Voice: 610.277.3900 Fax: 610.277.3970 E-mail: info@plasticlumberyard.com
WHAT IS PLASTIC LUMBER?
Plastic Lumber is a maintenance and paint free building product that comes in 8 standard colors plus custom colors that will never splinter, rot, warp, cup, or be eaten by insects.WHAT CAN I BUILD WITH PLASTICLUMBERYARD PLASTIC LUMBER?
It is an ideal product for decks, docks, bulkheads, landscaping, fencing, window and door trim, outdoor chairs and picnic tables, and any other outdoor application where wood would require frequent maintenance, painting and replacement. It can be used indoors for shower stalls, counter tops, base boards, and much more. It's uses are limited only by your imagination.DOES IT COME IN STANDARD LUMBER SIZES AND LENGTHS?
We manufacture most nominal sizes including decking boards, tongue and groove, and square posts, and structural fiberglass reinforced lumber, in lengths up to 40'. Refer to our product list for more information. Plastic Lumber Yard can run deck boards to the length you need to avoid seams.IS IT REALLY MAINTENANCE AND PAINT FREE?
YES! Since Plastic Lumber doesn't absorb moisture, it never needs to be waterproofed, painting, or stained.. Furthermore, it will never rot, crack, decay, split, or splinter.WHAT COLORS CAN I CHOOSE FROM?
Standard colors are white, black, gray, teak, weathered teak, oak redwood and green. Custom colors are also available. Samples are available here. Or you may call us 610-277-3900DOES IT 'WORK' LIKE REAL WOOD?
You can cut, nail, screw, drill, turn, and router plastic lumber with standard wood working tools.CAN AN ENTIRE DECK OR DOCK BE BUILT OUT OF PLASTIC LUMBER?
Yes. For decking surfaces, rails, balusters, benches, and other similar applications, you would use our "premium" grade plastic lumber. For joists or beams, while most customers use wood, you may use our structural grade.DOES IT REALLY LAST FOREVER?
Almost. Plastic Lumber has a very long maintenance free product life. Engineers estimate that it will last for 400 years with minimal degradation. Plastic Lumber Yard offers a lifetime limited warranty.IS IT SLIPPERY WHEN WET?
Plastic Lumber has a "wood grain" texture and is not slippery when wet or dry.DOES IT BREAK, MELT OR BURN?
Under normal conditions and use, cold and hot temperatures will not affect plastic lumber. Plastic lumber will soften at 180F with a melting point of 435F. No product distortions will occur within the service temperature range of -25F to 125F. Although it has a higher kindling point than wood and is self extinguishing when flame is removed, plastic lumber, like wood, will burn when exposed to a combustion source for a long period.IS PLASTIC LUMBER ENVIRONMENTALLY SOUND?
YES. First, plastic lumber is made of 100% recycled plastic which would normally end up in landfills. Second, plastic lumber can't leech and contaminate the soil because it is non porous and contains none of the chemical hazards associated with pressure treated and creosoted lumber. Third, the manufacturing process is a clean, extrusion process. Fourth, plastic lumber saves tress and rain forests. Finally, plastic lumber is 100% recyclable.WILL NAILS AND SCREWS PULL OUT AS THEY DO WITH WOOD?
Plastic lumber holds nails 90% and screws 60% better than wood.WHICH GRADE OF PLASTIC LUMBER IS BEST FOR ME TO USE?
Plastic Lumber Yard offers different grades of plastic lumber in order to meet a wide rage of customer needs and applications. Each grade has special characteristics that make it best suited for certain applications. Call customer service for assistance in selecting the best grade for your project. (610) 277-3900.HOW MUCH WILL PLASTIC LUMBER EXPAND AND CONTRACT?
Linear expansion and contraction must be considered. For every 8 foot section in length expansion and contraction of 1/4" will occur in every 50 degree temperature change. Thickness and width will not change. For example, if the deck is installed at 50F and the deck temperature changes to 100F, it will grow 1/4". To calculate expansion and contraction, use the following formula: .00007 X length of board in inches x F of temperature change = expansion or contraction in length dimensions.WHAT JOIST SPACING IS REQUIRED?
Plastic Lumber is more flexible than wood. When using 1 x 6 or 1 x 6 T & G decking, place joist 12" on center.. When using 2 x 6 decking place joists 16" on center.WHAT ARE THE MAXIMUM SPANS FOR THE STRUCTURAL GRADE LUMBER?
