Install Trex Transcend Lineage Rainier composite decking with Trex Universal Hidden Clips in the field. Perimeter and pool-side curve with color-matched plugs.
Trex Transcend Lineage Specs
Spec
Value
Product
Trex Transcend Lineage, Color: Rainier
Board thickness (actual)
0.94" (nominal 1")
Board width (actual)
5.5" (nominal 6")
Grooved
Yes, both long edges (for Universal Hidden Clips)
Max joist spacing (perpendicular install)
16" OC (using 12" OC for firmer feel)
Board-to-board gap (with Universal Hidden Clips)
1/4" (set automatically by the clip)
Board end-to-end gap
1/8" above 40°F, 3/16" below 40°F
Gap between decking and solid objects (walls, pool coping)
1/4" above 40°F, 1/2" below 40°F
Max overhang past rim joist
2"
Minimum joist bearing points
Each board must sit on at least 3 joists
End of board fastening
Face-screw with plugs; predrill within 2" of ends
Warranty
50-year limited residential, fade & stain
Board Direction
Trex boards run PERPENDICULAR to joists. Since joists run parallel to pool, decking runs perpendicular to pool (front-to-back direction, ~14'-8" long boards spanning the depth). This lets each board catch the pool curve at the pool-side end for jigsaw trimming.
Hardware for This Phase
Item
Quantity
Source
Trex Transcend Lineage Rainier grooved 16'
33 pieces (528 LF)
On hand
Trex Transcend Lineage Rainier grooved 16'
4 pieces (64 LF)
On hand (Order 2)
Trex Universal Hidden Clips
6 boxes (~540 clips)
On hand — need ~464 at 12" OC (29 board gaps × 16 joists). Note: the "50 sq ft/box" rating assumes 16" OC; our 12" OC uses clips ~33% faster. Buffer ~75 clips.
Trex 80ct Solid Board Plugs
3 boxes (2 + 1)
On hand — perimeter/curve face-screwing (plugs only, no screws included)
Plug-system screws for Transcend boards (e.g., Cortex for Trex Transcend 2-3/4")
~150
NEED TO BUY / VERIFY — the only screws on hand are the box below, which is labeled for a different board line. ~125-130 face-screws needed (first/last boards: 2 per joist; pool-side end of every board: 2 each). Confirm with Bushka which screw seats the Rainier plugs in Transcend Lineage.
Trex 2" Enhance Hideaway Screws (75ct)
1 box
⚠ On hand but labeled "FOR TREX ENHANCE BOARDS ONLY" — boards here are Transcend Lineage. Don't plan the plug work around these.
Jigsaw with fine-tooth blade (for pool-side curved cuts)
Impact driver + T20 or T25 Torx bit (for Universal Hidden Clip screws)
Cordless drill for pre-drilling
Trex Cortex or matching countersink drill bit
Chalk line
25' tape measure
Speed Square
Rubber mallet
Pry bar (gentle persuasion)
P100 respirator (composite dust)
Safety glasses
Part A: Prep
Step 1: Verify Joist Tape Applied
1Confirm Trex Protect joist tape is applied to all joist tops (from Phase 3).
Tape should cover all joist tops and hurricane tie tops
Any exposed wood needs tape before decking installation
Step 2: Verify Joist Tops Coplanar
2Set laser at joist-top elevation, verify all joist tops level.
Any joist that's high — plane down
Any joist that's low — shim before decking
Small variance (1/8") OK
Step 3: Mix Boards from Multiple Boxes
3Open several boxes at once, mix boards to distribute color variation.
Composite colors vary slightly even within the same batch
Take a board from box 1, then box 2, then box 3, alternating
Prevents visible color banding across the deck
Part B: First Board
Step 4: Install First Board Along One Side Edge
Board orientation reminder: Each Trex board runs FRONT-TO-BACK (its 14'-8" length spans from pool-side to back-side). Boards are laid side-by-side across the 14' WIDTH of the deck. So the "first board" is at one WIDTH edge (LEFT or RIGHT), and subsequent boards are laid alongside it moving toward the other edge.
4Install the first board along the LEFT or RIGHT edge of the deck (either works — pick one and start).
Take a 16' Trex board and cut to the exact length needed to span from the back-most joist to just short of the pool coping (~14'-8" typical, minus 1" clearance to pool coping)
Trex Transcend Lineage has grooves on BOTH long edges — either edge can face outward
Position the board so its long edge sits at the LEFT (or RIGHT) rim joist
The BACK short end of the board should overhang the back-most joist by about 3/4" (up to 2" max per Trex spec)
The FRONT short end of the board terminates at the 1" gap from the pool coping
Because this is the outermost board with no clip on the outboard side, FACE-SCREW the outboard side of this first board through its top into every joist below (2 screws per joist)
Predrill each screw hole — especially within 2" of the board's ends, where composite splits easily
Use Trex-approved fasteners with Trex color-matched plugs to hide the screw heads
The INBOARD long edge (facing the interior of the deck) accepts the Universal Hidden Clips for the next board
Only the first board (outer side) and the last board (other outer side) need face-screwing along their outboard long edges. Every board in between is held by Universal Hidden Clips.
