Summary of Significant Accounting Policies | 2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Basis of Accounting The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company. Intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The Company’s results of operations are affected by a number of factors, including, but not limited to, the cost to manufacture and distribute products, cost of raw materials, inflation, consumer spending and preferences, interest rates, the impact of any supply chain disruptions, economic conditions, and/or any adverse effects from global health pandemics and geopolitical conflicts. Towards the end of June 2022, the Company experienced a reduction in demand from its distribution partners, spurred by concerns over a potential easing in consumer demand due to rising interest rates, declining consumer sentiment and expectations of a general slowing in the economy. As a result, beginning in the third quarter of 2022 the Company’s channel partners met demand partially through inventory drawdown rather than reordering products and maintaining current inventories. The drawdown was completed by year end 2022. Use of Estimates The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Cash and Cash Equivalents Cash equivalents consist of highly liquid investments purchased with original maturities of three months or less. Concentrations and Credit Risk The Company’s financial instruments that are exposed to concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents and trade accounts receivable. The Company from time to time may have bank deposits in excess of insurance limits of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. As of December 31, 2023, substantially all deposits are maintained in one financial institution. The Company has not experienced any losses in such accounts and believes it is not exposed to any significant credit risk related to its cash and cash equivalents. The Company routinely assesses the financial strength of its customers and believes that its trade receivables credit risk exposure is limited. Trade receivables are recognized at the amount of revenue recognized on each shipment for Trex Residential products as the Company has an unconditional right to consideration from the customer and payment is due based solely on the passage of time. An estimate of expected credit losses is recognized as a valuation allowance and adjusted each reporting period. The estimate is based on the current expected credit loss model and is determined using an aging schedule, including past events, current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts about the future. There was no material valuation allowance recorded as of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022. In the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021, sales to certain customers of Trex Residential accounted for 10% or more of the Company’s total net sales. For the year ended December 31, 2023, three customers of Trex Residential represented approximately 72% of the Company’s total net sales. For the year ended December 31, 2022, three customers of Trex Residential represented 64% of the Company’s total net sales. For the year ended December 31, 2021, three customers of Trex Residential represented approximately 61% of the Company’s total net sales. No other customer represented 10% or more of the Company’s total net sales. At December 31, 2023, three customers represented 27%, 23%, and 20%, respectively, of the Company’s total accounts receivable balance. At December 31, 2022, two customers represented 35% and 26%, respectively, of the Company’s total accounts receivable balance. For each year ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021, approximately 26.7%, 17.5%, and 26%, respectively, of the Company’s materials purchases at Trex Residential were purchased from its four largest suppliers. Inventories Inventories for the composite decking and railing products at Trex Residential are valued at the lower of cost (last-in, first-out, A majority of the products at Trex Residential are made in a proprietary process that combines reclaimed wood fibers and scrap polyethylene. Trex Residential grinds up scrap materials generated from its manufacturing process and inventories deemed no longer salable and reintroduces the reclaimed material into the manufacturing process as a substitute for raw materials. The reclaimed material is valued at the costs of the raw material components of the material. Property, Plant and Equipment Property, plant and equipment are stated at historical cost. The costs of additions and improvements are capitalized, while maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred. Cash flows for capital expenditures as reported in cash flows from investing activities in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows are adjusted to exclude unpaid amounts accrued at period end. Depreciation is provided using the straight-line method generally over the following estimated useful lives: Buildings 40 years Machinery and equipment 3-11 years Furniture and fixtures 10 years Forklifts and tractors 5 years Computer equipment and software 5 years Leasehold improvements are amortized over the shorter of the lease term or 15 years. The Company reviews its long-lived assets, including property, plant and equipment, whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the assets may not be fully recoverable. To determine the recoverability of its long-lived assets, the Company evaluates the probability that future estimated undiscounted net cash flows will be less than the carrying amount of the long-lived assets. If the estimated cash flows are less than the carrying amount of the long-lived assets, the assets are written down to their fair value. The Company’s estimates of anticipated cash flows and the remaining estimated useful lives of long-lived assets could be reduced in the future. As a result, the carrying amount of long-lived assets could be reduced in the future. Long-lived assets held for sale are stated at the lower of cost or fair value less cost to sell. Leases The Company leases office space, storage warehouses, training and manufacturing facilities, and certain office and plant equipment under various operating leases. At inception of an arrangement, the Company evaluates, among other things, whether it has the right to control the use of an identified asset in order to determine if the arrangement is or contains a lease. Operating leases are included in operating lease right-of-use non-lease non-lease Fair Value Measurement Assets and liabilities measured at fair value are measured at the amount that would be received for selling an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date and classified into one of the following fair value hierarchies: • Level 1 – Quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets. • Level 2 – Quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active; and