This depends on loads. Please request span tables & engineering data and review the information with an architect or engineer.WHAT SHOULD I CONSIDER WHEN DESIGNING MY RAIL SYSTEM?
Posts should be placed 4-6 feet on center. Posts should not be notched more than 1/4". Spindles should be spaced according to local building code. Plastic Lumber Yard offers lumber, sheeting and finished goods, as well as design and installation through a network of professionals experienced with plastic lumber.TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Standard orders: For your convenience, we will accept checks, VISA, Master Card, Amex, Pay Pal and Discover Card. Custom orders require prepayment and are non cancelable. Uncut lumber in new condition may be returned for a credit, minus a 20% restocking fee.. Return freight costs are the sole responsibility of the customer. It is the customer's responsibility to inspect and count all merchandise prior to signing the bill of lading and accepting the material. All claims for damages or short goods must be filled with the freight carrier. We pass on all freight discounts. All orders are shipped FOB from Norristown, Pennsylvania. Call Plastic Lumber Yard at (610) 277-3900 for an estimate in determining the best lumber grade for your application and the most economical, cost-efficient, design and delivery.- From Ask Cindy..
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Can I buy it?
The price list quotes a 'contractor's price'. Can individuals purchase your products?
Yes. Call us at (610) 277-3900 to order or fax us your project dimensions (610) 277-3970 and include a return fax number if possible.
Sizes? Real Dimensions?
TOPDear Cindy, Where can I get samples for the plastic decking since your web site contains no crossection of the decking. I have an area 8 x 27 foot to cover that is 10 foot above ground and weight is a factor. Larry L. Ward
Larry, Our product sells just like lumber sizes. For example: a 2 x 4 is really 1 1/2" x 3 1/2"ect..the only true size on our premium grade is the 1/2 x 8 which measures a full 8", which is designed to cover up a 2x8 in wood which actually measures 7 1/2".
Crates and Skids?
TOPI need to build crates and skids to move heavy equipment. Would use mainly 4x4, 4x6, and 6x6 lumber. Is your product suitable for this application? How does pricing compare to traditional lumber?
All of our material can be used for crates and skids. The initial outlay is more than wood, so you need a closed loop or in warehouse system to make it cost effective. The pallets and crates we've made so date are indestructible.
Backyard Play set?
TOP
I am exploring alternatives to pressure-treated wood for a backyard play set (complete with swing rail, club house, ladders, etc.). Is this an appropriate use of your product?Hi, we can supply the "lumber", as in plastic, for your play set, but not the slides and swings.
Glue on plastic?
TOPWe are a sandwich panel maker and we would like swap plywood with plastic wood
(mainly for moisture protection of foam cores). Our questions: Is plastic wood easily glued? If so can you recommend glues? Does plastic wood have better stiffness then ply wood? Will plastic wood improve impact resistance? Can plastic wood be repaired? Thanks and I hope to hear from you soon! regards, Paul LazoHello Paul! Plastic sheeting will be more flexible then plywood, however, it will be much more durable and easy to repair if damaged. It is almost impossible to damage it! The best glue we have found so far in Lexcel. Email me for more details! Cindy. UPDATE: 12/15/05: Our customers say dupont now has a glue for HDPE and paint called plastick.
TOPYour web page covers the use of mechanical fasteners but does not mention glues. Is this product glueable? If so please provide complete details. Also, can this product be bent with heat to a curve that will be maintained upon cooling? Thanks!
Hi, we have not had a lot of good luck with glues, although geocel has some silicones that work with HDPE. Call my office at (610) 277-3900 and I will give you their tech dept's phone number. As for curves, if the material is up on end, you can curve and fasten. If it is on the flat you can heat and bend or provide us with a jig and we will put it in the jig hot off the press for the curves.
Sun? Light? Heat?
TOPDo you have a catalog of you products specifications on size width/lengths and $$$. Are your products solid or hollow. How does it hold-up in sun light heat. We are looking to use it for sub-structure for decking projects also for lanai/patio covers. Do you produce 4"x6"or 8" x 16' boards.
Our product is solid and contains additives for UV stabilization and polymer degradation. We ship factory direct to most locations outside the Pennsylvania, Delaware, New Jersey, Ohio, New York, Maryland areas of the Delaware Valley where we ship with our own trucks. If you need samples let us know. Cindy.
