Installation Guide

9
PLANNING AHEAD
Trex Decking:
» When installing any Trex decking product, especially
Trex Transcend Tropicals, it is a good idea to mix
and match all of the boards on the job site prior to
installation to ensure an appealing mix of light and
dark tones.
» DO NOT combine Trex Select decking with other Trex
decking products. Trex Select boards are thinner
than Transcend and Enhance boards.
Railing (Including ADA Handrail):
» First, pick the railing style you want.
» Calculate your spanning based on the railing you chose.
» Determine the number of balusters you will need
based on the railing you choose.
NOTE: Trex Transcend and Select railings are made
to be installed at maximum of 6' (1.83 m) or 8'
(2.44 m) on center (depending upon type of railing
you choose). Trex railings are not true 6' (72") or
8' (96") in length. Trex Signature railings are made
to be installed at maximum 6' or 8' CLEAR SPAN
BETWEEN POSTS.
»
Determine post locations prior to installing any
decking. In most cases, posts are usually installed
before decking is installed.
» Confirm with your local building official if ADA
Handrail is required, and if so plan spanning for
posts accordingly to allow for attachment of Trex
ADA Handrail. ADA Handrail requires a span of
6' OC for posts.
» Grill placement: A good recommendation to help
prevent damage to your railing is to not have a grill
too close to your railing. Allow for ample airspace
between the back/sides of your grill to help prevent
charring or staining to the railing.
See pages 57–72 for Transcend railing installation, pages
73–104 for Signature railing installation,
pages 114–123 for Select railing installation, and
pages 124–127 for ADA Handrail installation.
Trex Lighting:
» Plan locations of lights, power supply, timer, and
dimmer. These should be accessible for service if
necessary.
» Install wiring before decking and railing have been
installed.
» DO NOT run wires between joists and deck boards.
See pages 12–24 for Trex
® OutdoorLighting
™
installation.
Trex® RainEscape® Deck Drainage System:
» Plan ahead for deck layout to allow for proper
placement of Trex RainEscape within the joist system.
» Make sure joists are straight and square.
See www.trex.com for more information on Trex
RainEscape recommendations and installation. Trex
RainEscape is manufactured and distributed by Dri-Deck
Enterprises, LLC, under a trademark license with Trex
Company, Inc.
Installing Hot Tubs, Planters, and Seating:
» Plan ahead proper joist spanning if required (this is
especially important if installing a hot tub).
» Refer to page 31 for Trex Decking Span Chart for
specifi c loads.
Call 1-800-BUY-TREX for detailed questions.
Installing Fireplaces and/or Fire Pits With Trex
Decking:
» Determine if fi re will be gas or wood burning
(NOTE: Most fi re pits shown in Trex images are gas
burning).
» For gas, the fi re pit is installed by cutting around the
Trex decking. It is not to be installed on top of Trex
decking. A fi re-resistant material is installed under
the fi re pit and a protective “wall” made from stone or
other fi re-resistant material is installed to hold fi re pit
in place and also protect the decking from heat.
» For wood, fi re pits are not recommended on top
of Trex decking unless using a product called
DeckProtect
®*
. Wood-burning fi re pits can damage
the decking due to extreme heat from the bottom
of the fi re pit and/or burning embers “shooting”
onto the decking. DeckProtect
®
was tested on all
Trex decking and there were no issues with burning
of the decking surface when placed directly under
a standard size portable fi re pit along with the
accompanying rack (NOTE: Rack is not available
for all sizes, so check with manufacturer fi rst
for verifi cation). Trex does recommend that the
PLANNING AHEAD
*DeckProtect® is a registered trademark of Infinite Heat Solutions.