Wood-plastic composite – an environmentally friendly alternative
If you want the look and feel of a wood deck with virtually no maintenance requirements, you should look into using a wood-plastic composite. This material is produced from a combination of waste wood fibers from sawdust and plastic waste products such as recycled plastic bags. The result is a building product that offers the strength of wood and the durability of plastic. The leading manufacturers of this composite include Trex, Tech-Wood, Weatherbest, JER Envirotech, NewTech, and CorrectDeck.
Wood-plastic composite offers greater resistance to cracking and splitting than standard lumber. The material is also moisture-resistant and is not prone to wood rot or UV ray damage.
Wood Plastic Composite
The most widespread use for wood-plastic composite is for outdoor deck floors, but it can also used for railings, fences, siding, park benches, window and door frames, and even for indoor furniture. The composite behaves like wood and can be shaped using woodworking tools.
Wood-plastic composite is an environmentally friendly alternative for your home. The composite material uses almost entirely recycled materials, reducing the amount of waste going to landfills and saving virgin forest stock as well. In addition, the material does not need to be pressure-treated with chemicals to avoid rotting.
The initial cost for this material is higher than comparable standard treated lumber products and is comparable to the cost of high-end building materials such as pine or redwood. However, you will save in the long run in maintenance costs. Composite material will have a longer lifespan, and unlike wood, requires no staining or painting.
You can purchase wood-plastic composite from building supply centers or directly from the manufacturer.