Trex vs. TimberTech vs. Azek: which composite decking wins in Florida (2026)

Trex, TimberTech, and Azek all sell composite decking with 25-50 year warranties. The brochures look identical. Five years in our climate, they are not. Here is the side-by-side we use when a customer asks us to pick.

What "composite" actually means

Trex and TimberTech AZEK Reserve / Edge are wood-plastic composite — recycled HDPE plus wood flour, capped with a PVC shell. Azek (and AZEK Vintage / Cortex) is cellular PVC — no wood content at all, just structured plastic. The difference matters in Florida because wood content holds moisture and the plastic shell either holds up to UV or it does not.

Heat retention — the Florida killer

Dark composite gets hot. We have measured 158°F on a black Trex board at 2 pm in July. The same Azek board next to it: 138°F. Lighter colors close the gap; in light gray all three brands come in around 115-125°F.

• Coolest in dark colors: Azek (pure PVC reflects more IR).
• Hottest in dark colors: Trex Transcend (the wood flour absorbs heat).
• In light colors: all three are walkable barefoot.

Color fade — what the warranty does not cover

All three warrant against "significant fade" — and define "significant" as a Delta-E shift greater than 5 over the warranty period. Most customers notice fade at Delta-E 2-3, which is well below the warranty trigger. Translation: visible fading does not mean you get a replacement.

In our 5-year side-by-side on a south-facing Orlando deck, the rank order:

• Best fade resistance: Azek Vintage (no wood content, deepest UV inhibitor package).
• Middle: TimberTech AZEK Reserve (light wood content, full PVC cap).
• Worst: Trex Enhance (entry-level Trex line). Trex Transcend is on par with TimberTech.

Scratch + dent resistance

Dragging a patio chair across composite leaves a mark on all three brands. The mark is most visible on Azek (because the color is uniform through; the scratch shows depth). The wood-composite brands hide scratches slightly better.

If you have dogs and they drag toys across the deck, lean composite. If you have heavy furniture you slide around for cleaning, Azek wins on look.

Warranty fine print

All three offer 25-50 year limited warranties on the material. Watch for:

• Labor. Trex covers labor for the first 10 years on Transcend. TimberTech is product-only. Azek covers labor for the first 5.
• Transferable. Trex transfers to a second owner once. TimberTech transfers once. Azek does not transfer.
• Installation requirement. All three require approved fastener systems (hidden clips). Use a face screw and the warranty is void.

Cost (installed, Orlando 2026)

• Trex Enhance: $55-$65 / sq ft. Entry composite.
• Trex Transcend: $70-$85 / sq ft. Their flagship.
• TimberTech AZEK Reserve: $75-$90 / sq ft.
• Azek Vintage: $85-$100 / sq ft. The premium tier.

What we actually install

Our default for an Orlando primary deck is TimberTech AZEK Reserve in a light or medium color. Best fade resistance for the price, walkable barefoot in summer, hidden clip system that hides the fasteners cleanly. If a customer wants the absolute best, we go Azek Vintage. If the budget is tight, Trex Transcend over Trex Enhance — Enhance is sold at warehouse stores and the cap is thinner.

Pick the wrong composite and you live with the heat / fade / scratch profile for 30 years. We are happy to bring samples to your house so you can put them in the actual sun your deck will see. Just ask.