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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Ideas on Using Quality Materials like HDPE

Staycation is a new thing nowadays, with more families preferring to stay home for the holidays while everyone else is out of town. Not only does it give them more time to bond with the family minus the hassle of travel, it’s also much easier on the wallet. It doesn’t have to be all boring, too; for instance, you could consider adding a lasting investment to your home in the form of a deck, which will let you enjoy the nature right from your own backyard all year-round.

The costs involved in a deck addition vary depending on the size and feature, and if people choose to hire a builder for the job, they have to compute for labor costs too. Thus, those with handyman skills can consider taking on the project themselves and allot the extra money instead for quality materials like HDPE or High Density Polyethylene. Take note of these critical factors in deck construction.

Design

Home improvement websites and magazines can provide inspirations for a deck design. Ideally, it should be able to strike a balance between functionality and curb appeal, and this is where professional design services could come in to help.

Materials

Since wood is highly vulnerable to the ravages of outdoor elements, consider other ideal materials like the durable HDPE lumber for the deck. Unlike wood, this type of lumber doesn't stain, mold, or rot; what's more, unlike typical lumber which is prone to splinters, this type is barefoot-friendly, even for babies.

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