WPC Decking & Composite Material: All About It

WPC or Wood Plastic Composite is a composite of wood floor and thermoplastic such as Polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE) etc. In developed countries, Composite Decks are fast becoming the material of choice over natural hardwood decks. Being much more environmentally friendly than traditional wood, they enjoy a distinct advantage. Read on to know more about WPCs and how they are rapidly becoming the material of choice when it comes to decking material for our homes.

How it is Made?

Mixing wood flour and heated thermoplastic resin makes WPC Decking & Composite Material. They are usually extruded into the desired shape and structure both hollow and solid. Most of the WPCs available in the market today are produced from the thermoplastic Polyethylene (PE). Injection molding processes are also used especially to make parts of car doors, phone covers etc. Depending on the specific qualities required in the WPC additives such as colors, UV stabilizers, coupling agents, foaming agents, blowing agents are used which give its unique properties.

WPC Decking

Some manufacturers use the same extrusion process to make pellets, which are again melted and formed into the desired shape and size by other manufacturers depending on their individual needs. Addition of organic material means, unlike most normal products WPC will be processed at a much lower temperature. On an average it is, about 28 degrees F. Hence, the melt flow index (MFI) of a WPC is determined by the about of wood present in the mixture. More the wood ratio, lower the MPI of the particular WPC. Even after the upfront higher costs associated with WPCs than regular hardwood WPCs, are slowly taking over the traditional market due to their unique set of benefits.

Here are Some of the Advantages Offered by Using WPC Decking & Composite Material Systems:

• Environmental Benefits: Most WPC Decking & Composite Material are made from recycled products. They are composed of about 40-50% recycled plastics and 40-50% recycled wood flour or fibers and the being specialized adhesives and additives. And together with the fact that this requires no regular sealant or staining, this enjoys a very unique environmentally friendly position.

• Safety: Unlike most other kinds of decking wood, WPCs are chip and splinter free. Which makes them safe for kids and pets to walk barefoot on?

• Needs Low Maintenance: Unlike most of the other natural timber, WPCs do not rot, fade, discolor, wrap, twist etc. It does not require yearly oiling or staining to protect it from the environment due to its extremely durable nature. This is one of the most important benefits of WPC decking & composite material. So in spite of the initial higher costs in the longer run, just by savings in yearly maintenance costs alone WPCs it more than makes up for it.

• Color, Shapes, and Sizes: Due to the way it is manufactured. WPCs can come in almost any color one wants it to be in and can be shaped and designed to suit any particular area. So one does not need to be restricted to usual shapes and sizes.

• Marine Usage: Due to its resistant and durable nature WPC decking & composite material are ideal in marinas, pontoons, jetties, spas and around swimming pools. It does not rot even after relatively long-term exposure to water and its non-slippery nature is ideal for wet areas.

• Installation: WPC decking & composite material is available in standardized measurements and usually in much larger configuration than regular timber. This allows for longer spans which reduces the number of pieces of boards to be installed overall.

Hidden fixing available in most WPCs allows for seamless installations with far few screws and bolts which not only looks great but increases safety too.

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