Replies

1. 
   Bill_Brennen | Mar 04, 2001 03:51am | #1

   *
   So would I. Who sells this stuff? Can it be nailed/screwed like wood? Is it strong like wood? I am dubious. It would have to cost plenty to be like wood, or we'd see it all over the place. JMHO.

   Bill

1. 
   Joan_Lindsay | Mar 05, 2001 05:09am | #2

   *We have not yet had our hands on this stuff. We saw a small, two-paragraph piece on it in a handyman-type magazine, in their "new products" section, and found it on the net. We've talked to someone at a building supply company, and will probably be purchasing some of this to reframe a section of wall which not only has been badly damaged by termites, but cannot be protected by barrier poison in the normal way because of proximity to our well. (We didn't build this place, but we're almost as dumb-- we bought it!) US Plastics makes Trimax. It's made from recycled milk jugs, reinforced with fiberglass, and, yes, according to the net, and the guy we've talked to, it can be worked with like wood, and comes in regular dimensional sizes-- 2x4, 2x6, 2x8...It's not used for residential construction because of its high cost (from 3 or 4 to as much as 8 times that of construction lumber). But we want to try it! Look at their web site-- this stuff is apparently very successfully used to make docks-- is very strong-- and has also been used by the State of New York to construct a luge and bobsled platform-- as well as a small suspension bridge in a wildlife area. The distributor we spoke to says most of his sales of Trimax are to governmental agencies, to construct or replace existing pressure-treated structures in parks and recreation areas. We've been using pressure-treated for outside applications for years, while hating ourselves for doing it. This stuff could be the answer-- but their costs of manufacturing (they have a patent) must come down a whole lot, to begin to compete with ordinary lumber. I think the product is about two years old... We can keep you posted if you'd like...

1. 
   Roger_Martini | Mar 05, 2001 03:04pm | #3

   *I have seen plastic wood used in a few outdoor applications. I understand that it can be tooled more or less like wood, but is very flexible compared to wood, and that flexibility is strongly affected by heat. Those plastic docks or park benches get quite soft in direct sun. I would avoid using it as a beam of any span.

1. 
   Mark_Kobin | Mar 08, 2001 01:16am | #4

   *If the plastic doesn't work out you might want to consider metal studs. definetly termite proof and costs are comparable with standard lumber. You will need a fairly heavy guage 16 or 14(might want to check with a table or engineer) and some special screws but its recycleable and not too tough to work with. my two bits.

2. 
   Joan_Lindsay | Mar 08, 2001 01:16am | #5

   *
   I am considering using this product to re-frame a termite damaged exterior wall in my home. I would be interested to hear from anyone who has used this product and what experiences they have had.