Has anyone had any experience with Trex lumber for frames for raised bed gardens? I have been told that this is made of recycled soda pop bottles and wood shavings, and that it is water resistant and does not deteriate in the weather? Any information out there? Thanks in advance.

Squarepeg

-- Squarepeg (squarepeg@usa.com), February 01, 2000

Answers

Hi Squarepeg! Hubby ask's if you have LOTS of money! :) TREX is expensive as compared to cedar. In our area redwood is the same price. So if you were going to build them out of redwood it would probably be worth using the TREX. My Aunt is going to have her deck replaced with TREX (and yes-she has lot's of money!) but hasn't yet. So can't tell you at this point how it performs. Good Luck!

-- Kathy Cox (kilatable@hotmail.com), July 22, 2000.

Well, we considered TREX. It was expensive and slippery when wet, which ruled it out. Also, if a board cracked or went bad in any way, it would be harder to replace than a regular treated lumber board. Even though we did not want to use treated lumber, it was the easiest for us to access, afford, and install or repair. Consider redwood or cedar if you have that kind of money, or better yet, brick or masonry.

-- Anne (HT@HM.com), July 23, 2000.

My husband has built whole decks of trex, and says it is terrific stuff, wonderful to work with. It would be expensive for your raised beds, but that's a decision for you to make. At least you wouldn't have to worry about replacing them for, like, ever.

-- snoozy (allen@oz.net), July 25, 2000.

I want to do the same thing however I do not see what would be wrong with just soda pop bottles melted into a 2 inch thick sheet. I then could cut it to fit the slope. Does anyone know where I can get this and how much it would cost? Please Email me (most of us do not monitor our posting ;)

Dave

-- David Brendlinger (davidbr@usa.net), March 24, 2001.