Recycled Plastic Information & Qualities:
Qualities that make recycled plastic lumber superior to wood, metal and concrete:
- Non-absorbent, will not promote growth of moss, slime & algae like wood & metal
- Not affected by termites, ants, or any insect infestation
- Completely waterproof – will never rust like metal.
- Available in several colors, solid boards colored throughout.
- Never needs to be sealed or oiled, like teak does.
- Will never dry-rot or decay like wood.
- Colorfast — never needs painting or sealing
- No spalling, splitting, or checking like wood and concrete eventually do
- Completely splinterproof, will never breakdown like wood does
- Great impact and abrasion resistance
- Workability similar to wood- screws, nail, cuts & routes just like wood
- Can be worked with conventional tools, no special equipment required
- Maintains its clean, new appearance year after year
- Heavier than wood and metal, making it virtually theft-proof
- Environmentally friendly and aesthetically appealing
- Virtually 100% maintenance free, requiring only household dish soap when dirty
Common Product Applications for recycled plastic:
Recreational outdoor furniture like picnic tables and park benches where wood, metal and concrete are exposed to the elements, resulting in constant maintenance and refurbishment. Replacement is inevitable when dealing with rust, dry-rot, decay, splinters and that general worn-out look. These conditions will never exist with recycled plastic lumber.
Boardwalks, decking, docks & railings where wood is constantly attacked by termites, ants and other living organisms. Bacteria, fungi, mold, and marine borers have no effect on plastic lumber because it is not cellulose.
Signage products, from the post in the ground to the actual sign itself, can be permanent.
Landscaping where edges, borders, retaining walls, raised beds and posts are needed.
Fencing in both commercial and residential environments where privacy, shadow-box, picket and split rail styles are preferred. Animals will not chew on the recycled plastic and their waste has no effect on the product.
Mailbox posts/structures are perfect for our plastic lumber because they never need to be painted or sealed and garden equipment cannot harm the base of the recycled plastic mailbox. We offer volume discounts for entire subdivisions and homeowner associations that require all mailboxes match. Give that uniform, clean appearance to your neighborhood today!
Traffic control: tire stops, speed bumps and parking bollards are superior to concrete because they will never crack or chip and never have to be painted. Our tirestops are colored through-out in safety yellow, handicap blue, white and black.
In applications where a high degree of abrasion resistance is required like dock fenders & bumpers, boat trailer guides and rub rails.
For projects where electricity resistively is required, plastic lumber is a non-conductor of electrical current for your added safety.
New applications are being discovered everyday for this incredible product and the response from our customers has been overwhelming. From both a maintenance and environmental perspective, recycled plastic lumber is the superior alternative to high maintenance items made of wood, metal, and concrete that require constant upkeep and continued replacement. Make the switch today to the many cost-saving benefits of our recycled plastic lumber products!
FAQ’s (Frequently Asked Questions):
Does recycled plastic cost more than wood? It depends on what type of wood our recycled plastic is being compared to. Recycled plastic is very competitive, or even less than, a premium wood such as mahogany, or teak. When compared to a board of Southern Pine #2 lumber, recycled plastic costs an average of 2-3 times more. However, that is comparing “acquisition cost” alone without factoring in “life cycle” cost. You cannot accurately compare two different types of products by using the acquisition cost alone.
What does “acquisition” cost and “life cycle” cost mean? Acquisition cost means only comparing the initial purchase price of two products. It is not an accurate method of comparing costs when considering two different products like wood vs. recycled plastic products. Life cycle costs take into account all the costs associated with each product over the life of the project. For example, A wood deck will also require the costs of sealing, painting, sanding (and how about the value of your time?). Add to that the aggravation of splinters, using a product that destroys trees, and the inevitable replacement of wood. Compare that to an initial expense higher than wood, and then that’s it– No sealing, No splinters, No replacement. So, which product really costs more?
How long does plastic lumber last? Test results have estimated that recycled plastic will last over 400 years with only minimal degradation. Compare that to a deck made of wood!
Is plastic lumber environmentally friendly? Yes! Not only is recycled plastic lumber manufactured from plastics that would have been landfilled, it will never leach or contaminate the soil or the ground water, since it is non-porous and contains none of the toxic chemicals found in pressure treated lumber. Also, the use of plastic lumber saves our trees since no wood is used in our products! Finally, plastic lumber is 100% recyclable.
Do I need special tools to work with recycled plastic? Plastic lumber is just as easy to work with as wood; in some cases plastic lumber is even easier than wood! It can be cut, drilled, routed and nailed using standard wood-working tools. Carbide blades are recommended for best performance.
How about fasteners? Virtually all deck fasteners can be used with our plastic lumber. We use stainless steel hardware in the manufacture of our outdoor furniture. Plastic lumber also holds nails and screws 40-50% better than wood. Predrilling is not necessary, but depending on the application might be preferred.
Does recycled plastic lumber expand or contract?
Our lumber will expand or contract slightly depending upon variations in the temperature. To accommodate potential movement, adequate spacing should be provided between adjacent and abutting boards. As an example, an 8 ft. board may expand or contract up to 1/4″ with a 50 degree temperature fluctuation. The following formula may be used: Inches of expansion or contraction in length dimension = .0007 x length of board . Temperature change in degrees (F).
Does recycled plastic lumber burn?
Under normal conditions and use, temperature fluctuation will not affect plastic lumber. No profile distortions will occur within the temperature range of 20 degrees F (Fahrenheit) to 120 degrees F. Like wood, recycled plastic lumber will burn when exposed to a combustion source for a long period of time and fed by a cellulose material. Recycled plastic lumber has a flash point of 625 degrees F vs. wood at 425 degrees F.