Cold Weather Tolerance?
TOPI am interested in your product but live in the weather-neurotic county of Canada. It gets hot (90 degrees) in the summer, cold in the winter (-35 degrees), and doesn't know what to do in between. I have read about the heat tolerance of your products but what about its durability and tolerance for extreme cold? What testing have you done to ensure I will make a good investment by building my deck out of your lumber?
Your concerns are good . We have had our product tested by a state with similar temperature extremes. It passed all the tests. Also, make sure your design is structurally sound if this is a new application for do-it-yourselfers. We offer computer aided design services.
Fencing?
TOPI'm very interested in your product for a split rail type fence around our property. Is there a local distributor in the San Diego area. How would I get a sample of your brown color? Thanks!
We ship factory direct to your area. Email your fencing requirements and we will provide a delivered quote.
Mixing Wood & Plastic?
TOPDear Cindy, I would like to know whether you could give me more info on the mixing of plastics with wood. I hear its been done in the US but we here in South Africa are still keen to learn more. Can you help me out please. Best regards, Pieter Keser.
Happy new year Peter! Our plastic lumber is made with hdpe plastic and NO wood. there are several brands that are made with varying types of wood or saw dust. prior to setting up our manufacturing in 1996 ( we started as distributors in 1990), we did a lot of research on product composition. Our goal was to produce a product that we could give a lifetime warranty to. we ruled out wood and plastic mixes even though they are less costly, because we had seen installations cake apart like press board when exposed to the outdoors, especially in high moisture areas. we also ruled out commingled plastics as we had seen delaminating with some products. if you would like samples, let us know. for information on distribution or licensing, email us.
Use as curbing?
TOPCould you provide information on the use of recycled lumber as curbing/landscaping separators between a sand bed playground area and an asphalt activities area Re: Local outlets in RI for your product line; cost of timbers (4" x 4" or larger or pre formed curbing materials) Application at our Elementary School in Richmond, RI Thank you Jen Anderson
Hi, This is an excellent application for plastic lumber. In addition to what you can find on the price page, I have some less costly 4 x 4's in both gray and black that are substantially less. Call me at (610) 277-3900 on Monday and I'll give you the pricing. Cindy
Historical 1x 3?
TOPI would like to buy plastic tongue and groove lumber gray for my front porch. I would like 1"x 3" boards do you have different size boards. Please send me any info you have on your product and where I can buy it locally. Thank you .
Hi, What we have been doing is running a "V" groove down the middle of our 1x6 tongue & groove. We have been doing this with a router and can do it for you for shop time. If you have a router we can show you how to do it. This gives the appearance of the 1x3 tongue & groove. We have a customer who shall remain nameless in an historic district who is technically not allowed to use plastic. We color matched to his historic colors, did the "V" groove and also duplicated his colonial turned spindles as well as top and bottom rail. When the commission came to inspect, they not only love the porch railing, they had no idea it was plastic. Let me know if you need samples. Cindy.
Deck materials costs?
Cindy, I very much appreciate the work you're doing -- recycled plastic is a wave of the future, here today. Can you help me estimate the cost of a modestly designed (nothing too fancy) 250 square foot second-story deck (including supports, stairs to the ground, and a gate)? And how might that cost compare to typical lumber? Thanks so much!
If you fax me (215) 653-0225 a sketch--nothing needs to be scale---I will do a quote for you. In terms of comparison of priced wood, our material is comparable to clear cedar and 2- 2 1/2 times treated wood. However as you can see from the picture our product looks great, where as the wooden dock looks worn---:) BTW the dock is a month older than the deck, both 3 years old at the time of the picture.
Wainscoting?
TOPI have a basement that has a habit of trying to turn itself into an indoor pool. I am considering using your t&g product as a wainscoting. Do you make anything thinner than the 1x6? That would seem like overkill in the thickness. Something around three inches wide would be nice too, but I can live with the six inch size.
Our 1 x 6 t & g can be routed with a groove to appear like a 1 x 3 t & g with standard routing equipment. we have done this for jobs on historic properties and the historic commissions have approved it. we can router for you for shop time or you can do it. If you would like a sample of what this looks like, email us or call us at 610-277-3900.
FSA Contracts?
