Decks and Patios - Plastic Decking Materials
About Plastic Decking Materials
Introduction
An effective alternative to wood for most decking and fencing is Plastic decking material, which is made from recycled plastics. Plastic decking material is absolutely maintenance-free, plastic decking material does not need to be painted, stained, waterproofed or sanded. Washing with a hose or pressure washer will restore plastic to its original form. Plastic decking material will never fade, rot, splinter, or split.
When buying plastic decking material, be sure to check on how much of the UV inhibitor is mixed with polyvinylchoride. This will definitely determine whether fading of the color over time from exposure to the sun will be an issue. Plastic decking material is designed to give years of dependable service with little cost for maintenance, and if a part of a decking is damaged, replacement of parts is easy to obtain and install.
Types of Plastic Decking Material
There are two types of plastic decking material, these are mono extruded and co extruded. This material is made by pushing a vinyl through a die to form a shape. Mono extruded is shaped as one single unit.
Recycled Plastic
If you want to put up a decking on your property, recycled plastic decking material is also a suggested material to use. It will perfectly match recycled plastic planks, boards, posts, and bearers.
Why use Recycled Plastic:
- Like any other plastic, recycled plastic decking material will not rot.
- Treating recycled plastic decking with harmful chemicals or preservatives which may reach into watercourse is not necessary.
- Decking that are made from recycled plastic will surely last a lifetime.
- Recycled plastic decking is easy to use and easy to assemble.
- Recycled plastic decking materials are available in various sizes and some comes with splinters
Fiberglass Reinforced Plastic Decking
A new decking material that is available in the market that needs no maintenance, does not crack, split or wart is made from fiberglass reinforced plastic. It is attractive and is expected to last a lifetime without routine maintenance. Traditional wood decking materials, preservative-treated and naturally rot-resistant materials have life expectancy that range from 10-20 years, if maintained with chemical sealants while fiberglass reinforced plastic decking is much stronger and much more durable than traditional decking and retains its attractive appearance without maintenance. This new plastic decking material is made of pultruded fiberglass reinforced plastic. Pultrusion, a process in which continuous strands of fiberglass are pulled through a bath of polyester resins to coat the fibers and then dyed to give the desired profile. Fiberglass reinforced plastic materials are strong enough and is used specifically as structural beams in industrial applications which requires resistance to fire and chemical attack. A highly scratch and impact resistant, fiberglass reinforced plastic material is colored throughout, which allows it to retain its looks with just periodic washing.
The cost of fiber reinforced plastic decking material is higher than conventional alternatives, regardless of its overall long-term value
Vinyl Plastic Decking
Vinyl is the most common plastic deck. A synthetic material that is used in the construction industry for siding, window frames and flooring, it became the most popular choice for decking material because of its very low maintenance. Although the material is not strong enough to be used for structural support, it is great for deck flooring and railings. Benefits of Plastic Deck Material
- Does not warp, rot or splinter.
- Immune to wood-destroying insects.
- Does not need to be stained.
- No maintenance.
- Will keep its color and will not fade.
- Has a better resistance to fire than wood, but if burned, it may produce toxic gases
