What’s Composite Lumber?

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Composite lumber is made from recycled wood and plastic, and is ideal for building decks, framing windows, and creating moldings. It is durable, less prone to decay, and has a wood grain appearance. However, it can be more expensive and less flexible than natural wood, but it helps reduce the demand for new wood and plastic.

Composite lumber is a type of product that is made up of various types of wood that are reclaimed and recycled along with the addition of plastics and different types of chemical compounds. While most formulas call for an equal percentage of wood and plastic in the lumber sections, there are products on the market that use a higher percentage of wood in the mix. Composite lumber is especially useful when it comes to building exterior decks, framing windows, and creating interior or exterior moldings for various types of commercial and residential buildings.

The appearance of composite lumber is nearly identical to that of real wood planking and similar sections. This is because the processes used to create the product involve the use of chemicals to adhere ingredients and compression equipment which results in sections of solid wood that can be cut to size. Most examples of composite lumber will also have a wood grain appearance making it ideal for staining when used in creating a deck area.

There are several benefits to using composite lumber in various building projects. The durability of lumber is among the best in hybrid building supplies and is less prone to decay due to exposure to different weather conditions, insect infestation and even sun damage. This is due to the combination of wood and plastic treated with chemicals that help increase the integrity of the product and delay the decomposition process. Additionally, composite lumber is much less likely to warp, making it ideal for use in a number of applications.

While composite lumber is excellent for use in building decks, fences, and even as trim and molding in various types of construction projects, there are a couple of potential drawbacks. This type of lumber can be more expensive than buying treated lumber, making it less attractive for some projects. Additionally, the lumber lacks the flexibility found with some natural wood lumbers, meaning the composite product may not be ideal for every type of building project.

Another key benefit of composite lumber is that the products use materials that would otherwise end up in landfills. Typically, both wood and plastic materials are used which are reclaimed and recycled to form the new sections of lumber. This helps decrease the demand for harvesting new wood, which in turn helps alleviate the impact of deforestation on the environment.




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