Plastic Lumber Vs Wood

Plastic lumber is now becoming more popular among many wanting to build greener projects. Since plastic lumber first started being used for commercial building in 1990, many builders have found out the many benefits of using this green product. Plastic lumber does not fade, warp and does not attract bugs, such as termites. These are all common problems when building with wooden lumber.

Wood lumber can become a high maintenance-building product. Unlike wood, plastic needs little or no maintenance after many years of being exposed to the elements. Plastic lumber does not need to be weather proofed such as water proofing chemicals that need to be applied to wood when used for decking. This saves the consumer money over a period of time since plastic decking is water proof and does not warp due to rain and snow like wood. Plastic decking for instance does not need to be painted or stained. Plastic decking can be ordered from the manufacturer in many colors and can be made to mimic many of the popular wood grains. Many homeowners like the fact that they do not have to strip or paint a deck made out of plastic lumber, because the whole piece of plastic is impregnated with the pigment throughout.

Contractors and construction workers like the fact that when building with plastic, that there are no special tools that are required to use. This helps contractors and do it yourselfers save money on not having to purchasing special tools for a building project.

One of the worst fears of many homeowners is their wooden structure becoming plagued with termites or other wood-burrowing insects. These insects can be not only structurally devastating to wood, but can also cost the homeowner financially in replacing the wood or hiring an exterminator. This is not so with plastic materials since insects are not attracted to it.

Over the years, plastic lumber is now becoming a more common site in the construction field. With plastic not warping, fading or attracting bugs like wood many are choosing this newer building material. Since it is also considered a green material, it is now finding its place in building for those that are worried about the environment.