Is Trex Lighter Than Wood?
Table of Contents
Trex is the name brand of one type of composite wood material. Because of the glue used to hold the fine, sawdust-like grains together, Trex has far different weight characteristics than most comparable decking materials.
Description
Trex and other composites like Practiwood, NewTech and TimberTech are produced by binding waste sawdust together with a virgin PVC or polyethylene adhesive.
Applications
Trex is approved for use in non-structural items like handrails and decking. Trex must be regarded only as a covering when used for decking and applied over a substrate of wood or metal struts.
Trex Density
Trex has a nominal density of 60 pounds per cubic foot for solid boards, and 2-by-2 Baluster Trex is approximately 64 pounds per cubic foot.
Softwood Comparison
Trex weighs approximately twice as much per cubic foot as common softwoods like treated southern pine, cedar and redwood.
Hardwood Comparison
Hardwoods are much denser than softwoods and Trex's weight per cubic foot is nearly the same as oak, applewood or ash.
References
Resources
Writer Bio
Richard Rowe has been writing professionally since 2007, specializing in automotive topics. He has worked as a tractor-trailer driver and mechanic, a rigger at a fire engine factory and as a race-car driver and builder. Rowe studied engineering, philosophy and American literature at Central Florida Community College.
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