04th August, 2020

Common Misconceptions About Recycled Plastic Lumber

Conventionally, the materials on which people rely for making the framework of outdoor building projects include various forms of wood and metal. Objects and structures such as chairs and tables, fences, and decks are just a few examples of these kinds of projects, and they all benefit from the versatility of wood and metal. However, plastic lumber can rival and sometimes even exceed those materials’ strengths. We’ll address a few common misconceptions about recycled plastic lumber that may discourage you from considering it for use in your projects.

Plastic Lumber Isn’t Environmentally Friendly

People link plastic with environmental hazards because it doesn’t easily degrade when it’s thrown away, winding up as pollution on land and in the water. However, contrary to what you may believe, plastic lumber is environmentally friendly. It’s very resilient, so you won’t unintentionally harm the environment with chemicals like you would with normal lumber, which needs sealants to protect it from water and insects. Those same sealants can prove toxic when they rub or leak off the wood. Furthermore, recycled plastic lumber gives a new purpose to plastic that would otherwise sit in landfills.

Plastic Lumber Is Weaker Than Other Materials

Plastic lumber may seem too weak to use in place of wood or metal, but the product is tested by manufacturers to achieve impressive levels of strength under heavy pressure. Tangent Materials’ plastic lumber is made up to the compression, tension, and flexion standards of the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), which sets international guidelines for structural materials. With this, you can have confidence in the reliability of plastic lumber. Tangent Materials also offers variations of our product that have fiberglass mixed in to further bolster their solidity.

Plastic Lumber Is Only Useable for Small Applications

Plastic lumber is fully capable of taking on large-scale projects. Some people may assume it’s only fit for making outdoor furniture and perhaps short fencing, but plastic lumber is a valid option in any structure where you may find wood—and even beyond. With the aforementioned fiberglass plastic lumber, you can build retaining walls, boardwalks, and protective bumpers for bridges and docks. These structures must hold up giant loads and deflect massive force without weakening, and plastic lumber is capable of giving them this sturdiness.

With these common misconceptions about recycled plastic lumber cleared up, you may want to use the material in your future projects. For an industry-leading recycled HDPE supplier, call Tangent Materials. We can provide further details on the qualities of our plastic lumber and the customization choices you have with it.