Step 5: Install Universal Hidden Clips
5Install Trex Universal Hidden Clips in the INBOARD long-edge groove of the first board.
Tap clip into groove at each joist crossing
Drive clip screw through clip into joist below (using T20/T25 Torx bit)
Each clip has two sides — one holds board 1, one holds board 2
1/4" gap between boards is set automatically by the clip
Part C: Field Installation
Step 6: Add Successive Boards
6Slide each new board into the Universal Hidden Clips of the previous board.
Working across the deck width toward the far outer edge
New board's OUTBOARD long-edge groove engages the clips from the previous board
Rubber mallet tap to fully seat
Install new clips in the INBOARD long-edge groove of the new board at each joist
Drive clip screws into joists
Repeat across the deck until you reach the far outer edge
Step 7: Check Alignment Periodically
7Every 5-6 boards, check that boards are running straight.
Sight along the board length
Measure width across every few boards
Adjust clip tightness or board spacing to correct any drift
Step 8: Board End Joints (Not Applicable For This Deck)
Our deck doesn't need board splicing. Each Trex board is cut from a 16' piece to ~14'-8" length — single continuous board spans the full deck depth. No end-joints needed except at the curved pool-side where each board terminates at the pool curve (covered in Part D).
Part D: Pool-Side Curved Edge
Concept: Because boards run PERPENDICULAR to the pool (front-to-back), each board's FRONT SHORT END terminates at the pool curve. That means every board along the pool side is a slightly different length — longer at the deck's left and right edges (where the pool is further away) and shorter at the deck's center (where the pool curves closest to the deck).
Step 9: Cut Each Board to Its Pool-Side Length
9For each board as you install it, measure and cut its pool-side end to hit the 1" gap from the pool coping.
With the board laid in position (clips engaged on both long edges), measure from the front end of the board to the pool coping
Determine how much to trim off the FRONT END to leave a 1" gap between the Trex edge and the pool coping (per A1.2)
Mark the cut line on the board's top face — this will be roughly perpendicular to the board length, but adjust based on the local curvature of the pool
Board length at deck center (closest to pool): shortest, maybe 13' or less
Board length at deck left/right edges (furthest from pool): longest, close to 14'-8"
Step 10: Cut Trim with Jigsaw
10Cut each pool-side end of each board.
Use fine-tooth jigsaw blade (composite needs clean cut) or Milwaukee circular saw with 40T finish blade if the cut is a straight edge
For boards near the deck center where the curve is tight: use jigsaw for a slight radius cut following the pool curve at that x position
For boards near the edges where the curve is nearly flat: straight cut with circular saw works fine
Cut slowly to prevent chipping
Wear P100 respirator (composite dust)
Test-fit before installing
Step 11: Fasten Pool-Side Ends
11Each board's pool-side end needs to be fastened.
Predrill within 2" of the cut front end (composite splits easily near ends)
Face-screw through the top of the board into the front-most joist below (2 screws)
Snap Trex color-matched plug into each screw hole — Rainier color
The pool-side ENDS of ALL boards need face-screwing (hidden clips only work along the long edges, not the short ends)
Because boards vary in length across the width, keep each board's front-end cut in a bin as reference for the next-adjacent board — the length change from board to board is gradual, following the pool curve.
Part E: Final Board (Other Side)
Step 12: Face-Screw the Final Board
12The LAST board across the width (at the far outer edge) needs face-screwing on its outboard long edge, just like the first board.
Slide this board into the clips of the previous board (like the field boards)
Its OUTBOARD long edge sits at the deck's opposite side rim joist
Face-screw this outboard edge into every joist below (2 screws per joist)
Predrill and use Trex plugs to hide screws
Completion Checklist
Trex Transcend Lineage boards installed perpendicular to joists (running front-to-back)
Universal Hidden Clips at each joist crossing in the field (~15-16 clips per board × ~30 boards)
1/4" gap between boards (automatic with clips)
Boards mixed from multiple boxes for consistent color
Board pool-side front ends face-screwed with plugs (predrilled within 2" of ends)
First and last board (outer long edges) face-screwed with plugs
1" gap between decking and pool coping (per A1.2)
Back short ends overhang the back-most joist by 3/4" (up to 2" per Trex spec)
No visible screw heads — all plugs installed
Common Problems & Fixes
Boards drifting out of parallel
Sight along boards frequently. Adjust clip tightness or slightly widen gaps to correct drift.
Universal Hidden Clips won't seat fully
Joist tops not coplanar. Plane high joists or shim low ones. Or joist tape has a bump — smooth it flat.
Curved cuts chipping
Blade dull or cutting too fast. Change blade, cut slower. Score cut line with utility knife first for cleaner edge.
Board bulging or bowing after install
Composite expands with heat. Verify 1/4" gap between boards. Verify 1/8" gap at ends. Bulging usually means no room for thermal expansion.
Screws stripping in composite
Predrill. Adjust impact driver torque. Only use Trex-approved screws — not standard deck screws.
Plug doesn't match color perfectly
Verify you have Rainier plugs (not a different Trex color). Slight color variation is normal — deck weathers to match over time.