In the construction industry, wood has been the primary choice for building materials. However, in recent years, a few alternatives have been developed; composites are becoming one of the most popular wood alternatives in the market. But the question is, how does it compare to real lumber when used as building materials?
Composites, also known as plastic-wood or WPC, are wood-alternatives made from extruding plastics and wood fibers. It’s a relatively new concept, which started early in the 90s.
Comparison of Wood and Composites
Wood is one of the most common construction materials. There are various types of lumber, each with its strengths and weaknesses. In construction, it is useful in myriads of ways, from creating beams, posts, fences, flooring, hardscaping, and landscaping, to name a few. Many people still use wood today due to its strength, availability, and cost.
Composites, also known as plastic wood or WPC, are wood alternatives made from extruding plastics and wood fibers. They’re a relatively new concept, starting early in the 90s. However, they quickly gained popularity due to their many advantages. In construction, you can use plastic wood in place of wood and vice versa. However, the most popular application of plastic wood is to create composite decking materials.
Today, many are still wondering which one is the best material for different applications. To compare, let’s look at the different factors you might consider when choosing either one.
1. Cost
Managing the budget and saving as much as possible is crucial for any building project. For this reason, many consider prices first before choosing what materials to use. Which one is cheaper; composites or wood?
Both materials have different tiers of quality. For instance, tree lumber often comes in two types: softwoods and hardwoods. Softwoods are often less expensive and more common than hardwoods. Expensive hardwoods can cost as much as twice that of softwoods. If you can’t afford it, you can opt for loans for home improvement with bad credit. Such options are available for homeowners who want to cover such repairs with reasonable costs.
Likewise, WPC also differs in price according to its design and quality. In general, the better protection and capping a composite material has, the higher its cost will be. The cost will also depend on what materials are used to create it.
Overall, wood is the cheaper material among the two. Because of this, it is the preferred material for general building purposes.
2. Versatility
Wood is one of the most versatile materials, having so many uses in construction. You can use it to build walls, furniture, windows, doors, and frames. With a wide variety of lumber, you can choose the best ones for the right purposes. But how do composites compare?
Composites are also as versatile as wood. The truth is, in some cases, people now prefer WPC materials more than wood. For instance, people have been using timber for cladding. But since lumber has subpar fire protection, many people are starting to choose wood-alternatives instead.
While wood is still one of the most used construction materials, research shows that wood alternatives, such as WPC, are becoming more popular.
3. Durability
Durability is another important deciding factor that might help you decide which one to use. Durability is the ability of a material to withstand wear and damage. In this aspect, which one is better? As previously mentioned, there are varying qualities of both materials. However, many will agree that the latter is better suited to the former in many ways. Let’s take decking materials as an example.
Wooden materials, especially for decks, are prone to moisture absorption. When they absorb moisture, it will encourage the growth of molds and mildew. Molds, in turn, will accelerate the wood’s rotting process. Even if no molds grow on the boards, moisture can still warp and bend. Clearly, there are many potential issues you may encounter if you wish to use wood. But what about wood-plastic?
Composite decking materials are resistant to many problems associated with using wood. Its capping won’t absorb water or moisture, making it highly resistant to molds, mildew, and rotting. Many capping also provides resistance to slips, scratches, and color fading. Its only weakness is its susceptibility to thermal expansion, but there are various ways to avoid it.
While wood is still one of the most used construction materials, research shows that many are looking to use wood-alternatives, such as WPC.
4. Upkeep
If you are building walls, fences, patios, or even wall siding and cladding, you will want the one with the lowest upkeep requirement. Not only will it help you save time, but it can also potentially save you hundreds if not thousands.
It’s not a secret that wood requires high maintenance, especially if used for aesthetic purposes, such as hardscaping and landscaping. You will need to apply a seal and stains to protect it from moisture. Wood also fades fast, needing repainting every few years. The cost of these products and other maintenance care will pile up, eventually making it more expensive than low-maintenance options.
On the other hand, wood-plastic materials don’t require any special maintenance. You don’t need to seal, paint, or stain them. You do have to clean them regularly to avoid any potentially damaging problems, but in comparison with wood, the upkeep cost is meager.
Which One to Use for Your Building Project?
If you are doing home improvement or construction projects, you will have to decide whether you choose composites or wood. Which to use depends on the purpose of the materials. Since wood is cheap, it is useful for general building purposes, such as frames, walls, and windows. But if you need extra durability and lower upkeep, definitely go with composites.
When choosing materials for building construction, it’s essential to weigh the pros and cons of wood and composite materials. Wood offers a traditional, natural look but may require more maintenance. Composite materials provide durability and resistance to elements but come at a higher cost. The choice depends on your project’s requirements and budget.
It’s nice that you mentioned how wood is one of the most versatile materials, having so many uses in construction. We are planning to build a deck for our house and we are now trying to pick what kind of material to use for it. I think lumber would look best for the deck, so we should probably visit a lumber yard later.
Thank you for your comment Luke!
It’s great to hear that you’re considering using lumber for your deck project. Lumber can indeed add a natural and classic look to a deck, and visiting a lumber yard is definitely a good idea to see the options available and determine what would work best for your specific needs and preferences. Good luck with your deck project!
Every Landscapers having their unique way of building and flooring tricks, Progrenflooring also having the unique way of handling and installing WPC Decking and its materials as no one having in that particular industry and also they are having experts to meet customer needs and their options.