Trex decking boards typically cost about $2.50-$7.00 per linear foot, with price depending on collection, color, and board profile. A professionally installed composite deck often runs $25-$50 per square foot, before unusual site work; deck size, framing condition, stairs, and railing can move the total substantially.
| Item | Low | Average | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trex deck boards | $2.50/linear ft | $4.50/linear ft | $7.00/linear ft | Board-only estimate across entry-level to premium collections |
| Decking material per sq ft | $5.50 | $9.50 | $15.25 | Approximate coverage based on standard 5.5-inch boards |
| Installed deck | $25/sq ft | $35/sq ft | $50/sq ft | Typical straightforward project with framing and labor |
| 300-sq-ft installed deck | $7,500 | $10,500 | $15,000 | Excludes major structural repairs and complex site work |
What Trex colors cost for a standard deck
For a standard 300-square-foot deck, Trex decking boards alone may cost roughly $1,800-$4,600, depending on collection, board layout, and waste. A complete installed project commonly totals $7,500-$15,000 when it includes ordinary framing, labor, and basic finishing. Stairs, railing, demolition, and upgraded substructure can add substantially to the quote.
Budget about $6-$15 per square foot for Trex boards, not the whole deck. The lower end generally reflects an entry collection and basic profile; premium lines, specialty colors, fascia, and additional cuts push the material budget upward. A 10% waste allowance is common for a simple layout, while diagonal patterns or many angles may require more.
Colors are organized by collection rather than priced as a single color chart. Availability and exact pricing can vary by dealer and market, and a particular shade may be offered in only selected board profiles. Trex colors also look different under direct sun, shade, and nearby house colors, so a physical sample is useful before ordering.
Assumptions: Standard 5.5-inch deck boards, typical U.S. retail pricing, ordinary rectangular layout, and no major framing replacement.
How Enhance, Select, and Transcend prices compare
Trex’s collection is a stronger price indicator than whether a color is light, gray, or brown. The ranges below are planning estimates for grooved or square-edge boards; local quotes may differ with length, stock, finish, and retailer. Confirm the installed product and color name on the written estimate because product assortments change.
| Collection | Example colors | Board price | Approx. material per sq ft | Price notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Enhance Basics | Clam Shell, Beach Dune, Saddle | $2.50-$3.50/linear ft | $5.50-$7.65 | Entry-level capped composite range |
| Enhance Naturals | Coastal Bluff, Rocky Harbor, Toasted Sand | $3.00-$4.25/linear ft | $6.55-$9.30 | Wood-grain appearance; color and dealer stock affect quote |
| Select | Saddle, Pebble Gray, Winchester Gray | $3.25-$4.75/linear ft | $7.10-$10.40 | Midrange option; check current color availability |
| Transcend | Island Mist, Tiki Torch, Havana Gold, Spiced Rum | $4.00-$6.00/linear ft | $8.75-$13.10 | Premium boards with varied color patterns |
| Transcend Lineage | Jasper, Carmel, Biscayne, Rainier | $5.00-$7.00/linear ft | $10.90-$15.30 | Premium color and finish tier; availability varies |
The per-square-foot figures convert board price using approximately 2.18 linear feet of 5.5-inch decking per square foot. They do not include gaps, waste, fasteners, fascia, or framing, so a material takeoff should use the actual board width and layout. A hidden-fastener system can also change the accessories budget.
Which board specs and layout raise the material quote
Deck dimensions are the first major cost driver. At 300 square feet, decking boards could be roughly $1,650-$4,600 before waste; at 500 square feet, the same collection mix could mean about $2,750-$7,650. Larger decks may benefit from simpler installation per square foot, but they still require more boards, framing, and often railing.
Board length and profile matter as well. Longer boards can reduce seams but may cost more or require special ordering. Square-edge boards are often used for picture framing and stair details, while grooved boards accept compatible hidden fasteners. Ask whether the price is for grooved or square-edge stock and whether matching fascia is included.
Color selection can influence the quote through collection, stock, and waste—not just appearance. A popular stocked shade may be easier to source than a less common color, while mixing multiple colors can create extra cuts and leftovers. A simple straight-laid deck may need around 5%-10% extra material; a diagonal pattern or intricate border can require 10%-15% or more.
Structural scope can outweigh the color premium. Replacing sound surface boards over a safe, code-compliant frame costs less than rebuilding the deck structure. If joists are spaced too far apart for the selected product, damaged, or not properly supported, corrections may be necessary before new Trex can be installed. Request the measured joist spacing and repair allowance in the estimate.
Accessories are another variable. Fascia, stair treads, picture-frame borders, hidden fasteners, breaker boards, and matching plugs are priced separately on many quotes. For a 300-square-foot deck, a color border or fascia package can add hundreds to more than $1,000, depending on perimeter length, product, and detail level.
What installation labor adds to Trex decking
Installation labor commonly represents a large share of a complete deck quote. For a straightforward surface replacement, labor may be about $8-$18 per square foot; a new deck with framing, stairs, and railings can put labor and framing work into a higher overall installed price. Rates vary with local wages, access, project complexity, and contractor workload.