model derived valuations in which all significant inputs and significant value drivers are observable in active markets. • Level 3 – Valuations derived from management’s best estimate of what market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability at the measurement date. Consideration is given to the risk inherent in the valuation technique and the risk inherent in the inputs to the model. Goodwill Goodwill represents the excess of cost over net assets acquired resulting from the Company’s 1996 purchase of the Mobil Composite Products Division, the 2011 purchase of the assets of the Iron Deck Corporation, and the 2017 purchase of certain assets and the assumption of certain liabilities of SC Company. The Company evaluates the recoverability of goodwill in accordance with Accounting Standard Codification Topic 350, “ Intangibles – Goodwill and Other The Company assigned its goodwill to reporting units and tests each reporting unit’s goodwill for impairment at least on an annual basis, or more frequently if an event occurs or circumstances change in the interim that indicate the carrying amount of reporting unit goodwill exceeds the implied fair value of that goodwill. The Company identified its reporting units based on the way it manages its operating segments. Prior to December 30, 2022, the Company had three reporting units: a residential reporting unit in the Trex Residential reportable segment, and a commercial railing reporting unit and a staging reporting unit in the Trex Commercial reportable segment. Subsequent to the sale of Trex Commercial on December 30, 2022, the Company has one reporting unit in the Trex Residential reportable segment. Each reporting unit constitutes a business with discrete financial information and operating segment management, at a level below the Company’s chief operating decision maker, regularly reviews the operating results of the reporting unit. The Company assigned goodwill to the reporting units based on the excess of the fair values acquired over the fair value of the sum of the individual assets acquired and liabilities assumed that were assigned to the reporting units. In testing for goodwill impairment, the Company first assesses qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, including goodwill. If the qualitative assessment indicates that the carrying amount of the reporting unit exceeds its fair value, including goodwill, the Company is then required to perform a quantitative goodwill impairment test. The quantitative goodwill impairment test, used to identify both the existence of impairment and the amount of impairment loss, compares the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount, including goodwill. The fair value of a reporting unit refers to the price that would be received to sell the unit as a whole in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. If the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to that excess, limited to the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. The Company measures fair value of the reporting units based on a combination of the Income Approach (i.e., the Discounted Cash Flow Method) and a Market Approach. The Discounted Cash Flow Method is a multiple period discounting model in which the fair value of the reporting units are determined by discounting the projected free cash flows using an appropriate discount rate and indicates the fair value of the reporting units based on the present value of the cash flows that the reporting unit is expected to generate in the future. Significant assumptions in the Discounted Cash Flow Method include: the weighted average cost of capital (or discount rate); residual growth rate; future cash flow projections; and working capital effects. The Market Approach uses prices and other relevant information generated by market transactions involving identical or comparable assets, liabilities or a group of assets and liabilities, such as a business. Significant estimates in the Market Approach model may include identifying appropriate market multiples and assessing earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) in estimating the fair value of the reporting units. The use of different assumptions, estimates or judgements, including estimated future cash flows and the discount rate used to discount estimated cash flows to their net present value, could materially increase or decrease the fair value of the reporting unit and impact our assessment of any goodwill impairment charges. Also, if different conditions exist in future periods, future impairment charges could result. The Company performs the annual impairment testing of its goodwill as of October 31 of each year. For fiscal years 2023, 2022 and 2021, the Company completed its annual impairment test of goodwill for its Trex Residential reporting segment residential reporting unit utilizing the qualitative assessment and concluded it was not more likely than not that the fair value of the residential reporting unit was less than its carrying amount. Qualitative factors the Company considered include events and circumstances such as macroeconomic conditions, industry and market considerations, cost factors, overall financial performance, and other relevant Company-specific events, as applicable. For fiscal year 2021, the Company determined that it was necessary to perform the goodwill impairment test for its Trex Commercial reportable segment railing and staging reporting units utilizing the quantitative assessment. The Company performed a quantitative assessment primarily due to a reduction in project commitments, which adversely impacted project backlog and forecasted net sales and EBITDA. The reduction in project commitments was influenced by a continued delay in new projects due to lingering uncertainty created in the commercial railing and staging markets by the COVID-19 pre-pandemic tax-deductible The Company uses assumptions that are consistent with those it believes a market participant would use. However, the use of different events and circumstances or different assumptions, estimates or judgements, including estimated future cash flows, and the discount rate used to discount estimated cash flows to their net present value and the residual growth rate, could materially increase or decrease the fair value of the reporting unit and impact our assessment of any goodwill impairment charge. Product Warranty The Company warrants that for the applicable warranty period its Trex Residential products, when properly installed, used and maintained, will be free from material defects in workmanship and materials and its decking, cladding, fascia and railing products will not split, splinter, rot or suffer structural damage from termites or fungal decay. Products sold on or after January 1, 2023: The warranty period for residential use is 50 years for Transcend ® years for Select ® decking and Universal Fascia, and ® ® that