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Trex vs TimberTech

The two biggest names in composite decking, compared tier-for-tier by a tool that sells neither. The spec differences are real but small — the difference you’ll live with is which one looks right on your house.

By Monty, Founder, PaperPlan · Updated July 14, 2026

Try PaperPlan free — render the finished deck on your own backyard photo in about 15 seconds.

Why this page exists

No dog in the fight

Trex’s designer shows Trex; TimberTech’s shows TimberTech. PaperPlan renders both on the same photo of your backyard, so the comparison is finally apples to apples.

Tier-for-tier, not cherry-picked

Comparing entry-line Trex against premium TimberTech (or the reverse) is how marketing wins arguments. We match tiers.

Claims, hedged honestly

Warranty terms and heat claims change by line and year. We state the shape of the truth and tell you when to read the current fine print.

The decision that actually matters

Both brands make excellent boards. Color and grain on your actual house — not spec sheets — is where the choice really gets made.

How it works

  1. Upload a backyard photo. Use any phone photo of the build site. No measurements, no CAD file.
  2. Mark the deck area. Drag to outline where the deck goes. Add stairs or a railing line if you want them.
  3. Choose material and design. Pick composite, PVC, cedar, or pressure-treated. Compare looks on the same photo.
  4. Generate the render and share. Get a photorealistic render in seconds. Send it to the homeowner or attach it to a proposal.

Trex vs TimberTech

Quick answer: tier-for-tier, Trex and TimberTech are closer than either brand’s marketing suggests. Both make capped composite in good/better/best lines at overlapping prices. The real differences: TimberTech caps all four sides of its PRO boards and offers a true PVC tier (AZEK); Trex has the bigger name, the widest distribution, and the most familiar palette. Line by line:

FeatureTrexTimberTech
CompanyTrex Company — invented composite decking in the 1990s, still the biggest name in itThe AZEK Company — TimberTech is its decking brand, spanning composite and PVC
Board constructionCapped composite: ~95% recycled wood-plastic core, polyethylene cap on three sidesCapped composite (EDGE, PRO) with a polymer cap — PRO caps all four sides; AZEK is full PVC
Product linesEnhance (entry) → Select → Transcend → Transcend Lineage (premium)EDGE (entry) → PRO (premium composite) → AZEK (premium PVC, its own tier)
Installed costEnhance $40 – $60 / sq ft; Transcend $55 – $75 / sq ftEDGE ≈$40 – $60 / sq ft; PRO $50 – $70 / sq ft
Fade & stain warranty25 years on core lines, longer on premium — check the current line-by-line terms25 years (EDGE) to 30 (PRO); AZEK PVC carries 50-year fade & stain
Heat underfootDense boards — dark colors run hot in full sun; the Lineage cap is engineered to run coolerComparable on composite lines; the meaningful cool-down is stepping up to AZEK PVC
LooksStreaked, multi-tonal earth palette — the weathered browns and grays everyone recognizesDeeply embossed cathedral grain on PRO Reserve; hardwood-style color blends
AvailabilityThe widest distribution in the category: big-box shelves and pro yards everywhereStrong dealer and pro-channel network; thinner big-box presence
Where it winsName recognition at resale, entry price access, color familiarityFour-sided cap at the PRO tier, grain realism, in-family upgrade path to PVC

The verdict

If a spec sheet decided decks, this comparison would end in a coin flip. What actually decides it: which board’s color and grain sits right against your siding, your light, and your yard. That’s a fifteen-second render on your own photo — do it for both brands before you let either one’s marketing decide.

Common questions

Is TimberTech better than Trex?

Neither is categorically better. Tier-for-tier the boards are comparable; TimberTech’s PRO line caps all four sides and its grain embossing is more pronounced, while Trex counters with wider availability, familiar colors, and the strongest brand at resale. Pick by which looks right on your own house — render both and the answer is usually obvious.

Is TimberTech more expensive than Trex?

Matched tier to tier, no — entry lines from both land around $40–$60 per square foot installed and premium composite lines around $50–$75. Price gaps you hear about usually come from comparing different tiers, or from quoting TimberTech’s AZEK PVC line ($70–$90) against Trex composite.

Does Trex make a PVC board like AZEK?

No. Trex is composite-only across its lines. TimberTech is the one with a true PVC tier — TimberTech AZEK — which is also why cross-brand comparisons get muddled. If you’re weighing composite against PVC, that’s a materials decision before it’s a brand decision.

Which fades less, Trex or TimberTech?

Both are capped boards with fade-and-stain warranties, and both hold color dramatically better than uncapped composite ever did. Premium caps (Transcend, PRO Reserve) hold deep darks longest. The honest test is your sun exposure — and both warranties are prorated documents worth reading before the deposit.

Keep researching

  • Trex vs AZEK — Trex vs AZEK is really composite vs PVC: cost, heat, moisture, warranty, and looks compared by a brand-neutral tool. See both decked onto your own backyard photo before you choose.
  • Trex vs Fiberon — Trex vs Fiberon compared honestly: board construction, installed price, warranties, looks, and availability. Fiberon usually undercuts Trex tier-for-tier — see both rendered on your own backyard photo.
  • Trex vs Deckorators — Trex vs Deckorators is really wood-flour composite vs mineral-based composite: stability, wet traction, water-contact warranties, price, and looks — compared honestly, then rendered on your own backyard photo.
  • TimberTech vs AZEK — TimberTech vs AZEK isn’t brand vs brand — AZEK is TimberTech’s premium PVC line, same company. Here’s what each name means on a board, the real price gap, and how to see both on your own backyard.
  • Best Composite Decking in 2026 — The best composite decking in 2026 by use case. Compare Trex, TimberTech, Fiberon, and Deckorators on price, warranty, heat, and looks — then visualize each on your yard.
  • 12×16 Deck Cost — A 12x16 deck costs $4,800 – $7,700 installed in pressure-treated pine or $8,600 – $13,400 in composite. Why it’s the size contractors quote most, the full material breakdown, and a render on your yard.

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