic and wood fibers
💡Capped decking
💡Finishes
💡Durability
💡Price
💡Warranty
💡Appearance
💡Maintenance
Highlights
Trex and NewTechWood are both composite decking materials aiming for low maintenance and outdoor enjoyment.
Trex is a well-known brand in composite decking, starting production in 1996 and offering over 20 different boards in three lines: Transcend, Select, and Enhance.
NewTechWood is a relatively newer brand in the North American market, introducing Ultra Shield in 2010, which is part of a Chinese company founded in 2004.
Both materials are made from 95% recycled plastic and wood fibers, but they have different appearances; Trex has larger, noticeable wood fibers, while NewTechWood uses microfibers.
Trex boards are capped on the top and bottom, while NewTechWood is capped on all four sides, providing a fully sealed surface.
NewTechWood offers a choice between brushed and wood grain finishes on the same decking board, unlike Trex.
Trex offers 20 different colors, while NewTechWood officially has 16 colors, but each comes with two finishes (wood grain and brushed), effectively doubling the options.
Third-party testing and durability comparisons are more readily available for Trex than for NewTechWood.
Trex Transcend is solid with a capped top, while Select is slightly thinner, and Enhance has scallops for lightness and cost-effectiveness.
NewTechWood's hollow cylinder design makes the boards lighter and reduces material usage without compromising strength.
Trex pricing ranges from $5 to $3 per linear foot for different lines, with Enhance being the most economical.
NewTechWood pricing varies, with some lines being more expensive than Trex, and others being more affordable.
Trex offers a 25-year warranty on all boards, including fade, stain, and structural coverage, with labor coverage for certified Trex installers.
NewTechWood also provides a 25-year warranty, but it is pro-rated and does not cover labor.
Enforcing the warranty against NewTechWood may be challenging as the company is based in China, and no class action lawsuits are allowed.
In the end, the choice between Trex and NewTechWood may come down to personal preference in appearance and the specific features of each board.
Trex's warranty is enforceable in the United States, while NewTechWood's may require legal action in China.
Both Trex and NewTechWood offer visually appealing decking options, and the final decision should be based on the deck owner's aesthetic preferences and budget.