Differences Between Trex Composite Decking Lines

Trex is the most popular and well-known decking brand in the world, with decades of experience producing decking, railing, lighting and outdoor living products that combine low-maintenance, long-lasting materials with timeless style.

Trex deck boards come in several different lines. We recommend and carry their three best lines: Trex Transcend, Trex Select, and Trex Enhance Naturals. Below, we'll run through the differences between each of the three lines and the variety of looks, colors, and features in each line to help you pick the board that best fits your deck goals.

DecksDirect’s mission is to help you build a better deck by helping you understand all of your deck design options. Here’s a straightforward breakdown of the differences between the different lines of Trex decking so that you can build the confidence to get your project started, and figure out exactly which Trex board is right for your beautiful deck.

If you need more help, please give us a call! You’ll reach a real person with a passion for deck projects who can guide you through the pros and cons of each Trex decking line and make the best recommendations for your project.

Table of Contents:

• What Are The Different Types of Trex?
• Differences Between Trex Decking Lines
• Trex Enhance Naturals - Better
• Trex Select - Better
• Trex Transcend - Best

What Are The Different Types Of Trex?

The Trex decking brand is divided up into four separate composite deck board lines: Trex Enhance Basics, Trex Enhance Naturals, Trex Select, and Trex Transcend.

At DecksDirect, we carry the largest in-stock selection of deck materials you'll find anywhere. That includes stockpiles of Trex Enhance Naturals, Trex Select, and Trex Transcend deck boards. We believe you shouldn't have to compromise your dream deck look based on what's in-stock, so we carry it all. The value of our in-stock selection is that when you order Trex decking from DecksDirect, we've immediately got boots on the ground pulling your boards off the shelves and starting to carefully pack them up on a pallet to ship to your house. We ship 99.4% of our in-stock orders the very next day, so you can start your deck upgrade as soon as possible.

Trex ranks these boards as “better,” “better” and “best” in terms of value within the company’s decking lines.

The Trex Enhance Naturals and Trex Select lines are considered better value levels. Trex Transcend is billed as the best Trex deck line available.

All three Trex lines are composite boards made from 95% recycled materials. Composite decking is strong, durable and low-maintenance, solving many of the problems of traditional wood.

Differences Between Trex Decking Lines

Trex Enhance Naturals - Good

• Lowest cost
• Lightweight scalloped boards
• Textured streaking
• 4 color options

Trex Enhance Naturals are the lowest-cost of the three Trex decking lines we carry. The most unique feature of Trex Enhance boards are their scalloped bottoms. The undersides of Enhance boards are lined with grooves that help make Trex Enhance lighter and easier to transport before and during your deck build.

Trex Enhance decking features a beautiful, authentic wood-grain appearance, including the same textured wood-grain streaking you’ll find on Trex Transcend boards. Enhance boards check in at one inch thick, the same as Transcend and slightly thicker than Select.

All Trex decking boards are made with a protective shell to guard your structure against the elements. That’s why composite decks require far less maintenance and last much longer than their wood counterparts.

The result is a durable, long-lasting board that looks and even feels like real wood. The rich, organic appearance of the boards is backed by a 25-year fade and stain warranty. Trex’s Enhance Naturals line comes in four color options.

Trex Enhance Naturals Colors:

• Coastal Bluff
• Foggy Wharf
• Rocky Harbor
• Toasted Sand

Coastal Bluff Rocky Harbor

Foggy Wharf Toasted Sand

Trex Select - Better

• Lower cost
• 7/8-inch thickness for lighter boards
• Textured wood-grain - looks like painted or stained wood
• 5 color options

Trex Select finds a different way to accomplish the same lighter-weight decking as Trex Enhance. Instead of scalloped bottoms, Trex Select boards shave a tiny bit of the thickness off, checking in at 7/8 of an inch instead of a full inch like Enhance or Transcend.

A lighter board means easier transport. That can save you sweat if you’re installing yourself, or paid man-hours if you’re hiring a contractor to build for you.

The surface of Trex’s Select line has a different look than Enhance or Transcend. Instead of the wood-streaking look, Select features a textured wood-grain look on the surface of the board, without the deeper grooves of Enhance or Transcend. The overall look will resemble tree rings (as seen in the photo above) more so than a straight, linear wood grain.

If you love the classic look of painted or stained wood, then Trex Select is the board for you. It delivers that traditional look, without requiring you to repaint or restain your boards to keep them looking good.

Trex Select is also considered slightly more scratch-resistant than Enhance, and the line comes in one more color. Trex Select’s five color options have a bit more range to them, from the warm, reddish Madeira to the rich, cool Winchester Gray.

Like all Trex deck lines, Select comes with a high-performance shell that prevents water damage, stains, insects and mold. Trex’s 25-year warranty for fading and staining means you’ll get to pick a look you love and rest easy that it will continue to look good for decades to come.

Trex Select Colors:

• Madeira
• Pebble Grey
• Saddle
• Winchester Grey
• Woodland Brown

Madeira Saddle Woodland Brown

Pebble Grey Winchester Grey

Trex Transcend - Best

• Best-quality decking line
• Most (8) color options
• Textured-streaking
• Highest scratch-resistance
• Widest range of looks, including exotic, tropical wood looks

Trex Transcend decking is the best-quality option for both style and function - a true showstopper visually with the highest durability. Trex Transcend boards feature the brand's best scratch-resistance, with a tough outer shell that can handle pet claws and furniture legs without scuffing or scratching.

Transcend decking comes in eight different eye-catching colors. Transcend’s huge color range allows you to reap the low-maintenance, long-lasting benefits of composite decking while matching the looks of even exotic or tropical wood decking.

Trex’s Transcend line features three classic earth tones and five premium tropical colors, including lava rock, island mist and tiki torch. The surface graining is deeper than Trex Select, with realistic ridges in a wood-grain pattern.

Trex Transcend combines eight stunning colors with textured wood streaking for an appealing, natural look. One-inch thick boards are tough and durable, with the three-sided capstock shell that protects all Trex boards from water damage, staining, insects and mold. Trex supports Transcend with its 25-year fade and stain warranty so the brilliant look you choose is the brilliant look you get for years to come.

Trex Transcend Colors:

• Gravel Path
• Havana Gold
• Island Mist
• Lava Rock
• Rope Swing
• Spiced Rum
• Tiki Torch
• Vintage Lantern

Gravel Path Island Mist Rope Swing Tiki Torch

Havana Gold Lava Rock Spiced Rum Vintage Lantern

Trex Transcend Lineage

In 2022, Trex introduced a new line of decking: Trex Transcend Lineage. This is the nicest Trex decking line yet, featuring lighter, trendy colors and the brand's smoothest color mixes.

Trex Transcend Lineage comes in two new colors: the tan-toned Biscayne and the blue-gray Ranier.

If you'd like to learn more or purchase Trex Transcend Lineage decking, give our team a call at 1-888-824-5316.

Learn more about the basics of deck framing and building in our Deck Framing Guide and learn deck parts and terminology in the DecksDirect Glossary of Deck Terms and Lingo.

Browse more deck design and railing style notes to upgrade your backyard space and deck in the DecksDirect Railing Style Guide: the quickest way to learn if your home is more suited for a classic aluminum deck railing or a strong, composite railing line.

The more you know, the better your deck and backyard projects will be! Whether you're looking at a brand new start or a fresh end-of-season deck renovation, give our deck designers a call at 1-888-824-5316 or send us an email at hello@decksdirect.com. Our deck experts will help you get the information, products, and tools you need for an awesome deck completely personalized to your needs!