I posted an earlier message about this, but didn't get many responses, especially from owners of Trex decks. So I'll try again.
We're planning on having a deck built from either Trex or WeatherBest composite decking.
I'm interested in hearing from people who have tried either of these two products.
One contractor told us to avoid Trex because mold and mildrew grows on it more than on other composite materials, and thus it needs to be cleaned with a mold or mildew remover 2-3x a year. However, Trex's Web site says as long as you hose down the deck periodically, and keep it clean from pollen and other debris, then you won't get mold.
I'm also concerned about fading. We're looking at the light brown colors that simulate the look of wood. Seems like both composite products say they will fade, but because the inside of the WeatherBest decking is the same darker color as the outside, I'm guessing it won't fade as much as the Trex, which has a darker outer coloring and a lighter inside color. Which product will fade less, and how much do these products typically fade? And because the WeatherBest is the same color throughout, I'm guessing it doesn't show scratches as much ... is that correct?
Lastly, this deck will be high up, so we need a good, sturdy railing. We'd prefer to have the railing match the decking and be made out of the same material, but some contractors have told us that we should only use wood for the railings because the man-made composite materials are not sturdy and durable enough. However, other contractors have said the Trex and WeatherBest railing systems are much better now, and that they should work find.
Any advice or suggestions as to which composite decking and type of railing you'd recommend would be appreciated -- especially from those who have decks made from either of these two products. Thanks in advance for your help!!