Since 1996 Trex has invented, defined and perfected the composite deck category, becoming the world’s largest manufacturer of wood-alternative decking products and has now expanded to the fencing market. Never content to settle, we continue to make strides in outdoor engineering, melding innovation with environmental responsibility and beautiful form with powerful function. Leveraging our success with decking led to the inclusion of other compatible products. Primary among them was composite fencing, a unique and innovative application of material that had already proven its value.
Formed through the buyout of a division of Mobil Corporation, our company went public in 1999. Today we offer the industry’s widest array of high-performance composite products, which are available in more than 29 countries around the world. With the largest market share of composite decking in North America, a growing international footprint and over $700,000,000 in annual sales, we lead the industry on a global scale. From decking to fencing and all products in between, Trex is a trusted brand that consumers count on to perform at the highest level.
CHOOSING THE RIGHT FENCE
When it comes to building a fence, it’s worth thinking long-term so you know you are choosing the right fence. And that’s where this cheat sheet comes in. While some costs are simple, there are others that merit serious consideration. The most common alternatives to Trex are wood and vinyl fences. Below, we cover the 16 decision points to help you choose what’s right for you, your backyard and your budget.
The look of wood without the hassle and the ease of vinyl without looking “cheap”.
TREX FENCING COST OF OWNERSHIP COMPARED TO WOOD
Choosing the right Trex composite fence may mean more expense up front, but over time, it is actually the greater value. Approximately 10-12 years after the initial install, the cost of installation and upkeep a basic stockade wood fence exceeds the purchase of a Trex fence.
Consider also that the value of a fence extends beyond up-front, out-of-pocket costs. Your weekends are better spent elsewhere than working on your fence or arranging for maintenance.
WHY TREX?
So why Trex fencing? We’re committed to help you create a low-maintenance, high-performance secure backyard retreat. Trex composite fencing makes your life easier by giving your fence the strength of wood without the maintenance. Your weekends should be spent relaxing, not repairing your fence.
COMPOSITE FENCING LEADER
Since 1996, Trex has invented, defined and perfected composite fencing with a lineup of low-maintenance, high-performance products that fundamentally change the way we live outdoors. Trex fencing was introduced in 2005 to meet the demand for a more durable, more natural looking alternative to vinyl fencing while still meeting the criteria for low maintenance. With Trex composite fencing, you can be at ease in knowing that our well established brand, backed by its 25-year residential limited warranty, can be trusted to meet the demands for a fence that will last and continue to look attractive for many years.
HOW TO TELL IF IT’S GENUINE TREX COMPOSITE FENCING
The first thing everyone notices about Trex fencing is its unique design. The simulated board-on-board look gives it character in a way that a standard wood or vinyl fence do not. The top and bottom rails were designed specifically to provide a “picture-frame” element that catches the eye, and the deep rich colors have a matte surface that does not reflect light in the same way other manufactured products do.
Besides the unique beauty of a Trex fence, upon close scrutiny you will also see why Trex is a structurally superior product. Great care was taken during design and testing to ensure the fence was sound from the reinforced concealed brackets, to the engineered aluminum support rail, to the unique method in which the pickets interlock. Fences are only as strong as their posts. The Trex fence post is one of a few standalone composite components that does not require an internal support such as a galvanized steel insert or a 4×4 wood post.
GREEN FENCING
We make Trex green fencing eco-friendly composite fencing from an innovative blend of 96% recycled wood and plastic—that’s almost the whole thing. And we’ve been this way for more than 20 years, well before green was a buzzword. Because in the end, all of us want to look out on our fences and know that we’ve done our part. As one of the largest plastic recyclers in the U.S., Trex saves 400 million pounds of plastic and wood from landfills each year. In addition to contributing to a healthier environment, our eco-friendly composite fences also contribute to LEED points—not to mention your good karma. Learn more about Trex and the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED Rating System.
RECYCLED WOOD
Reclaimed wood that would otherwise end up in a landfill finds its way into Trex high-performance composite materials. By using reclaimed sawdust, we never have had to cut down a tree to make our products. Ever.
RECYCLED PLASTIC
The recycled wood in our fences is combined with recycled plastic from a variety of sources ranging from the overwrap on paper towels to dry cleaner bags, sandwich bags, newspaper sleeves, and grocery and shopping bags. The average 100-linear foot Trex composite fence contains 140,000 recycled plastic bags!
ECO-FRIENDLY MANUFACTURING
Trex’s proprietary, eco-friendly processing method eliminates the use of smoke stacks. Also, our factory runoff and refuse are recycled back into the manufacturing line. Our trailers even run on vegetable-based oil hydraulics.
THE BIG PICTURE
Trex works along with other U.S. Green Building Council members to transform the way buildings and communities are designed, built and operated with the goal of creating environmentally and socially responsible spaces that improve the quality of life.
TREX FENCING COLORS
Personal aesthetics are an important element in deciding the color of your Trex fence. Consider carefully which color best matches your sensibilities. Here are some examples and ideas for color selection.
SADDLE
Saddle fencing fades from a dark tan to light tan. It is popular on properties that emphasize earth tones or is used to resemble a natural stain of a wood fence.
WINCHESTER GREY
Winchester Grey fencing will be a noticeably different color when new (typically a brownish/green color) and will weather to its intended color of light grey. Because it has a brownish color when new, it can be mistaken as Woodland Brown at first glance. Winchester Grey is a popular color when combined with a white accent. It can compliment natural colors in brick or masonry, and can be attractive when used in modern urban design.
WOODLAND BROWN
Woodland Brown is the darkest Trex fencing color. It is a dark brown. Woodland Brown fades the least from its new color. It is often popular as a contrast to lighter colors on the property.
COLOR WEATHERING
The time and degree of the weathering process depends on exposure to UV light. Fencing that has less exposure to sunlight may take longer to fade. Due to the nature and process of producing composite materials it should be expected that color variation between Trex Composite Fencing components may occur and in some cases may be significant. Trex Fencing is produced from a variety of recycled plastic and wood fibers that may absorb pigments differently. Color variation does not affect the integrity of the product. Variation may be more pronounced with Saddle and Winchester Grey. The colorization process during manufacturing deliberately over-pigments the product to ensure the final weathered color is achieved when it has faded. All three colors of Trex Fencing will lighten over time and some of the color variation may become less noticeable. However, weathering will not eliminate all variation. To minimize the appearance of the variation, extra care should be taken to install similarly pigmented pickets within a given lot code close together, where possible.
COMPONENTS
Trex fencing components include: posts, post caps, top rails, bottom rail covers, pickets, aluminum bottom rails, and reinforced fence brackets. The components per 8′ section of fence are:
Posts are typically set in concrete and brackets are fastened by 1-5/8 in. wood screws. Both the concrete and screws can be purchased at most local building materials stores. The fence is designed for 8’ sections (center of post to center of post). Shorter lengths can be made by cutting material as would be done with lumber. The smart design means only 24 total fasteners are required per section allowing for rapid assembly.
Not sure if Trex Fencing is right for you? Curious about the lifetime value of a Trex Fence? Is Trex a “green” alternative to wood and vinyl? Browse our FAQs to answer your questions.
