Trex vs TimberTech Calculator
The decision tool for composite/PVC deckers — pick any Trex line (Enhance Basics, Enhance Naturals, Select, Transcend, Signature) against any TimberTech line (Composite EDGE, TERRAIN+, LEGACY, AZEK Harvest/Vintage/Landmark, Advanced PVC Vintage). 9-dimension scoreboard: installed cost · 25-yr TCO · fade/stain warranty · expected lifespan · heat retention · board weight · color count · recycled content · made-in. Built on 2026-Q1 retail (Lowes/HD) + manufacturer technical data. Recommendation engine breaks ties on TCO. Pairs with the Composite Deck Cost Calculator (multi-brand BoM) and Composite vs PVC Calculator (material-class comparison).
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Head-to-head
Trex Transcend vs TimberTech AZEK Vintage · 192 sqft · PA (Northeast, 1.22× labor)
Wins on 25-yr TCO by $1,253 — install + maintenance. 25-yr fade/stain warranty vs 30 for TimberTech AZEK Vintage.
Caveat: PVC alternatives like TimberTech AZEK Vintage run cooler and are 25% lighter — pick PVC if your deck gets midday sun + pool/coastal exposure.
- Install
- $15,354
- $/sqft
- $80
- 25-yr TCO
- $15,642
- Wins
- 4 dim
- Install
- $16,703
- $/sqft
- $87
- 25-yr TCO
- $16,895
- Wins
- 4 dim
9-dimension scoreboard
| Dimension | Trex | TimberTech | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
Installed cost (this deck) Real 192-sqft project with railing and 4 stairs in Northeast. | $15,354 | $16,703 | Trex |
25-yr total cost of ownership Install + 25 years of low-maintenance washing/cleaning. Composite + PVC both negligible maintenance vs PT. | $15,642 | $16,895 | Trex |
Fade & stain warranty Limited warranty against fading + staining beyond agreed levels. Both transfer with the home for 1st sale. | 25 years | 30 years | TimberTech |
Expected real lifespan Estimated real-world service life based on field data + AZEK Co/Trex marketing claims. PVC lines typically outlast composite by 10-15 yrs. | 30 years | 40 years | TimberTech |
Heat retention (vs PT, °F) Surface temp on a sunny 90°F afternoon. PVC lines run noticeably cooler than composite; dark colors retain more heat regardless of brand. | +16°F | +9°F | TimberTech |
Board weight Lighter = easier to install + lower load on substructure. PVC lines are ~25% lighter than composite at same dimensions. | 5.95 lb/sqft | 4.1 lb/sqft | TimberTech |
Color/texture options Number of stocked colors at retail. More choice = better match to siding/trim, but not all colors stay in production long-term. | 13 colors | 7 colors | Trex |
Recycled content Trex famously uses 95% recycled wood/plastic in composite lines. TimberTech composite is ~80% recycled; AZEK PVC ~55% (recycled vinyl content). | 95% | 55% | Trex |
Made in Both brands manufacture in the USA. Trex: Winchester VA + Fernley NV. TimberTech (AZEK Co.): Wilmington OH + Scranton PA. | Virginia, USA | Ohio, USA | Tie |
| Total dimension wins | T 4·TT 4·tie 1 | ||
Tolerances applied: $50 cost delta, 1-yr warranty, 1-yr lifespan, 1°F heat retention, 0.2 lb/sqft weight, 1 color count, 5% recycled content. Smaller gaps register as ties. Made-in is treated neutral (both brands USA-manufactured).
Cost breakdown (high estimate)
| Line item | Trex | TimberTech |
|---|---|---|
| Boards (waste +8%) | $4,049 | $4,298 |
| Hidden fasteners | $163 | $163 |
| PT framing substructure | $1,440 | $1,440 |
| Brand-matched railing | $2,600 | $3,600 |
| Stairs | $980 | $980 |
| Labor (Northeast 1.22×) | $4,451 | $4,451 |
| Project install | $15,354 | $16,703 |
| 25-yr maintenance | $288 | $192 |
| 25-yr TCO total | $15,642 | $16,895 |
Materials breakdown applies +8% lumber waste. Labor uses $14-24/sqft composite-install band × 1.22× regional multiplier. Both scenarios use identical PT pressure-treated substructure (joists/ledger/posts); brand differences are board, fasteners, and brand-matched railing. 2026-Q1 retail.
How to use
Three steps. Permit-ready output.
- 01
Enter your deck size + region
Length × width in feet, plus shape (rectangle or L-shape — L-shape applies a 0.85 area factor + 1.10 complexity premium on perimeter). 2-letter state code drives regional labor pricing (Northeast 1.22× / West 1.28× / South 0.92× / Midwest 1.00× national baseline).
- 02
Pick a Trex line
5 lines from cheapest to most expensive: Enhance Basics ($3.50/lf, 3-side cap, scalloped — 3 colors) → Enhance Naturals ($4.50, wood-grain) → Select ($5.95, 4-side cap, contractor grade) → Transcend ($8.95, 13 colors, premium grain) → Signature ($11.50, mineral-reinforced polymer, 50-yr warranty). Lines align roughly with deck size + ownership horizon — Enhance/Select for budget builds, Transcend for forever-home premium, Signature for PVC-class luxury.
