Why Use Plastic Lumber for Deck Building

Households looking for a cost-effective decking material should consider choosing plastic lumber. Since genuine hardwood is scarce due to strict logging regulations, even in authorized forests, expect the materials to be expensive, and the construction may cost more. Therefore, with plastic lumber, the entire construction project may cost less.

Other than a lower cost, there are several other benefits in building a deck made of plastic lumber which a household can enjoy. It’s important to note that the finished product is not purely plastic but a composite of wood fiber and plastic. The strength of this product, however, is far greater than its traditional counterparts, which makes it a good option for deck building.

The most common type of plastic used for manufacturing plastic lumber is foamed high-density polyethylene. This plastic is known to have very low stiffness and flexural strength. For other building applications, this may sound like bad news as high flexural strength is an essential property, especially when dealing with compression. For deck building, however, this is efficient as very little compression from loading may be involved.

Aside from strength and durability, plastic lumber is also known to resist insect infestation and decay due to moisture. Unlike real wood that still requires a special coating to prevent mold and mildew from growing on its surface, plastic lumber is definitely insusceptible. Thus, it’s not surprising that many modern home builders recommend such material for an array of building projects.

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Fantastic Plastic! The Wonders of HDPE

As far as construction materials are concerned, the use of plastic is fairly recent. High Density Polyethylene (HDPE), for instance, was developed during the 1930s, but only saw widespread use about twenty years later. That said, this doesn’t mean that HDPE is an unproven material. Indeed, many construction contractors are starting to favor this type of plastic for their projects due to various reasons.

One of them is that HDPE has a very high resistance to bases, acids, and alcohols. In the commercial world, this means that HDPE is excellent for storing chemicals, beverages, and different types of solid food. In the construction industry, this means that HDPE can adapt to various kinds of paints, lubricants, and oils, making it a very resilient material.

This high resistance to different compounds also gives HDPE added toughness and tensile strength. Another reason why HDPE is favored by construction contractors is that it is very light and convenient to use. What’s more, HDPE is actually an eco-friendly material because it is absolutely recyclable.

However, builders may want to keep in mind that unlike other materials, HDPE has a much lower tolerance to temperature extremes. In addition, glues and adhesives are not recommended for HDPE planks and boards, partly because of the material’s resistance to chemicals, so instead they require mechanical bonding techniques, like welding.

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Using Plastic Lumber on Outdoor Construction Projects for the Home

Add living spaces outside your home by building a gazebo or a pergola, which would be perfect for mini-gatherings. A wide array of plastic wood styles and colors awaits you, giving you more flexibility in design and construction.

If gazebos are not plausible, expand your living space through a roof deck. Make sure to use plastic decking materials from brands like Evolve, as distributed by reputable suppliers like Premier Building Supply, Co. You may also ask these companies for help in designing your deck, to optimize the beauty, versatility, and durability of plastic lumber.

http://www.premierbuildingsupply.com/1/post/2014/05/-using-plastic-lumber-on-outdoor-construction-projects-for-the-home.html

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