The Rose Family's Trex Upgrade: Trex Composite Decking vs. Pressure-treated Wood Decking

How Do You Know When It's Time to Redo Your Deck?

There are a variety of reasons you might need a deck remodel. The Rose family's old wood deck checked nearly every box on the "Should I remodel?" checklist. Let's take a closer look at their main deciding factors.

The Deck Was More of an Eyesore than an Outdoor Oasis

The Rose family loves spending time outdoors, yet their deteriorating wood deck made them want to be anywhere but their backyard. The paint was constantly flaking, the wood was failing, and it felt more like a burden than an extension of their home. Jim Rose tells us, "When you wake up in the morning and look out to see an old wooden deck you know needs replacing, it just made me wake up stressed every day."

The Layout Wasn't Functional for Their Needs

The lack of flow was one of the big dissatisfiers the Roses mentioned about their outdoor space. The deck area needed to be bigger for family gatherings, and the layout prevented a smooth flow from the house to the pool patio area. When hosting, they noticed guests opting for a seat on the deck couldn't interact with those taking a dip in the pool and vice versa. They hoped to have an outdoor space that brought friends and family closer together, but their deck layout did the exact opposite. 

The Deck Required Too Much Upkeep for Their Lifestyle

With one young daughter starting to walk, baby #2 on the way, and two full-time jobs, the last thing the Roses had time for was sanding, staining, and sealing their deck on the weekend. On top of having little time for maintenance, the stain didn't last as long as they expected. 

"They say there's five years of stain resistance, I don't believe it, I would stain every year, and it would just get flaky and splintery," shares Jim. 

Safety Concerns

Topping their list of concerns with their current deck was their ever-increasing safety issues with their current deck. More than 20 years of harsh New England winters and sunbaked summers had taken a toll on their wood deck.

"The integrity of the deck railings was becoming suspect, and the gate leading out to the yard fell completely off as the hinges ripped out of the aging wood," James added.

With a toddler who loves the outdoors, the rickety railings and lack of a gate blocking access to the pool were major concerns. Plus, the wood decking was prone to splintering, which did not bode well with a little one who wanted to run barefoot.

With safety at the forefront of their minds, the decision to remodel their outdoor space was a no-brainer.

Why Build with Trex?

The first step to revamp their outdoor space was research. They wanted to make sure their next deck did not turn into the same time and financial burden their current deck had become.

After carefully researching the benefits of the various decking materials and brands, Jim and Ariel decided to use Trex composite decking for their project. Let's take a closer look at the five main reasons they chose to build with Trex:

Durability & Safety

Unlike wood, composite decking won't rot, warp, or splinter. Plus, their Trex Transcend decking and railings are backed by strong warranties, giving them confidence that their new decking and railing won't fail anytime soon despite the intense Connecticut weather.

As a bonus safety feature, they incorporated the Trex Hidden Fasteners into their design to create a screw-free surface for their deck. With Trex, the Roses could relax while their little one explored the deck without fear of splinters, popped nails, or unreliable railings.

Minimal Maintenance

One of the family's biggest irritations with their wood deck was having to stain it yearly. Despite putting significant time and energy into maintenance, the wood boards still deteriorated and split. It was a massive pro for their family when they learned that Trex composite decking never needs sanding, staining, or sealing. All a Trex deck needs is a little soap and water to keep it looking beautiful for years to come.

"The idea of a composite deck where you never have to stain it, it's clean, you can power wash it, and it's good as new seemed like the perfect way to go," shares Jim.

Customizable Design

Fueled by their aim to create a connected space from their home to the pool, the Rose family knew their vision for their deck was ambitious. They needed materials and a contractor that was up for a challenge.

"We knew we wanted wide staircases to make the space flow properly, and we knew we wanted Trex Transcend® decking," James recalls.

The renovation included the addition of a lower level to the deck, thoughtfully designed to transition smoothly into the pool area. The new multi-level design would provide ample room for family gatherings and activities. At the same time, the seamless integration of the deck with the pool would create a unified, resort-like feel.

The Trex Collection allowed for this ambitious redesign, offering the flexibility to customize their space to match their family's lifestyle and aesthetic preferences. Plus, Trex decking and railings won't fade or stain, ensuring their investment in design will last. We partnered with a local contractor who had experience working with Trex materials. They couldn't wait to get started on their backyard renovation. 

Year-Round Enjoyment

New England's varying climate posed a challenge to spending time outdoors, but the durability of Trex composite decking made it possible for the Roses to enjoy their space year-round.

"Now our daughter can enjoy the outdoors any time of the year. Might not be widely known, but Trex deck is actually great to build snowmen on," James recounts. 

From building snowmen in the winter to poolside fun in the summer, the family can enjoy their outdoor space in every season, no matter what Mother Nature throws their way.

Trusted Recommendations

They say seeing is believing, and for the Rose's, it was the final determining factor for their next deck.

"A few of our friends had used Trex, and it seemed to be the first thing that popped up when we researched decking materials. It was like, alright, I think Trex seems to be the top of the line so that's what we want to go with." shares Jim.

In addition to hearing about their friends' success with Trex, their contractor highly recommended the brand. With builder and owner recommendations, Jim and Ariel felt confident building with Trex.

Turning Backyards into Getaways with Trex

Jim and Ariel stumbled across the Trex Moments Giveaway while planning their deck build. Already sold on building with Trex, they figured, "Why not try?"

Their aspirations became a reality when the Rose family won $10,000 of Trex material. Winning the giveaway allowed the family to move forward with their upgraded design. Ariel explains, "The Trex Moments Giveaway gave us the push to not compromise on our vision. Now we know what we want, and we can go ahead and get it, which was great!"

James and Ariel achieved what they set out to create when they turned to Trex composite decking to renovate their backyard deck. While their old wooden deck required constant upkeep, their new Trex deck is a low-maintenance, peaceful sanctuary where they can relax and enjoy making memories. The Roses' story demonstrates how the durability, beauty and easy upkeep of Trex composite decking can transform an outdoor space - and a family.

Jim recounts how his mindset has completely shifted when he looks out his window every morning, "Now when we wake up and look out there, it's literally like looking at like a resort with the Trex decking down to the pool. That whole weight of stress has been lifted off of us."

Whether you're upgrading your outdoor space or building a deck for the first time, explore Trex's deck planning tools to start your transformation - just like the Roses.

Whether you're upgrading your outdoor space or building a deck for the first time, explore Trex's deck planning tools to start your transformation - just like the Roses.