Think about what a wood fence really costs. Not just the lumber and installation — the weekends. The sanding, the staining, the sealing. The warped boards to replace, the rusted nails to hammer back down, the repainting every few years just to keep it from looking tired. A fence is supposed to protect your time outdoors, not consume it. That’s the promise behind Trex® composite fencing: all the warmth and beauty of a wood fence, with virtually none of the work. Here’s what “maintenance-free” actually looks like — and why it’s not too good to be true. No Painting. No Staining. No Sealing. Ever. The color in a Trex fence isn’t a coating that sits on the surface waiting to peel, chip, or flake. Pigment is infused throughout the composite material during manufacturing, so the rich, natural tone you choose is built into every picket — permanently. There’s no finish to maintain, which means the brushes, rollers, sprayers, and cans of stain stay at the store. In fact, Trex takes it a step further with an intentional over-pigmentation process: extra color is infused during manufacturing so that as the fence naturally weathers, its ideal shade emerges. Instead of fighting the aging process every few years, a Trex fence is designed to get better with it. Built to Shrug Off What Destroys Wood Wood fences fail for predictable reasons — moisture, insects, sun, and time. Trex composite fencing is engineered to resist all of them: Rot and moisture damage. Made from roughly 95% recycled wood fibers and plastic film, the composite material doesn’t absorb water the way wood does. No rot, no swelling, no soft spots at the base of the pickets. Insects. Termites and carpenter ants see a wood fence as lunch. They have no interest in composite. Splintering and cracking. Trex won’t dry out, split, or splinter — a welcome difference for households with kids, pets, and bare hands on the gate latch. Warping and gapping. The interlocking picket design keeps boards aligned through seasons of expansion and contraction, so you’re not staring at crooked boards and widening gaps a few years in. Harsh weather. Trex fencing is engineered for serious conditions, standing strong through high winds, driving rain, snow, and intense sun that would leave a wood fence bleached and brittle. The Entire Maintenance Routine: A Rinse Here’s the honest fine print on “maintenance-free”: if your fence gets dusty or picks up grime near a road or garden, you clean it with soap, water, and a soft brush — or often just a pass with the garden hose. That’s the whole routine. No annual inspection checklist, no repair budget line, no rented power washer and lost Saturday. Compare that to wood, which typically demands repainting, restaining, and repairs every 3–5 years to stay presentable. Over the life of a fence, that’s not just hundreds of hours — it’s thousands of dollars in materials and labor that a Trex fence simply never asks for. Low Maintenance That Lasts Decades A maintenance-free fence only matters if it also endures — and Trex is designed to last at least 25 years, far outliving the average wood fence. It’s backed by a 25-year limited residential warranty, so the beauty you invest in is protected for the long haul. And this durability comes with a lighter footprint, not a heavier one: Trex fencing is made from 95% recycled materials, giving reclaimed wood fiber and plastic film a second life as something beautiful. Choosing the fence that never needs a can of stain also means choosing the one that’s kinder to the environment. Beauty You Don’t Have to Earn Every Year Low maintenance doesn’t mean low style. Trex composite fencing has a distinct matte finish with the natural look of painted, finished wood — noticeably different from the shiny plastic appearance of vinyl. It comes in rich, nature-inspired colors and a range of styles, from classic vertical privacy designs to sleek horizontal looks, all with the same board-on-board beauty on both sides of the fence line. The result: a fence that elevates your home’s curb appeal on day one and holds that first impression for decades — without asking for your weekends in return. Reclaim Your Weekends Your outdoor space should be where life happens, not where the chores live. If you’re ready for a fence you install once and simply enjoy, explore the Trex Fencing styles, order color samples to see the finish in person, and connect with a local pro to plan your project. Ready to go (nearly) maintenance-free? Explore Trex Fencing styles or order a sample today.
