Is it normal for Trex to move in the wind?

Yes, Trex composite material is composed of particles that are bound together by proprietary adhesives. These adhesives are flexible and over the span of several feet there can be significant movement in the material during high wind events. This is more pronounced with taller

In general, flexibility is actually a positive element of the fence. Without the ability to move with bursts of high winds, fence posts could snap which is one reason why Trex tends to do better than wood in similar environments. The flex in the fence doesn't guarantee the posts won't break or pickets won't blow out, but it does significantly reduce those possibilities.

REDUCING MOVEMENT IN THE FENCE

If movement is occurring that is causing the posts to lean, this is due to improper installation. The footers most likely are not deep or wide enough to hold the fence in place or the footer is not deep enough to offset the effects of ground settling. A general recommendation for a Trex post footer depth is 30". However, local standards supersede installation recommendations because wind loads, soil quality and compaction and other factors may create the necessity of a different footer depth. Be sure to contact your local municipality for building codes and recommendations. Correcting the problem of leaning posts usually requires dismantling the affected sections, digging around the footer to widen or deepen hole, placing additional concrete in the hole and resetting the post. The sections should be rebuilt after the concrete is fully cured.

If the footers are sufficient to keep the fence posts plumb and concerns about movement still exist, an option is to stiffen the posts with an internal insert such as our steel post stiffeners (see section G).

Although the design of the pickets makes them capable of withstanding exceptionally high winds, it is possible that they can displaced by wind. If the pickets screwed to the posts become dislodged or there are concerns about this happening, add additional screws. It is also a good idea to add screws through the top and bottom rails into the pickets a few times in a section and to make sure the top rail is screwed down onto the brackets. The additional fasteners will help secure the material against the effects of higher than normal wind loads.

TREX WIND LOAD PERFORMANCE

The Trex wind load evaluation is a performance test conducted to demonstrate the capabilities of the fence and to give customers a comparison point with other products. While Trex has superior wind performance properties, the wind load test does not establish a guarantee of performance in the field because it is impossible to replicate the volatility of how wind acts outside a controlled environment. Trex does not warranty Acts of God, under which wind would fall.

REPLACING BROKEN POSTS

If posts have broken due to high winds or blunt force, they can either be replaced completely with new posts or they can be repaired without having to dig up the footer. This is accomplished by using a steel post stiffener and a new post which is treated as a sleeve. In the latter scenario, the existing post remnant should be cut off at the base and a stub of steel dropped in the hole over which the new post is set and fastened with self-tapping screws or bolts. The steel does not need to extend very far up the post to support the new Trex post. Typically, you will only need about 2' out of the ground for a 6' tall fence.