If you are researching composite decking for your Central Iowa home, then you have probably come across two major brand names: TimberTech and Trex. Both TimberTech decking and Trex decking are strong products backed by solid warranties, and both will outperform wood over the long run. The question is which one fits your property, your climate, and your priorities.
Archadeck of Central Iowa is a certified TimberTech Pro. That’s because it is our preferred brand to work with based on our experience building decks in the weather conditions of Iowa. But the truth is: both TimberTech and Trex are good brands with slightly different use cases. We’ll discuss both in this comparison guide.
What TimberTech Decking Offers
TimberTech is one of the few brands that provides both capped composite and Advanced PVC decking. With PVC boards, there is no wood filler at all. Any moisture that intrudes into the material has nowhere to go, which in a state where freeze-thaw cycles try to break down outdoor structures from November to March, is a big structural advantage.
TimberTech’s Advanced PVC line stays up to 30°F cooler underfoot than standard composites. When wet, it offers up to 40% better traction than other surfaces, making it ideal for lake and pool decks. The color range is also among the widest in the industry, with 40 options that lean into realistic, multi-tonal wood grain.
The warranties are generous as well. The Advanced PVC line, in particular, has a Lifetime Limited Product Warranty and a 50-Year Fade and Stain Warranty. The PRO and EDGE composite lines sit at mid-range and value price points, but still carry strong protection.
What Trex Decking Offers
Trex has been in the deck industry for decades, and you can find it just about anywhere. The pricing is competitive, and the environmental credentials are strong. Trex decking is made from 95% recycled materials, including reclaimed wood and plastic film. That is the highest recycled content in the industry.
The brand recently expanded into PVC with its Trex Refuge line, so the old belief that “Trex is composite only” no longer holds. Their top collections come along with a 50-Year Limited Residential Warranty as well as Fade and Stain protection.
Why Your Composite Decking Decision Starts with Your Builder
TimberTech and Trex both make good decking products. When it comes to making a choice for your deck, the deciding factor, much of the time, will be the conditions your deck will face. Aside from that, the other largely important factor in your deck’s longevity will be build quality. Decking of any kind performs at its best when the substructure is right, the fastening system matches the board, and the expansion gaps account for your local climate. If any of these factors are handled improperly, the boards can buckle, gap, or wear unevenly. This is true no matter the brand name on the board.
Archadeck of Central Iowa recommends TimberTech decking because we have seen how it performs across the hot summers and cold winters of Iowa over many years of building. Around here, it’s hard to beat the moisture resistance of the Advanced PVC line. Winter is marked by deep freezes and short thaws, and material that resists moisture intrusion is far less likely to break down. The other big piece is that the heat reduction keeps boards cooler underfoot on the hottest days of July.
If you are curious about how these materials hold up over time, we have addressed several common concerns in our post on composite decking myths. You can also browse the composite deck gallery to see what these materials look like in finished projects across central Iowa.
Let’s Build Something Beautiful, Together
It would be our distinct pleasure to meet with you for a complimentary design consultation. Call Harold Cross and his team at (515) 203-8734, or
contact us using our online form.
