Trex is softer than a lot of "soft" woods and machines fairly well although the edges don't have that polished look you get on the planks. I always have a few pieces laying around for things that will be in harsh environments. I also like the Azek type of solid plastics. It isn't pretty like wood but it will be here in the next millennium. IBE is also that way and the price is similar but it is heavier and harder on your tools. It does finish nice and I use it for little things but I also have an Ipe deck in the new enclosure we built on the pool deck. This is $2400 worth of Ipe back when wood was cheap 6 or 7 years ago.