- 03
Pick a TimberTech line
7 lines split across 3 collections: PRO composite (EDGE entry, TERRAIN+ mid, LEGACY premium — $3.95-7.95/lf), AZEK PVC (Harvest entry, Vintage flagship, Landmark reclaimed-look — $8.50-10.95/lf), and Advanced PVC (Vintage top — $13.50/lf, 50-yr warranty). The AZEK PVC line is TimberTech's structural advantage — full-PVC core that runs 9°F cooler underfoot than capped composite and weighs 25% less.
- 04
Scope the project
Toggle railing (proprietary brand kits, $65/lf composite or $90/lf premium PVC), set stair count, pick TCO years (5-50). 25-yr is the industry-standard ownership horizon. The calc applies 10% lumber waste, 8% project contingency, and accounts for $0.03-0.10/sqft/yr cleaning maintenance.
- 05
Read the recommendation
9-dimension scoreboard: install cost · TCO · warranty · lifespan · heat retention · weight · color count · recycled content · made-in. Tie-breaker is TCO when scoreboard is within 1. Recommendation card adds a caveat for the loser when their distinctive strength (cooler/lighter PVC, denser composite feel, higher recycled content) is meaningful.
How we calculate
The math, fully transparent.
The Trex vs TimberTech Calculator is the brand-vs-brand decision tool — pick one Trex line (Enhance Basics, Enhance Naturals, Select, Transcend, Signature) against one TimberTech line (Composite EDGE, TERRAIN+, LEGACY, AZEK Harvest/Vintage/Landmark, Advanced PVC Vintage) and get a head-to-head readout on installed cost, 25-yr TCO, warranty, lifespan, heat retention, weight, color count, recycled content, and made-in claim. Built on 2026-Q1 manufacturer specs + HD/Lowes retail pricing, with a dimension-by-dimension scoreboard and a recommendation tuned to your scope. Pairs with the Composite Deck Cost Calculator (multi-brand BoM) and Composite vs PVC Calculator (material-class comparison).
IRC references
- ASTM D7032 — Standard spec for plastic + composite deck boards (load + dimensional stability)
- ICC-ES AC174 — Acceptance Criteria for deck-board systems — both Trex + AZEK products certified
- IRC 2021 R301.4 — 40 psf live load on residential decks
- IRC 2021 R507.4 — Composite deck-board spans (24″ o.c. typical for square-edge boards)
- IRC 2021 R312.1.2 — Guardrail 36″ min height — both brands' railing kits meet at 36″ + 42″
2026-Q1 retail pricing at Lowes + Home Depot. Trex Enhance Basics $3.50/lf, Enhance Naturals $4.50, Select $5.95, Transcend $8.95, Signature $11.50. TimberTech EDGE $3.95, TERRAIN+ $6.50, LEGACY $7.95, AZEK Harvest $8.50, AZEK Vintage $9.50, AZEK Landmark $10.95, Advanced PVC Vintage $13.50. Hidden fastener clips $0.85/sqft. PT substructure $7.50/sqft. Brand-matched railing $65/lf composite / $90/lf premium PVC. Stairs $245/step. Labor $14-24/sqft × regional multiplier (Northeast 1.22 / West 1.28 / South 0.92 / Midwest 1.00). Maintenance $0.03-0.10/sqft/yr cleaning.
Same engine for both: board LF = area / 0.458 × 8% waste, then board × line $/lf + $0.85/sqft hidden clips + $7.50/sqft PT substructure + brand-matched railing ($65-90/lf) + $245/step stairs. Labor $14-24/sqft (composite/PVC install) × regional multiplier. 8% contingency on the high side. Trex Transcend at $8.95/lf → AZEK Vintage at $9.50/lf is ~6% more board but similar all-in once labor + substructure factored.
Both brands need almost no maintenance — just periodic washing with mild soap + soft brush (Trex/AZEK both publish identical care instructions). Annual maintenance budgets: $0.03-0.10/sqft/yr depending on tier. Over 25 years on a 192 sqft deck, that's $145-480 total — tiny vs PT's $4,000+ stain/seal schedule.
Both brands publish heat-retention data measured at 90°F ambient, direct sun. PT averages 105°F (delta +15). Trex Enhance hits ~127°F (delta +22), Trex Transcend ~106°F (delta +16). AZEK PVC Vintage hits ~99°F (delta +9). PVC's mineral-reinforced core absorbs less radiant heat. Dark colors add 6-10°F regardless of brand — pick light/neutral if midday sun is a constant.
Lifespan estimates above warranty: Trex composite 25-30 yrs (Enhance: 25, Transcend: 30). Trex Signature polymer: 40 yrs. TimberTech composite 25-30 yrs. AZEK PVC 35-42 yrs based on 30-yr field installs. Advanced PVC 45 yrs. Real-world dependent on UV/coastal exposure + cleaning discipline.
9 dimensions evaluated. Cost/heat/weight → lower wins. Warranty/lifespan/colors/recycled → higher wins. Made-in is neutral (both USA). Tolerances applied so trivial differences ($25 install delta, 1-yr warranty) don't flip the winner. Overall recommendation = majority of dimensions; ties broken by TCO.
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