Whether you use your deck for cooking, relaxing, entertaining, or any other purpose, it needs to be built well if it’s going to last. For the longest time, most decks were made from natural wood. Pine, premium hardwoods, and reclaimed wood were the main materials used, but composite decking has since come along and changed the decking industry for good.
Composite decking is decking made from mostly synthetic material and is mainly composed of recycled plastics combined with post-consumer and post-industrial material such as wood chips, sawdust, and wood fiber. The combination of recycled wood and recycled plastic makes the material more durable and resistant to flexing/sagging than pure wood decks, yet cooler and less likely to heat up in the sun than a deck made from pure plastic.
Composite decking is also incredibly stylistically diverse and comes in a wide variety of different colors, textures, and styles, depending on which brand you choose. When it comes to composite decking manufacturers there are two names that stand out among the rest, Fiberon and Trex. Both companies have pros and cons that may or may not suit you, depending on what you’re looking for out of your composite deck.
In case you’re interested in composite decking and want to explore your options, let’s go over a complete breakdown of two of the most prominent companies in the industry. This will give you a clearer perspective on what each company has to offer and how your preferences and needs match up with both Fiberon and Trex.
- Trex uses 95% recycled material in all of its decking products while Fiberon claims that all of its decking products are made from at least 94% recycled material.
- Both Trex and Fiberon are similar in cost, but Trex is a little bit more expensive.
- Both Trex and Fiberon are without a doubt, some of the most respected companies in the composite decking industry.
Fiberon vs Trex – Product Warranty
In terms of warranties Trex and Fiberon are similar, with Trex edging out the category a bit. Trex offers a 25-year warranty across the board on their decks. This warranty covers fading, regular staining, and staining from contact with mildew or mold.
Fiberon, on the other hand, offers a 20-year warranty on their Armorguard decking products and a 25-year warranty on other decking products. Their warranty covers both staining and fading, but you must provide proof that the deck was installed properly or else the warranty is void. Hiring a professional deck-builder will have you covered here.
Fiberon vs Trex – Product Material
Trex uses 95% recycled material in all of its decking products. Its residential railing products are made with at least 50% recycled aluminum, and its commercial railing is made with at least 70% recycled aluminum. Recycled plastic and recycled wood products like old pallets made from wood, reclaimed scrap wood, and sawdust is what they use in their composite decking products.
In comparison, Fiberon claims that all of its decking products are made from at least 94% recycled material. They use the same sources of recycled wood as Trex does. They also own a plastic recycling plant and recycle all their own plastic. This includes items like milk jugs, bags, and bottles, and adds up to millions of pounds of plastic each year.
Fiberon vs Trex – Durability and Resistance to Elements
Because both Trex and Fiberon use composite material for their decking products, they have nearly identical durability. Both offer the aforementioned 25-year warranty for staining and fading.
Resistance to the elements is a given with both companies, as composite material is unaffected by temperature fluctuation, moisture, and other natural elements. It’s also stronger than regular wood and much harder to scratch or chip.
Fiberon vs Trex – Cost
Both Trex and Fiberon are similar in cost, but Trex is a little bit more expensive. The flagship decking line of Trex is on the high end of the price scale, with Fiberon’s flagship line priced at slightly below that.
A comparison of each company’s value-product offering shows a similar match-up, with Trex being priced in the medium range and Fiberon being priced slightly below Trex.
Fiberon vs Trex – Product Choices
When it comes to product choices, Trex does offer more than Fiberon. Both offer multiple lines of decking, as well as a wide variety of styles and color choices. Both companies offer hidden fasteners as well.
Trex offers much more than just decking. They also offer railing, cladding, framing, drainage, deck furniture, fencing and lattice, cornhole boards, outdoor kitchens, outdoor lighting, pergolas, and more.
Trex, however, offers much more than just decking. They also offer railing, cladding, framing, drainage, deck furniture, fencing and lattice, cornhole boards, outdoor kitchens, outdoor lighting, pergolas, and more.
Fiberon, on the other hand, only offers decking, railing, fencing, and cladding.
Alternatives to Fiberon and Trex
While these two companies are some of the most prestigious in the industry, there are other respectable options as well. TimberTech, Cali-Bamboo, Dura-Life, Envision Composite Lumber, CertainTeed EverNew, and Lumberock are all fine alternatives, with some offering products that are made with unique materials or have unique qualities.
Comparing Fiberon vs Trex from Top to Bottom
Both Trex and Fiberon are without a doubt, some of the most respected companies in the composite decking industry. Both make significant contributions to the environment by using mostly recycled materials in all of their products. Fiberon even owns its own plastic recycling plant and recycled millions of pounds of plastic each year.
The lack of product variety offered by Fiberon, however, means that you might only want to use them if you’re just looking for decking, cladding, railing, and/or fencing. Their wide variety of styles and colors does make them a great choice for any of those materials, and they are priced slightly lower than Trex. Both companies are nearly identical when it comes to the durability and weather-resistance of their products, as well as the warranties they offer.
Trex, with its offering of everything from decking to pergolas, furniture, lighting, outdoor kitchens, and drainage, is able to offer you more when it comes to completely transforming your exterior areas. If you’re looking for a more extensive remodeling project including more than just decking or fencing, Trex is the superior option.
However, if you just want a new deck with some railing and maybe some fencing as well, Fiberon is a more cost-effective option that still allows you to maintain a uniform exterior appearance. All in all, both offer stellar products. The choice of which company to go with depends on your needs as well as your budget. In our opinion, it’s hard to go wrong with either.