TOPHi - Do you have Federal GSA Contracts available for the purchase of your goods? Bronx Community College of The City University of New York utilizes all Federal GSA, City and State Contracts for purchases of this kind. Are you a sole vendor of this type of furniture? is there a supplier in the NYC area? Please advise. Thanks much.
Let us know what you need and we will provide a quote. Metropolitan lumber (ask for tom) in long island city is a dealer for us. we have had contracts with many states and universities, but do not have a federal contract at this point.
How are things recycled?
TOPHow are things recycled? Which is better: Cardboard or Styrofoam, paper or plastic?
All three are good. Our plastic lumber is made from recycled hdpe #2, basically milk jug material. For detailed information on recycling from start to finish, you may want to contact your local recycling coordinator or the national recycling coalition. You'll find links on our Friends Page. Students welcome here :-)
Hometime show?
TOPCindy, I was watching a episode of Hometime on the learning channel and they referred to a product by Plastic Lumber Yard ? It was a 3' X 6' sheet of what looked like drywall except it was made of recycled products and had the appearance of granite once it was sanded and finished with poly coating. Is this your product? If not a subsidiary of your company? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
Hi, I'm really not sure if that was our product or not, we have 4 x 8 sheets and can make them look like paneling for an extra cost. If you have the date and time of the show I'd be interested to see if it was our product. The sheeting comes in black and white, however, we can provide you with our tongue and groove plastic lumber in a multitude of colors ,serves the same purpose as stated on the web page. What color would you like and how many feet in height and distance would you like to cover? Please check our price and size page Here: Thanks for your interest! Cindy.
Plastic Lumber Start up information?
TOPI am a pro bono business consultant in Yerevan, Armenia. I have client who is interested in developing a plastic lumber business in this country. Armenia is a third world developing country, formerly a USSR country and has no lumber to speak of but has lots of used plastic. I am in need of general, beginning, information on how one starts this business. I would appreciate all the help you could provide me. Thanks, Loretta Land.
Hi, Due to distance you will either want to warehouse by container load or license our technology and manufacture the material. I can tell you with confidence based on 9 years of selling plastic lumber what colors, sizes and lengths and profiles to stock. I would suggest you telephone me (610) 277-3900 to discuss the details. Thanks for your interest! Cindy
Floating dock?
TOPI would be interested in pricing of your plastic wood I build floating docks using steel pipe and have used plastic wood, but I could not nail it in place. Currently using 2 by 8 fir on 3' 3" center's. Would your product span this using 22 pounds per square foot for load weight support, and what would be the weight of you product per lineal foot on a 2 by 6 board. Are large quantity orders discounted? Thank you.
Hi Jeff, our 2 x 6 will make this span, however, you can also use sleepers 12" on center and use our 1 x 6 to reduce cost and weight. Our structural grade 2 x8 and 2 x 10 can be used for joists in the dock. Our plastic lumber material can be nailed or screwed like wood, with no pre-drilling required. Thanks for your interest. If you need dock references, please call us at (610) 277-3900 and we will put you in touch with dock builders who use our product. Cindy.
Burning Point?
TOPIn Los Angeles we are prohibited from using wood decks as they are perceived to have the same potential hazard as wood roofs. What data can you provide me regarding the flame spread and developed smoke properties of your plastic wood decking products. Arthur.
Arthur, although it has a higher kindling point than wood and is self-extinguishing when flame is removed, plastic lumber, like wood, will burn when exposed to a combustion source for a long period. It will soften at 180* and melt at 435*f. Flame retardants can be added for an additional charge. Cindy.
Ceiling Beams?
TOPI am looking for decorative ceiling beams in molded plastic. I live in the NYC metro area. Can you help!!!!!!!! thank you.
Hello, we have 2 x10's, 3 x 10's, 4 x 6's and other sizes that might fit the need. Are you trying to have a "rough" look (my house is 120+ years and has rough beams) or a milled look? Both can be accomplished. Thanks, Cindy.
For Boats?
TOPI am redoing an older classic yacht. The teak and plywood decks are completely rotted and I am looking for an alternative to plywood and fiberglass. Would you please let me know if you have anyone in the Philadelphia area distributing your products or how I might obtain information. Thanks, Bob.
Hello Robert! Our factory is in Norristown, PA. Our teak colored plastic lumber looks and feels like the real thing without the rot and maintenance. It is ideal for boats. Let us know what you need. Cindy.
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