A small, uncomplicated deck may take a crew of two or three several days, while a large elevated deck can take one to several weeks. Cutting and fastening boards is only part of the work: crews may need to remove old decking, inspect joists, install blocking, fit fascia, build stairs, and finish railing. Weather and material delivery can extend the schedule.
For example, 50-80 crew labor hours at a combined billing rate of $75-$125 per hour imply $3,750-$10,000 in labor charges before materials and other job costs. Contractors may quote by square foot or as a fixed project total rather than showing hours. The formula is a comparison tool, not a substitute for a measured local bid.
Demolition and disposal are often separate. Removing old deck boards may add about $2-$5 per square foot, with hauling or disposal adding roughly $300-$1,000 depending on volume, access, and local fees. If framing is being reused, the contractor should specify how joist inspection and repairs are handled rather than assuming the frame is sound.
How regional labor changes a Trex deck estimate
U.S. location can shift installed pricing even when the same Trex color and board count are used. In lower-cost rural markets, a basic project may come in about 10%-20% below a national midpoint. Major metro areas and high-cost coastal markets can run 15%-30% above it due to labor, insurance, permitting, access, and overhead.
Climate and site conditions also affect the estimate. In areas with frost-depth requirements, steep slopes, frequent rain, or elevated decks, foundation and framing work may cost more than the boards themselves. A ground-level 300-square-foot rectangle is not comparable to a raised deck with multiple landings, long stairs, or difficult access.
Compare local bids by matching scope, not by comparing headline totals. Check whether each quote includes demolition, disposal, joist repairs, permits, stairs, railing, fascia, and taxes. A lower bid that excludes railing or assumes reusable framing may not be less expensive once missing work is added.
Delivery can create another regional difference. Long boards may require special handling or a delivery fee, and remote addresses may carry a mileage charge. Ask whether materials will be delivered to the driveway or carried to the work area, especially where a narrow gate, slope, or long carry could add labor.
Three Trex deck quotes for different project scopes
These examples show how the same general product category leads to different totals. They are planning scenarios, not fixed national quotes. Each assumes standard access and no unusual permit, foundation, or structural complication.
| Project | Scope and material | Labor assumption | Estimated total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 180-sq-ft surface replacement | Enhance boards, about $6-$8/sq ft; basic fasteners and fascia | 35-50 hours; remove old boards, reuse sound framing | $4,500-$7,000 |
| 300-sq-ft new deck | Select boards, about $8-$11/sq ft; standard railing and stairs | 60-90 hours; new framing and ordinary access | $9,000-$15,000 |
| 420-sq-ft premium deck | Transcend or Lineage boards, about $11-$15/sq ft; border and upgraded railing | 100-150 hours; elevated section and longer stairs | $18,000-$30,000 |
The 180-square-foot replacement example assumes the existing frame passes inspection; replacing joists can add several thousand dollars. The 300-square-foot example includes ordinary structural work but not premium railing or extensive landscaping. The larger example has a higher total because it combines premium boards, more framing, and added detail.
Per-square-foot totals are less useful for intricate projects. Stairs, corners, landings, railing length, and picture-frame borders increase labor without adding much deck area. A contractor should identify the deck square footage and list the quantities for boards, railing, stairs, and fascia separately.
Which price choices save money without sacrificing the deck
Choose the collection before comparing colors, then compare two or three available shades within that tier. Moving from a premium collection to Enhance can reduce board expense, while keeping the same overall deck dimensions and basic layout. Confirm the sample in outdoor light and check that the selected boards are currently available in the required lengths.
Keeping a simple rectangular shape and straight board pattern limits cuts and waste. Avoiding a border, multiple color changes, or elaborate inlays can lower both material use and installation time. For existing decks, reusing framing is a meaningful savings only when joists, posts, ledger attachment, and footings are safe and compatible with the new boards.
Ask for itemized quotes that separate boards, labor, framing, railing, demolition, and delivery. Obtain at least three bids with the same collection, deck dimensions, railing specification, and removal scope. Compare the waste allowance, fastener system, warranty terms, and repair assumptions—not only the total at the bottom of the page.
Ordering all boards from one color lot can help reduce visible variation, while ordering too much creates leftover material and too little may cause delays or a second delivery fee. Have the contractor provide a board count and explain the waste percentage. For a simple layout, question unusually high allowances; for diagonal patterns, ask how the extra material was calculated.
Timing can help when contractors have more availability, but a low-season schedule does not guarantee a lower price. Weather may limit outdoor work, and material availability varies by region. Avoid rushing into a color substitution or accepting an incomplete scope just to meet a start date; a written change order should show the added material and labor charge.
Before signing, verify whether the estimate includes applicable sales tax, permit fees, inspections, and disposal. Permit requirements depend on local rules and deck height, attachment, and structural changes. If the quote excludes them, ask who obtains approvals and whether code-related upgrades are billed separately.