If there’s anything that can define the state of the economy since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, it would be volatility. Supply chain disruptions, labor shortages, high inflation, frequently adapting health policies to defend against new virus variants, and local and international political intrigue pop up like creatures in a Whac-a-mole game. In spite of the challenges, however, the demand for construction projects continues to remain strong. This has caused manufacturers and consumers to adapt as volatility impacts plans and projects. The following article by contributing author, Aastha Sharma, sheds light on industry trending, particularly the shift from traditional materials to sustainable products like Trex.[/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”What to expect in the construction materials industry in 2022″ google_fonts=”font_family:Montserrat%3Aregular%2C700|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal”][vc_custom_heading text=”COVID-19 and Climate Change” font_container=”tag:h3|font_size:20|text_align:left” google_fonts=”font_family:Montserrat%3Aregular%2C700|font_style:700%20bold%20regular%3A700%3Anormal”][vc_column_text]Since the COVID-19 pandemic and the rise in public awareness on climate change, the entire dynamic of the global economy has altered and evolved. The concerns and priorities of people, industries, and countries have shifted as well. In this article, we’ll take a look at factors that have affected the construction industry (a major contributor to the economic rebound since the pandemic) and how they’ve altered the existing trends and developed new ones.[/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”Impact on the Construction Industry” font_container=”tag:h3|font_size:20|text_align:left” google_fonts=”font_family:Montserrat%3Aregular%2C700|font_style:700%20bold%20regular%3A700%3Anormal”][vc_column_text]In a report entitled United States Construction Market Trends and Opportunities Report 2021-2025, it has been estimated that despite the challenges created by COVID-19 pandemic, such as supply chain, shortage of labor, hikes in the cost of construction material and land, and surging demand, the US construction industry is projected to show growth of 3.1% in 2022 and continue to achieve an average of at least 2.2% after that.[1] In fact, the major contributor to economic recovery since the pandemic has been the construction industry, in particular its residential sector.[2] To achieve this growth, however, construction companies will have to look to alternate solutions and processes instead of the business-as-usual method. Two such approaches are expanding materials acquisition and adapting or adopting technologies that will increase capacity. Sustainability technologies and modern digitalization trends can help.[/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”Sustainable Approach: Benefits” font_container=”tag:h3|font_size:20|text_align:left” google_fonts=”font_family:Montserrat%3Aregular%2C700|font_style:700%20bold%20regular%3A700%3Anormal”][vc_column_text]Inflation was looming on the horizon in early 2021 and has already begun its rapid advance, particularly in manufactured goods and raw materials. In 2022, prices of construction products such as brick, lumber, sand and concrete are set to continue rising.[3] Another factor affecting the large cost increases is shortage of labor.[4] Even though labor isn’t a recent problem, demand has surged due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Pauses in local and national economics and waves of absenteeism are only part of the issue. As economies re-open, labor forces have been slow to return. Construction companies have had to become more creative. Previous supplies have forced designers and builders to look for alternative products to complete projects. Availability of traditional materials such as lumber was problematic pre-COVID but the pandemic and ensuing supply chain challenges have exacerbated the problem. The entire supply chain has been disrupted and even when stability is achieved in one or more links in that chain, other parts break in an asynchronous fashion. In other words, a fully staffed service provider may wait weeks or months for product thus delaying projects which in turn disrupts other dependencies and schedules. Once the supply stabilizes, however, the earlier delays may have already damaged the previously stable service industry thus causing a new wave of disruptions, delays and cost volatility. Those companies that are adapting, however, are finding that diversification and ingenuity can ensure that production and product availability continue, and that profit targets can be achieved. In fact, manufacturers of alternative products have seen a surge in demand higher than any point previously. In particular, sustainable manufacturing and green material utilization has benefited. Consumers have already been on a steady path heading to long-term sustainability. The demand for electric vehicles and recycled products are examples of the rapid migration from traditional consumption to environmentally-focused solutions. Whereas sustainability was an ideal in previous decades, it is now experiencing mass adoption as manufacturers and consumers alike look for product benefits and cost advantages afforded by this generation’s technologies. Lower maintenance, longer usage, broader functionality and wider options have become just as important as responsible consumption. It is also worth mentioning that sustainability solutions specifically offer hope for current times in the midst of a massive juxtaposition of pandemic restrictions and the supply-chain management issues. First and foremost, the sustainable building material that manufacturers employ comes from a wide range of eco-friendly, recyclable and technologically-driven streams instead of traditional non-renewable resource industries. In addition, green building material is also easier to maintain, cost effective and comes with multiple benefits to the consumer as well as the environment. As we learn to live with COVID-19, it is becoming increasingly clear that a return to previous economies, in terms of the methods of doing business, and consuming products and services, has probably changed for good. Interestingly, governments are looking to favor green construction and policies. With COVID-19, breathing issues and respiratory diseases are the primary areas of protection which can be helped by sunlight, ample ventilation and freshwater which green buildings can usually provide.[5] Sustainable construction material refuses the application of toxic exterior coatings such as paint that contain chemicals like lead which can affect the air quality, especially inside houses. Sustainable materials also offer natural light which helps lowering energy usage and subsequently expenditure. It’s also worth noting the immense good that natural sunlight does for immunity, stress levels, and mental health which have all taken a hit since the pandemic. Healthier indoor environment also leads to better work productivity.[6] The climate crisis has resulted in a positive shift towards sustainable material and production in construction projects both by consumers and industry leaders. The multiple benefits sustainable construction or the green material industry offer are not limited to consumers. The new materials and production methods promote smaller environmental footprints of the brand, along with lower operating costs and longevity of material, and offers unique combinations of design and
