Trex versus wood
<p>Trex is asking "why wood?" The American Wood Council offers a counterpoint.</p>
Trex Company is going after the wood lobby with its newest campaign, which asks, quite simply, "why 'wood' you?"
"Why would you ever build with wood?" was the question posed by its statement against the wood decking industry.
As a major manufacturer of wood-alternative decking and railing, Trex has released a series of new videos that feature side-by-side performance comparisons between Trex composite decking and wood decking.
"There are currently more than 40 million wood decks in the US alone that are over 20 years old and in need of repair or replacement. At Trex, we see this as a tremendous opportunity," explained Adam Zambanini, VP marketing. "Since those decks were built, Trex has revolutionized the decking market with a high-performing, low-maintenance and eco-friendly material that is proven to outperform and outlast wood. To aid homeowners in making the Trex decision when it comes time to build or replace a deck or outdoor living space, these new time-lapse videos visually illustrate the long-term advantages of Trex compared to wood decking, conveying the undeniable benefits of Trex high-performance decking."
The "Trex vs. Wood" video series, accessible via YouTube on The TrexCo channel, compares Trex decking to materials like cedar, pressure treated lumber, ipe and redwood.
"These videos make a truly compelling case for composite by showing how Trex deck boards resist fading, staining, scratching and insect damage far better than wood," Zambanini said. "They also reinforce the ultra-low maintenance of Trex decking -- a benefit that resonates with today's homeowners, who would rather spend their time enjoying their outdoor living spaces than maintaining them."
HBSDealer reached out to the American Wood Council for comment. Here's what senior director communications Heather Stegner had to say:
"Wood-framed structures have served the needs of homeowners since the earliest days of construction. Among the many reasons for the success of wood systems, including decks, are that they are easy to build, are often the most cost-efficient alternative, and are made with a renewable resource," she said.
"When properly designed and maintained, wood decks will resist damage caused by moisture and insects and provide a long-lasting, cost-effective, comfortable structure, often with significantly lower environmental impacts. AWC’s Design of Wood Structures for Permanence has recommendations for control of moisture and protection against decay and insect infestation. Many of the recommendations are long-established practice among architects, engineers and builders."
