Don’t let the pricing of your new deck floor you. Our simple Trex deck price guide will help you to make informed choices.
If you’re thinking about installing composite decking, Trex deck products are unmatched. It’s the best-known composite material that’s available. To give you a better idea of its popularity, they contribute to about 40% of the composite market making them the leading provider of composite materials.
Though, as you would expect, it does come at a cost. It’s more expensive than hardwood timber, but it offers many advantages too. All things considered, they’re a great investment. Continue reading to find out how it compares to timber decking and what you can expect to pay for it on average.
What’s Trex deck?
Trex® deck is a type of composite decking that is sustainably manufactured in the USA. The company formed in 1996 and is regarded as the world’s number one decking brand. In fact, they were the first company to combine reclaimed wood’s natural beauty with recycled plastic’s durability. The result – a high-performance decking product that can be used for a wide variety of outdoor uses.
It’s made up of 95% recycled materials. In addition to plastic, its composition also includes timber, sawdust, and wood grain fillers. It also offers great customization and is available in a number of colors to complement the current style of your home.
Trex vs. timber decking
Trex decking products have several advantages over real timber. So, it’s really worthwhile to explore timber-alternative products for your decking project.
For starters, unlike timber, Trex offers natural resistance to scratches and stains. This includes protection against the elements. Plus, it’s also termite-proof!
Secondly (and this is a major benefit in this day and age), it’s much kinder to the environment. As mentioned earlier, as much as 95% of its composition uses recycled materials. Instead of cutting down new trees, it uses unwanted timber like sawdust.
Not only does it use reclaimed wood and recycled plastic, but they also ensure that their manufacturing processes are greener by using a sustainable supply chain. All their supply vendors operate ethically and responsibly.
But it doesn’t stop here. The company also works with other US Green Building Council members to see where they can change the building industry to create more environmentally friendly spaces.
Factors that impact the cost of composite decking
If going the Trex route makes the most sense for your building project (it certainly does from an environmental point of view), there are a few things that you need to keep in mind that could impact its affordability. In short, professional designers and installers base their estimates on the size and time.
While it won’t come as a surprise that a bigger deck will cost you more, you might not have realized that design details can also bump up the price. So, when planning your decking, keep in mind that you’ll need more Trex decking for edging and to achieve other fancy finishes. So, if cost is a major concern, rather opt for straight sections instead of intricate curved designs.
Not only will you need more material, but extra elements like edging and fascia will also require more time to design and install. And, as you know, time is money.
The costs of Trex composite decking in Sydney
So how much does Trex cost? Depending on your unique design, you’re looking at paying anything between $207 – $230 a square metre for the deck boards themselves.
You’ll also need to keep in mind labor and installation. This can vary quite a lot based on the design, location and substructure requirements of your deck.
If your deck is low to the ground and the substructure could be at risk of rot, you need to consider using either h4 low deck timber (specially designed for low decks and with a 40+ year warrant) or aluminium or steel substructures.
These add a premium to the cost of your deck but will give you peace of mind as you won’t have to spend countless thousands of dollars repairing the deck over the years.
If termites are a concern in your location, you can rest easy knowing that Trex decking is not affected by them. The substructure though, could be a problem. In this case, you would be better off going to aluminium or steel. If your installer or builder suggests that treated pine is fine in a termite area, you may want to consider using another installer.
A Trex deck deck that is properly constructed using the correct materials will cost about $700 and upwards a square metre – just remember thats subject to any special requirements your project may have.
You should expect the deck to last 25 years or more without requiring any major repairs over that time.
Special requirements include things like:
- how difficult it is to access the site
- Does it need special substructure
- Is it located on a severely sloping site
- Does the area need drainage
- Is it a multi level deck
- What sort of stairs, steps or staircases are needed
- Do you want some special features like planter boxes, storage areas, built in/outdoor kitchens and so on.
- and much more
It’s a good idea to get a very detailed quote with all the things you want included. That way you’ll be able to sit down with your installer or builder to see how you can fit it into your budget.
In fact, Trex is the most affordable composite decking solutions available. The table below shows how it compares in terms of price to other types of composite decking in Sydney:
| Material | Average cost per square meter before waste and fasteners |
| Trex | $207 |
| Azek | $190 – $339 |
| Millboard | $334 – $422 |
What about the maintenance costs, you ask? Surely, you’ll need to pay to buy advanced staining solutions and other products to keep this modern decking material looking great.
While Trex cost will initially work out more expensive than timber, it’s actually very cost efficient. You see, it requires no regular maintenance. This means that you don’t have to worry about sanding, painting, or oiling. After you’ve installed your Trex deck, there’s basically no maintenance costs. To clean your Trex boards, all that you need is soap, water, a soft bristle brush, and some elbow grease.
Finding an installer for your Trex deck
Considering that labour and installation can add up very quickly, you’ll want to ensure that you partner with a professional installer who will bring justice to your design and material. Ideally, you’ll want to work with an installer who has a minimum of five years of building experience in Sydney. Organizing permits and ordering material can lead to headaches before the building project has even started. So, it’s best to work with someone who is familiar with the building requirements in your area.
Another indication of their level of skill is the previous projects that they’ve completed. By taking a look at their portfolio, you’ll get a better idea for their style.
If you like what you see, you can then ask the following more direct questions to narrow down your shortlist to the one:
- Do you have any client references or testimonials?
- How long does a typical project take to complete?
- Do you order all the materials or will I need to order it myself?
- What warranties or guarantees do you offer?
- Will you take care of any permits or permissions required?
- Who will be responsible for waste removal?
Call us on 0413 185 735 for a full list of questions that you may find useful to ask your installer.
Go Trex with UrbanArch decking
Composite decking, like Trex, might require more upfront investment than timber, but its cost efficiency helps to make up for it. The fact that it requires minimal maintenance to retain its pristine looks is just one of the reasons why it’s such a popular choice among busy homeowners across Sydney and surrounding areas.
After all, when you’re planning that repair or renovation project that you’ve dreamed about for so long, the cost of your Trex preferred decking board cost shouldn’t be the only deciding factor. Durability, maintenance, customization options, and sustainability should also be considered. In fact, considering the impact that climate change has on Australia and the rest of the world, can you really afford not to invest in a product like Trex that uses more than 90% recycled products?
If you feel that Trex decking is worth the extra cost, be sure to contact the UrbanArch Building team. The experienced pros at UrbanArch can also help you to design a deck that makes the best use of your space and reduce wastage. We’re one of the leading providers and installers of Trex decking. Call us on 0413 185 735 or complete our enquiry form for a fast, free quote today.
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