TimberTech, Trex and Deckorators are the three composite brands we install most in Utah County and Salt Lake County. All three make good boards. The differences show up in how the boards are made, how they handle our sun and snow, and how they look and feel underfoot. We’re a certified Pro Installer for all three, so we don’t have a reason to push one brand for the wrong job. Here’s how we explain them to homeowners.
How the boards are built
TimberTech makes two main families. The Advanced PVC boards (sold under the TimberTech AZEK name) are all synthetic, with no wood fiber in the core. The composite boards (TimberTech PRO and EDGE) have a wood-and-plastic core wrapped in a protective cap. Both families come in several collections, from straight-grain colors to wide, multi-tone boards that look like reclaimed or hand-scraped wood.
Trex makes capped composite boards from recycled plastic and wood fiber. The lines step up from basic, solid-color boards to higher-end boards with more color variation and a tougher cap.
Deckorators makes capped composite boards, and some of its lines use a mineral-based core instead of wood fiber. That core is designed to resist moisture and to move less with temperature changes.
Sun and heat at altitude
Utah sun is strong, and a south- or west-facing deck takes a beating every summer afternoon. All three brands cap their boards to resist fading and staining, and the higher lines generally hold their color better.
Heat is the bigger question. Any synthetic board gets warmer than wood in direct sun, and darker colors get hotter than lighter ones. In our experience TimberTech’s Advanced PVC lines stay noticeably cooler than most composites in the same color, which is one reason we lead with them on exposed decks. If you have kids or dogs on the deck barefoot, a lighter PVC board, a pergola or covered roof, or both, make a real difference.
Snow, ice and freeze-thaw
Our winters bring snow on the deck for weeks at a time, and spring and fall freeze and thaw almost every night. Wood-based cores can absorb a little water at cut ends and fastener holes. PVC and mineral-based cores absorb almost none, so they stand up to freeze-thaw especially well.
All three brands handle a plastic snow shovel just fine. Check each manufacturer’s care guide for which ice melt products they approve.
Expansion and gapping
Synthetic boards expand and contract with temperature, and Utah swings a lot between a January morning and a July afternoon. Each brand publishes its own gapping and fastening rules for different lengths and temperatures. Following them is what keeps butt joints tight in summer and keeps gaps from opening up in winter. It’s also a condition of the warranty.
Looks and colors
This part is personal. TimberTech has the widest range of colors and textures, including the French White Oak, English Walnut and Pecan you’ll see in a lot of our project photos. Trex has a strong lineup of classic grays and browns, like the Pebble Grey on our Lindon project. Deckorators offers bold, natural-looking grain patterns.
Two-tone decks, with one color in the field and another for a picture-frame border, work with any of the three. The Draper deck pairs TimberTech Slate Gray with a Brownstone border. Browse more in our decking colors guide.
Warranty coverage
Every brand offers a material warranty against fading, staining and structural defects, and the length depends on the product line. Check the manufacturer’s warranty for the specific board you’re considering.
What matters more than the number on the box is who installs it. Because we’re a certified Pro Installer for TimberTech, Trex and Deckorators, we can offer manufacturer-backed labor and material warranty coverage on qualifying projects, on top of our own 7-year workmanship warranty. A homeowner who hires an uncertified installer usually gets the material warranty only.
Which one should you choose?
Here’s the short version of what we tell people on the phone:
- Hot, exposed deck or barefoot family: TimberTech Advanced PVC in a lighter color.
- Classic look on a tighter budget: a Trex or TimberTech composite line.
- Specific color or grain you love: pick the board you like, then we’ll talk through how it handles your sun exposure.
If you can, look at board samples outside in your own light before you decide. Once a job is booked, we create a 3D rendering so you can see your chosen colors on your house before we build.
See our composite deck options, or contact us for a free estimate over the phone.