Is Trex a Shadow Box Fence?

There are various styles of fencing commonly sold throughout the U.S. One of them is called a "Shadow Box." It is typically a semi-privacy wood fence that is a modification of the traditional stockade privacy style. Trex is not a shadow box fence. It is more aptly described as a board-on-board fence with a cap-and-trim top and a trim bottom. A shadow box fence alternates pickets on both sides of a rail with gaps between the pickets. Because of this, shadow box styles would not be considered privacy fencing. 

A shadow box fence is a design used to help give a wood fence the same look on each side as opposed to the one-sided look of an exposed framing style like a wooden stockade style fence. A fence that looks the same on both sides without exposed framing is something that is already integral to the design of a Trex fence. A shadow box fence requires airflow to help reduce pressure on the fence and compensate for the relative weakness of a standard 4x4 wood post. Some places like communities in Florida require this type of fencing if it is built from wood materials because a wood fence may not be sturdy enough to hold up to high winds. Trex, on the other hand, handles high wind loads without needing spaces between pickets.

This is an example of a Shadow Box wooden fence.

Trex Fencing has an upscale look based on (and approved upon) a wood fence style of fence called board-on-board, cap & trim. 

Here is an example.

The Trex Fence system takes this style of fence to a new level:

• The pickets of a wood board-on-board fences can warp because wood pickets have a propensity to distort as they age and dry out. Trex pickets don't overlap -- they interlock. The interlocking system is an ingenious way of eliminating screws or nails while still fastening the fence together. The interlocking method creates the illusion of an overlap so the fence gives the appearance of a board-on-board design without the flaws. 
• The "cap-and-trim" aspect of the fence is also superior with Trex. Rather than using three pieces (a "cap" rail such as a 2x4 or 1x6 lying horizontally on top of the fence, and boards running underneath the cap on both sides to create the "trim"), Trex extrudes a one-part T-shaped top rail which slides over the tops of pickets. On a wood fence, it is common to see the cap rail curl up as it weathers or have the trim pieces pull off of the fence. With Trex, the top rail won't separate into pieces so it always has the clean look with its beautiful shadow lines and dimensions.
• Trex systems also include a bottom trim piece, which is not necessarily included with all wood fences. The bottom trim serves the functional purpose of hiding the heavy-duty aluminum bottom rail which supports the pickets while also contributing to the design of the fence. The picture frame appearance of the fence draws attention to the body's shadow lines and dimensions. 

Perhaps the most appropriate way of fully describing a Trex Fence would be ...

A picture-framed, board-on-board, cap & trim composite fence system.

This graphic illustrates how a Trex fence design accomplishes the appearance of a board-on-board, cap & trim look.