Trex vs TimberTech vs AZEK: Composite Decking Brands Compared

Trex is the best-known composite and usually the easiest to keep on budget, TimberTech covers the widest range from entry composite to full PVC, and AZEK is the PVC line now sold under the TimberTech name, which makes it the strongest pick for salt air, pools and heat. For most San Diego decks, the right choice comes down to budget, sun and distance from the ocean.

The Trex vs TimberTech vs AZEK question gets confusing because two of the three names now belong to the same company. This guide sorts out the brands first, then compares them on the factors that actually change a homeowner's decision. For deeper head-to-head detail, we have separate guides on Trex vs TimberTech and Trex vs AZEK.

Who Makes What

Trex is made by Trex Company, based in Virginia, and is the brand most people picture when they hear "composite decking." Its boards are a blend of recycled wood fiber and recycled plastic film, with a protective cap on the outer surfaces. Trex says its boards contain about 95 percent recycled material.

TimberTech belongs to The AZEK Company, which was acquired by James Hardie in 2025. TimberTech sells capped composite boards and also the company's PVC boards.

AZEK started as its own PVC decking brand. Today AZEK boards are sold under the TimberTech name as the TimberTech AZEK, or Advanced PVC, collection. So "TimberTech vs AZEK" is really a comparison between two product families from the same maker.

Product names and lineups change often, so treat the names below as accurate as of late 2026 and check the brand sites before ordering.

Composite vs. PVC: The Real Dividing Line

The biggest difference here is not the logo. It is what the board is made of.

Capped composite (Trex and TimberTech's composite lines) has a core of wood fiber and plastic with a hard polymer shell. It feels a bit like wood underfoot and costs less than PVC.

PVC (AZEK, now TimberTech Advanced PVC) has no wood fiber at all. It does not absorb moisture, weighs less, and generally stays cooler in the sun than composite of a similar color. It also costs more, and it expands and contracts more with temperature.

The Product Lines Side by Side

Lineups as published by each brand. Names and tiers change, so confirm the current collection before you buy.

How the Three Compare

Warranty terms are summarized from each brand's published warranties and vary by line and by residential or commercial use. Read the warranty for the exact product, because labor coverage and transferability differ.

Price: What Changes the Number

Material price per square foot follows the tier more than the brand. An entry Trex board and an entry TimberTech board sit close together. A premium Trex board and a mid-tier AZEK PVC board can also be close. The jump is from composite to PVC, and from entry to premium within each brand.

Installed cost adds framing, hardware, railing and labor, which often outweigh the board price. Hidden fasteners, picture-frame borders and matching fascia raise both material and labor. Our guide to the cost to build a deck in San Diego breaks those pieces down.

Salt Air, Pools and Heat in San Diego

Near the ocean or around a pool, PVC has a real edge. With no wood fiber, there is nothing in the board to absorb salty spray or chlorinated splash. Capped composite still holds up well, and many coastal decks are built with it, but PVC is the safer long-term call within sight of the water.

Inland, heat matters more. Every board gets warm in direct summer sun, and darker colors get hotter. PVC lines and lighter colors are generally the most comfortable. Both TimberTech and Trex market heat-mitigating options on some lines. If bare feet matter, put samples in the sun at 3 p.m. and touch them.

Whichever board you choose, the hardware underneath decides how long a coastal deck lasts. Stainless fasteners and well-coated connectors matter as much as the brand.

Looks and Feel

Trex's premium lines have deep wood-grain textures and multi-tone colors. TimberTech's Pro and Advanced PVC collections lean heavily into realistic, varied grain, and many homeowners find the top TimberTech and AZEK lines the most wood-like. Entry lines from both brands look more uniform.

The best test is in person. Colors shift a lot between a showroom, a phone screen and direct San Diego sun.

Maintenance Across the Three

All three skip the sanding, staining and sealing that wood decks need every few years. That is the main reason people choose them. Day-to-day care is the same: sweep, rinse, and scrub with mild soap and a soft brush a few times a year, then clear the board gaps so water drains.

The differences are small but real. Entry composite boards from Trex and TimberTech show furniture scuffs and pet scratches a little sooner than the premium lines. PVC shrugs off moisture completely, which helps on shaded decks where mildew likes to settle. And on any deck near the ocean, the most important cleaning job is rinsing salt off the hardware underneath, whatever brand sits on top.

Railings, Fascia and Trim

Each brand sells railing systems, fascia boards for covering the rim joist and stair risers, post sleeves and deck lighting. Trex and TimberTech both offer composite and aluminum railings. Because AZEK now sits inside the TimberTech family, AZEK decks usually pair with TimberTech railings and trim.

You do not have to match the railing brand to the decking brand, and some of the best-looking decks mix a composite deck with a black aluminum or cable railing. If you mix, bring a deck sample when you choose the railing color, since "black" and "bronze" vary more than you would expect.

Recycled Content and Sustainability

Trex leans hard on recycled content and says its boards are made from about 95 percent recycled wood and plastic film. TimberTech's composite boards also use recycled material, with the share varying by line, and the company publishes its own figures. PVC is a different material, and its environmental case rests more on long life and low upkeep than on recycled content.

If this matters to you, compare the published numbers for the exact product line rather than the brand as a whole. And remember that any board that lasts 25 years or more without stain or sealer avoids a lot of chemical use compared with a wood deck.

Availability and Lead Times in San Diego

Trex is the easiest to find locally. Big-box stores stock its entry lines, and most lumber yards carry its mid and premium boards. TimberTech's entry Edge line also shows up at big-box stores, while its Pro and Advanced PVC collections come mostly through dealers and lumber yards.

Common colors are usually available within days. Less common colors, longer board lengths and matching fascia can take longer, especially in spring when deck season picks up. Lock in your color early if the timing of your project matters, and ask your builder to confirm stock before demolition starts.

Installation Notes

• All three brands publish their own joist spacing, fastener and gap rules. Most residential boards need joists at 16 inches on center for straight runs and closer for diagonal layouts.
• PVC needs careful end gaps because it moves more with temperature, especially on long boards in full sun.
• Using the brand's own hidden fasteners and following its install guide is usually a condition of the warranty.
• In fire hazard zones, check that the specific line carries a WUI listing before you choose it.

Which One Fits Your Deck

For the full material picture, including redwood, IPE and aluminum, read our guide to the best decking material for San Diego. If you want help choosing, Deck Builder San Diego installs all three brands and can bring samples to your site.

A Simple Way to Decide

If the tables still leave you stuck, run through these steps in order. Most homeowners have a clear answer by step four.

1. Set a total budget for the deck, then ask for quotes that price the same plan in an entry composite, a premium composite and a PVC line.
2. Rule out lines that do not fit your site: anything without a WUI listing if you are in a fire zone, and dark colors if the deck faces west inland.
3. If the deck is near the ocean, around a pool or in heavy shade, give extra weight to PVC.
4. Put samples of your top two or three choices in the sun for an afternoon. Touch them, look at them in morning light, and drag a chair across them.
5. Read the warranty for each finalist, including what it says about installation and labor.
6. Pick the board you will still like in ten years, then spend whatever budget is left on good hardware and framing.

What Doesn't Work

• Choosing a brand from a photo online without seeing the color in your own sun.
• Mixing brands on one deck to save a little money. Colors and textures rarely match.
• Assuming "AZEK" and "TimberTech" are competitors. They come from the same company.
• Spending more on premium boards while skimping on coastal hardware underneath.

The brand matters less than the line, and the line matters less than where your deck sits and how much sun it gets.

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