Composite decking has been around for a few decades, so there are several brands which manufacture these special blends of plastic and wood fiber which are specifically designed for decks. But when new names come around, like Trex and Veranda, they tend to create a buzz. It’s therefore understandable for homebuilders and contractors to be curious about the quality of the new brands.
And because they’re both exclusively sold on Home Depot, there’s a chance you’ve seen Trex and Veranda as well.
This review, hopefully, helps you decide which composite decking is the better of the two.
- Trex was originally an innovator when the company decided to create composite decking that used 95% recycled materials into their boards.
- Fiberon developed Veranda based on the company’s composite experience with decking technology, so you can expect Fiberon’s quality to extend to the Veranda boards.
- There are no hidden fees, you know exactly how much you’re going to pay since both Trex and Veranda are sold at Home Depot stores.
- Trex is for consumers looking for a specific look for their decks and Veranda is for builders and homeowners looking for a traditional deck look.
Trex Overview
Trex has been around since 1996 and was launched as a composite decking company in Winchester, Virginia. Of course, if you watch HGTV’s Dream Home, you’ve seen Trex as the show’s composite decking of choice and have watched the team continually create impressive decks.
Trex was originally an innovator when the company decided to create composite decking that used 95% recycled materials into their boards. During this time, many other manufacturers were also mixing plastic with wood fiber and other byproducts to create composite decking, but none were using exclusively recycled materials. Today, Trex recycles more than 400 million pounds of material from landfills and is responsible for recycling 1.5 billion plastic bags every year.
Trex has 4 composite decking collections: TrexTranscend, TrexSelect, Enhance Natural and Enhance Basics.
- TrexTranscend – Transcend provides the largest options of colors and patterns (5 tropical and 3 Earth colors). It is also the most durable line and looks the most like real wood thanks to the wood grain pattern it features.
- TrexSelect – TrexSelect is a cheaper version of Transcend, but with the same wood-grain patterns available in 5 colors. Besides a slightly more limited color selection, TrexSelect is also not quite as scratch-resistant as Transcend.
- Enhance Natural and Enhance Basics – There are less options for the lightweight Essence lines (5 for Natural and 3 for Basics), but these all come in Earthy tones.
Veranda Overview
Veranda is a baby compared to Trex. However, Veranda’s mother company, the North Carolina-based Fiberon is an established name and has been manufacturing decking, railing, fastener, and other deck-building supplies since 1997.
Fiberon developed Veranda based on the company’s composite experience with decking technology, so you can expect Fiberon’s quality to extend to the Veranda boards.
Veranda is available in two solid colors, brown and gray, with a textured top to give the effect of wood grains. Both options are capped on three sides and are available in square profiles.
Trex vs Veranda: Cost Comparison
Trex Transcend and Select are available in 1-inch and 2-inch thickness, while Trex Enhance Naturals and Basics are only available in 1-inch thickness.
All Trex boards can be bought in 12, 16 or 20-feet lengths and they cost (respectively):
- Transcend: $56, $75, $100 for 1-inch and $70, $95, $120 for 2-inch.
- Select:$35, $46, $58 for 1-inch and $50, $60, $85 for 2-inch.
- Enhance Naturals: $35, $46, $58 for 1-inch
- Enhance Basics: $22, $30, $38 for 1-inch
Veranda composite decking is available in either 12-foot or 16-foot boards:
- The 12-foot boards are available as a single board ($20/board), or in packs of 10 ($200) and 56 ($1,300).
- The 16-foot boards cost around $25/board and are available in 56-piece bundles for $1,750.
There are no hidden fees here. You know exactly how much you’re going to pay since both Trex and Veranda are sold at Home Depot stores (and not through third-party installers).
Trex vs Veranda: Warranty Comparison
The warranty terms are comprehensive for both Trex and Veranda.
Veranda is backed by a 25-year stain, fade and performance limited warranty. Meanwhile, all Trex composite decking products come with a 25-year warranty and a labor warranty that is one of the most comprehensive in the world of composite decking.
However, these warranties come at a progressive scale, so the older your decks, the less coverage you’ll be guaranteed. You’ll get 100% protection from the first to 10th year, followed by:
- 80% from 11 to 13 years old
- 60% from 14 to 16 years old
- 40% from 17 to 19 years old
- 20% from 20 to 22 years old
- 10% from 23 to 25 years old
Trex vs Veranda: Durability Comparison
Veranda is able to accommodate heavy furniture and regular foot traffic, thanks to its tensile strength of 262 pounds per square inch.
Trex withstands heavy foot traffic, furniture, drops and bumps just as well as Veranda. The company even publishes material testing on its website. Trex is durable enough to be made into outdoor furniture, benches, shelves and racks, supporting 40 pounds per square foot.
Trex vs Veranda: Scratch and Weather Resistance Comparison
Trex produces highly scratch-resistant composite decking boards that do not easily crack, warp, or tarnish over time. Maintaining Trex boards requires only washing with soapy water twice a year. No need to repaint, sand or restrain.
Veranda boards are equipped by a protective cap, which keeps the snow, rain and sun’s UV rays out of the deck. While it protects your deck from the elements, Veranda boards are not quite as scratch-resistant as Trex.
When it comes to weather resistance, Veranda wins hands down. The protective cap makes Veranda boards a good choice for decks exposed to extreme weather. Trex boards will be more susceptible to moisture and mold.
Trex vs Veranda: Final Thoughts
Both Trex and Veranda are good if you’re looking for mold- and mildew- resistant composite decking. Of course, others (like Trex Transcend and Select) offer better quality and appearances, but those also cost more.
Trex is for consumers looking for a specific look for their decks. This company provides over a dozen color options with varying degrees of “wood look.” And if you support environmentally-friendly companies, Trex has received awards for their eco-conscious business practices.
Veranda is for builders and homeowners looking for a traditional deck look, with affordable options in a premium quality. They’re not fancy, but they have premium features like hidden fasteners during installation or pre-finished capping that leave your deck looking luxurious.
