Construction»Plastic and Composite Decking Comparison

»Monday, October 5,2009

There is a common misunderstanding that Recycled Plastic Decking and Composite decking are similar if not identical products. Nothing could be further from the truth as composites are manufactured from a mixture of wood flour, ground recycled plastic and virgin polymer resins which are a bi-product of oil.

Both resins and curing agents emit greenhouse gasses and are neither green nor clean! and in addition they prevent the recycling of composite decking after use

Govaplast recycled decking which is distributed by Plasti limited is by contrast manufactured from high quality plastic residue mainly from the nutrition and packaging industry and can be recycled after use.

It would be incorrect to say that the typical composite decking material does not have many virtues because it does. For example slip resistance qualities exceed the British Standard for slip resistance and the decking has acceptable levels of expansion and fire resistance. In addition its appearance when new is superior.

Set out below is a table that compares the properties of Recycled Plastic Decking with typical composite material decking that will enable the buyer to make a more informed choice if green credentials are important to him:

Comparison of the manufacture and attributes of Recycled Plastic Decking with Composite Equivalen

Recycled Plastic Decking

Plasti materials are made from high quality recycled plastic residue mainly from the nutrition and packaging industry. The various constituent plastics are ground, mixed and fused at high temperature and pressed into moulds.

Composite Material Decking

Composite decking boards can be formed from a mixture of wood flour and ground recycled plastic mixed together with virgin polymer resins and curing agents before being extruded to the required section. If polyester resins are used durability can be compromised.

Properties (relevant material characteristics)

Maintenance free – no algal growth
Potential life of 50/70 years
100% recycled input material
Polymeric material is recyclable after use
Does not exude toxic substances
Thermal expansion 0.1mm/m/oC
Fire resistance Class B2 DIN 4102
European manufacture

Properties (relevant material characteristics)

Algal growth can feed on surface wood flour
Life 25 years (10 in extreme conditions)
Resin supplies have high oil demand
Polymer composites discarded after use
Resins & curing agents emit greenhouse gas
Some thermal expansion
Fire resistance Class 3 BS476 Part 7
Often Far East manufacture

Slip resistance to BS 7976

Mean dry longitudinal = 116
Mean dry transverse = 80
Mean wet longitudinal = 52
Mean wet transverse = 61

Slip resistance to BS 7976

Mean dry = 65
Mean wet = 50

Grooved hardwood marine decking slip test

Mean dry longitudinal = 47
Mean dry transverse = 57
Mean wet longitudinal = 19
Mean wet transverse = 35

BS 7976 recommendations for pedestrian area

Dangerous 24 and below
Marginal 25 – 34
Satisfactory 35 – 64
Excellent 65 and above

Properties in use as pontoon decking

Correct fixing detail uses minimal screws
Tongue & groove spans 600 / 700 mm
Density 954 kg/m3

Properties in use as pontoon decking

Fixed as normal
Spans 400 mm (600 mm for higher grade)
Density 1,000 / 1,150 kg/m3

In summary examination of the above table demonstrates that whilst composites use materials that are neither green or clean in their manufacture, Recycled Plastic Decking only uses recycled materials to produce a product that can itself be recycled at the end of its life thus completing the virtuous circle.

Recommended Companies

Plasti Limited
Plasti Ltd Specialise in Industrial Recycled Plastics. Manufacturing durable posts, sheets and boards.

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