What is Plastic Lumber?
Plastic lumber is a type of artificial lumber made from plastic, which may also include other composite materials. There are a number of advantages to plastic lumber which have led to an increasing demand for the product since the 1990s, when commercial producers began fabricating it in volume. Many hardware and lumber stores carry plastic lumber, and built products made from plastic lumber are also readily available from an assortment of manufacturers. Pure plastic lumber is made entirely from recycled plastic materials, which are shredded, melted, and molded into lumber forms. Many companies also dye their plastic lumber, offering several colors for consumers to choose from. Composite plastic lumber includes wood chips or shavings, with the plastic providing structural support, making it sturdier than fiberboard and other products made from compressed shredded wood. Fiber-reinforced plastic lumber is made with recycled plastic and glass, and it is extremely strong and very durable. T
Plastic lumber is 50/50 mix of recycled wood and plastic materials that can be used for decking, door and window frames, and exterior moldings. These products are claimed to be more durable than conventional treated lumber and contain no toxic chemicals. It’s impervious to insects, mold and mildew. Some benefits (other than the obvious recycling of materials), the lumber resists decay and doesn’t splinter. It’s maintenance free, no need to paint, stain, or apply a refinishing coat. It can be supplied in many colors. Choosing plastic lumber can be making an environmentally sound choice and will slow the destruction of trees and rain forests by purchasing materials that are recycled.
There are a wide variety of different types of plastic lumber available. The base product is made of recycled plastic: 100% recycled High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE). HDPE is used to make anything from shampoo and detergent bottles, to milk jugs. Some plastic lumber is made entirely of HDPE, which comes in a variety of molded-in colors. For instance, the Adirondack chair pictured below is made from 240 recycled plastic milk jugs. Other types of plastic lumber use composites, which consist of a mixture of recycled HDPE with wood fibers, rubber, fiberglass, or other plastics. Depending on the brand and the application, plastic lumber composites are available for those needing a stronger material, or for those wanting a long-lasting alternative to wood, but with the paint ability of traditional hardwood lumber. Equipment to manufacture plastic lumber can be obtained from Cierra Industries Inc. of Auburn NY ASTM standards for plastic lumber ASTM International has played an important role i
