What Both Products Get Right
Before getting into differences: if you’re choosing between TimberTech and Trex, you’ve already made the smart decision. Both outperform pressure-treated wood and cedar in BC’s climate. Neither rots, splinters, or needs annual staining. Both carry strong manufacturer warranties. And both look dramatically better than they did ten years ago.
The question isn’t “should I go composite?” — that decision is usually settled fast. The question is which composite.
For context on why composite makes sense in our climate, read our post on cedar vs. pressure-treated decking in Vancouver — the same factors that make wood a tough sell here make composite the practical choice for most homeowners.
TimberTech: The Product Lines
TimberTech is owned by AZEK Building Products and offers several distinct lines. The three you’ll encounter most often:
AZEK (capped polymer) — The top tier. Made from 100% PVC with no wood fibre content. Zero moisture absorption, zero mould risk, best performance in BC’s rain. AZEK carries a 30-year limited warranty and a 30-year fade and stain warranty.
TimberTech Reserve — Capped composite with a wood-fibre core wrapped in a protective polymer shell. Beautiful wood-grain aesthetics. 25-year limited warranty. More affordable than AZEK, still excellent.
TimberTech Pro / Edge — Entry-level composite options that deliver solid performance at a lower price point. 25-year warranty on the Pro line.
You can see the full colour and product range on our TimberTech colours page and learn more on our About TimberTech page.
Trex: The Product Lines
Trex is the best-known composite brand in North America. Their lines:
Trex Transcend — Premium capped composite. 25-year limited residential warranty, 25-year fade and stain warranty. Closest equivalent to TimberTech Reserve.
Trex Select — Mid-range option with a 25-year limited warranty. Good balance of quality and cost.
Trex Enhance — Entry-level, 25-year limited warranty. Best for budget-conscious builds.
Head-to-Head: What Actually Matters in BC
Moisture Performance
This is where BC climate becomes the deciding factor. We get 1,200–1,500 mm of rainfall per year in the Lower Mainland. Moisture performance isn’t a nice-to-have — it’s a requirement.
Winner: TimberTech AZEK. No wood fibre means no moisture absorption path. Any capped composite with a wood fibre core carries some small moisture risk if the cap is breached. AZEK eliminates that risk entirely. For standard capped composite (both brands’ mid-tier), performance is comparable — the difference shows up over 15–20 years.
Warranty
- TimberTech AZEK: 30 years (fade/stain + product)
- TimberTech Reserve / Pro: 25 years
- Trex Transcend / Select / Enhance: 25 years across all lines
Price
Both brands sit in similar ranges at the premium tier. For a detailed cost breakdown, read our how much does a deck cost in Vancouver guide.
Our Honest Recommendation
If budget isn’t the constraint: TimberTech AZEK. The 30-year warranty, zero wood content, and performance in sustained moisture make it the clear winner for Lower Mainland conditions.
If mid-tier composite makes more sense: Either Trex Transcend or TimberTech Reserve will serve you well. We’ve installed hundreds of boards of both and haven’t had a warranty claim on either.
If you’re price-sensitive: Look at the entry-level lines. A TimberTech Edge deck beats a cedar deck on every 10-year cost metric.
We build composite decks in Delta, Tsawwassen, Ladner, and across the Lower Mainland. A 30-minute consultation is free.
Follow our builds on Instagram and Facebook — we post every project with material callouts.
VS Deck & Rail is an authorized TimberTech installer serving Delta, Tsawwassen, Ladner, and Metro Vancouver. See our full TimberTech resources →