Trex Transcend, Trex Enhance and Trex Select decking and cladding and Universal Fascia products will not fade in color from light and weathering exposure more than a certain amount and will be resistant to permanent staining from food and beverage substances or mold and mildew, provided the stain is cleaned within seven days of appearance, for the warranty period referred to above. If there is a breach of such warranties, the Company has an obligation either to replace the defective product or refund the purchase price. Products sold prior to January 1, 2023: The warranty period is 25 years for residential use and 10 years for commercial use. With respect to Trex Signature railing, the warranty period is 25 years for both residential and commercial use. The Company further warrants that Trex Transcend, Trex Enhance, Trex Select and Universal Fascia products will not fade in color more than a certain amount and will be resistant to permanent staining from food substances or mold, provided the stain is cleaned within seven days of appearance, for the warranty period referred to above. If there is a breach of such warranties, the Company has an obligation either to replace the defective product or refund the purchase price. The Company maintains a warranty reserve for the settlement of its product warranty claims. The Company accrues for the estimated cost of product warranty claims at the time revenue is recognized based on such factors as historical claims experience and expected future claims experience. Management reviews and adjusts these estimates, if necessary, based on the differences between actual experience and historical estimates. Additionally, the Company accrues for warranty costs associated with occasional or unanticipated product quality issues if a loss is probable and can be reasonably estimated, as necessary. Treasury Stock The Company records the repurchase of shares of its common stock at cost. These shares are considered treasury stock, which is a reduction to stockholders’ equity. Treasury stock is included in authorized and issued shares but excluded from outstanding shares. Revenue Recognition Trex Residential Products. low-maintenance, eco-friendly Trex Commercial Products. Trex Commercial satisfied its performance obligation over time as work progressed because control transferred continuously to its customers. Revenue and estimated profit were recognized over time based on the proportion of actual costs incurred to date relative to total estimated costs at completion to measure progress toward satisfying the performance obligation. Incurred costs represent work performed, which corresponds with, and thereby best depicts, the transfer of control to the customer. Incurred costs included all direct material, labor, subcontract and certain indirect costs. The Company reviewed and updated its estimates regularly and recognized adjustments in estimated profit on contracts under the cumulative catch-up Insurance Proceeds The Company maintains insurance coverage for losses it may incur from identifiable insurable events resulting in facility repairs, incremental direct costs to serve its customers and losses in operating income from the loss in net sales. The Company recognizes a gain in the amount of any related insurance proceeds received in excess of any losses incurred. The gain on insurance proceeds is presented in a separate line item in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income. During the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company recognized gains on insurance proceeds of $8.7 million primarily related to the fire at its Virginia Facility. Stock-Based Compensation The Company measures stock-based compensation at the grant date of the award based on the fair value. For stock options, stock appreciation rights and time-based restricted stock and time-based restricted stock units, stock-based compensation is recognized on a straight-line basis over the vesting periods of the award. The Company recognizes forfeitures as they occur. For performance-based restricted stock and performance-based restricted stock units, expense is recognized ratably over the performance and vesting period of each tranche based on management’s judgment of the ultimate award that is probable to be paid out based on the achievement of predetermined performance measures. Stock-based compensation expense is included in “Selling, general and administrative expenses” in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income. Income Taxes The Company recognizes deferred tax assets and liabilities based on the difference between the financial statement basis and tax basis of assets and liabilities using enacted tax laws and statutory tax rates. The Company assesses the likelihood that its deferred tax assets will be realized. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance when, after considering all available positive and negative evidence, it is determined that it is more likely than not that some portion, or all, of the deferred tax asset will not be realized. As of December 31, 2023, the Company has a valuation allowance of $3.3 million against these deferred tax assets related to certain state tax credits. The Company analyzes its position in subsequent reporting periods, considering all available positive and negative evidence, in determining the expected realization of its deferred tax assets. Research and Development Costs Research and development costs are expensed as incurred. For the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021, research and development costs were $3.3 million, $0.5 million, and $6.0 million, respectively, and have been included in “Selling, general and administrative expenses” in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income. Advertising Costs The Company expenses its branding and advertising communication costs as incurred. Production costs are deferred and recognized as expense in the period that the related advertisement is first used. At December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, $1.8 million and $1.6 million was included in prepaid expenses for production costs, respectively. For the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021, branding expenses, including advertising expenses as described above, were $48.8 million, $43.3 million, and $30.7 million, respectively. Fair Value of Financial Instruments The Company considers the recorded value of its financial assets and liabilities, consisting primarily of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, accrued expenses and other current liabilities, and debt to approximate the fair value of the respective assets and liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2023 and 2022. New Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted In November 2023, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2023-07, In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU No. 2023-09, |