Business UpdateMay 19, 2026, 12:01 PM
Trex Survey: 78% of Wood Deck Owners Regret Material Choice
AI Summary
Trex Company announced findings from a new national survey by Atomik Research, revealing that 78% of homeowners with wood decks regret their material choice due to ongoing maintenance, durability, and appearance issues. The survey highlights a significant shift in homeowner priorities towards high-performance, low-upkeep materials. Composite deck owners reported higher satisfaction, with 17% experiencing no issues compared to just 4% of wood deck owners, and 70% stating their decks maintained appearance over time. The findings underscore a clear market preference for composite decking, with 39% of wood deck owners indicating they would choose composite for a new deck.
Key Highlights
- 78% of homeowners with wood decks regret their material choice due to maintenance, durability, and appearance.
- 55% of wood deck owners avoid using their decks due to upkeep needs, repairs, or worn appearance.
- 43% of wood deck owners spend over 10 hours annually on maintenance; 76% spend at least $100 annually.
- Top pain points for wood decks include weathering (56%), staining/painting (45%), and fading/discoloration (44%).
- Composite deck owners are nearly four times more likely to report no issues at all (17% vs 4% for wood).
- 70% of composite decks maintain their appearance over time, compared to 50% of wood decks.
- 39% of current wood deck owners would choose composite over wood if building a new deck today.
Price Impact
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