DESCRIPTION
Plastic lumber is recycled high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and sometimes other additives, such as fiberglass, extruded into common lumber profiles.  Apart from availability in most of the familiar wood cross sections (2 x 4, 4 x 4, etc), hollow sections or specialty shapes like speed bumps or bench legs can also be achieved.

COLOR CHOICES

BENEFITS
HDPE is a very durable plastic, making recycled plastic lumber a positive alternative to wood in external environments. For a comparison of recycled plastic vs other materials, please view our Comparison Page.

The most significant benefits over wood are:

USES
The uses, like wood, are endless.  As a rule plastic lumber is used to replace wood in areas where exposure to the elements is frequent or high abrasion is likely.  Some of the more common applications include:

Decking Picnic tables Trash bins Truck beds Fencing

Benches Speed bumps Landscaping Signage Sea walling

Agriculture Pilings Mail boxes Equestrian

DESIGNING
Designing with plastic lumber, instead of wood, needs to be treated in a similar way to the difference in designing between steel and aluminum.  With wood there are various trees giving different performance characteristics and with plastic lumber the composition mix can also change the properties.  Some boards can have fiberglass strands mixed in to add strength or stiffness while another may be hollow to reduce weight.  Unless you have design experience using plastic lumber, designing should be completed with the advice of an experienced user.

PROFILES
Many of the typical sections you are used to with wood are available in plastic lumber together with some specialty sections like hollows, "L" shapes, bullnose and others. Here are some examples - sizes are in inches:
 

Shape	Description	Actual Size
	.5 x 2.5	.5 x 2.5
	.75 x 6 (t/g)	.75 x 6 (t/g)
	.75 x 12.5	.75 x 12.5
	.75 x 18	.75 x 18
	.75 x 24	.75 x 24
	1 x 4	.75 x 3.5
	2 x 2 Radius	1.5 x 1.5 Radius
	2 x 2	1.5 x 1.5
	2 x 2 Round	2 Round
	2.25 x 2.25 Round	2.25 Round
	2 x 4	1.5 x 3.5
	2 x 6	1.5 x 5.5
	2 x 7	1.5 x 6.5
	2 x 8	1.5 x 7.5
	2 x 10	1.5 x 9.5
	2 x 10 (t/g)	1.5 x 8.75
	2 x 12	1.5 x 11.5
	2 x 8	2 x 8
	3 x 4	2.5 x 3.5
	3 x 10	2.5 x 9.25
	3 x 10 (t/g)	2.5 x 8.75
	4 x 4	3.5 x 3.5
	4 x 6	3.5 x 5.5
	6 x 6	5.5 x 5.5

EXAMPLES OF USE