Composite decking advice

We have Trex but whoever installed it(previous owner had it done) cheaped out on the proper fasteners and used nails. The nails constantly lift in the summer and have to be hammered down or else you’ll be tripping over them. So use the proper fasteners that go between the boards, they look like tongue/groove clips with screws. If your deck is in direct sun, during peak summer the boards will get hot as hell and you won’t be able to walk on them barefoot. Be mindful of your pets walking on them too.

Wood.  Oil based stain.  But I'm old fashioned.

I’ve seen terrible trex decks with the correct fasteners. Definitely take your time and make sure everything below the trex is perfect.

Just built a deck last summer. We used Trex with the little screw-in clips that go in the grooves. 

Pluses: 

-looks good with the hidden fasteners 

-should last much longer than wood

-no upkeep other than cleaning (no stain, etc).

Minuses:

-Slow AF to install compared to traditional wood decking 

-the clips limit how much you can pry/cheat the gaps to stay on layout 

-the decking is much more flexible than some traditional decking. Make sure you go on tight centers on your joists or you are going to have a squishy feeling deck and there will be visible sagging of the decking between joists. 

My overall takeaway is that whether I would use trex again comes down to how long I plan to keep the home. If I was installing a deck for a year or two of use and to up the resale, I’d probably go wood. If I was planning on being in the home long-term, I’d put up with the installation hassles to get the durability and low maintenance.

Yep, 16" centers for trex doesn't work. 

12" centers.

Another issue, the stuff gouges bad.

Not usually a problem with wooden decks.

But considering the price, not something to overlook. 

It's used a lot on new homebuilds around here. But is usually put down as late as possible, because construction worker wear and tear shows up big time.

I've seen a lot of it replaced before the house even gets a C.O.

I built a wrap around deck with rails and steps for a customer about 10 years ago. The wanted the brown color. It turned grey in less than 2 years. It wasn't Trex it was another brand but basically the same shit. 

Ya'll have about convinced me to go back with wood now.

Is there a sealer or technique that can keep a deck alive out here in soggy east Texas

Not that i have ever heard of. The best thing you can do is cover it completely and keep the rain and sun off of it. I made the mistake of making mine huge. Most of it never got used except for a place to toss toys.. Just make it big enough for a table or two and some chairs and cover it. Pour a slab for everything else. 

Thanks borg

See if anyone in your area can treat it with creosote. It’s what telephone poles are treated with. There’s a company around here promoting a “permanent seal” and I think that’s what they’re using.

As someone who climbed poles for 25 years, not sure if I want my deck smelling like a telephone pole. Would rather use the used motor oil/diesel mixture

No

Wood is the way to go if you could still find some old growth wood. This new growth just does not hold up to the weather, even the cedar does not last like it used to. Even building the frame of decks is getting frustrating, 1/2 inch different in widths, cherry pick and crown the boards and you can still come a few days later and a joist or two will go to crap. Most people are fed up with wood decks and are going to concrete or pavers when applicable.

If you go composite, timber tech has held up pretty good for me. If you go wood in Texas I recommend Ipe. Holds up excellent, absolutely sucks to work with though. 
 

Ipe

Ipe is a great choice, but it’s hardness can be a bit much for some as it dulls bits and blades very quickly.It also tends to grey out over time and lose it “mahogany” look. 

Had one guy get a bunch of Ipe sawdust on his chest and showed up the next day covered in water blisters.

Trex can stain so keep it away from your bbq grill.

Make sure your joists are in good shape, level and not too rotten. Use a good quality screw gun with plenty of power and balance.