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What is ALTWOOD® synthetic lumber?
ALTWOOD® is a premier, solid building material manufactured from 100% recycled thermoplastic waste. It is available in popular lumber dimensions and three earthtone colours: tan, green and grey. See Dimensions & Colours.
What do you mean by maintenance free?
ALTWOOD® does not require painting, scraping or replacement of boards because it does not rot, crack, splinter or warp. ALTWOOD® requires only a periodical wash with water and a household detergent to remove a buildup of dirt and grease.
How long does ALTWOOD® last?
In accelerated weather tests, ALTWOOD® measured a UV penetration of less than 0.001" per year. This means that theoretically it would take hundreds of years for ALTWOOD® to deteriorate completely. See Technical Specifications.
Is ALTWOOD® easy to build with?
Very easy and with considerably less dust than wood - just remember that ALTWOOD® chips last as long as ALTWOOD®, so put down a drop sheet if cutting it on your lawn or you'll have to vacuum it later - the chips will not rot away! See Working with ALTWOOD®.
What do you recommend for joist spans when installing ALTWOOD®?
The recommended joist span is 16" for 2"x4" or 2"x6" ALTWOOD®, and 12" for 1"x6" ALTWOOD® - same as natural wood.
Does ALTWOOD® require gapping between each board?
Yes, ALTWOOD® requires gapping when butting ends together (see Working with ALTWOOD®). However, when spacing between boards, gapping is personal preference.
Can ALTWOOD® be painted?
Is ALTWOOD® slippery when it gets wet?
No, actually the opposite occurs. ALTWOOD® does not absorb moisture and the water on the surface creates a vacuum with your foot (or shoe sole) - similar to a suction cup. Please note that when ALTWOOD® is covered with mud or snow, it will be as slippery as any other surface. On the plus side, mud and snow are much easier to remove from ALTWOOD® than from moisture absorbing surfaces.
Does ALTWOOD® warp in the heat or in direct sunlight?
No, ALTWOOD® will not warp in the heat or in direct sunlight. However, ALTWOOD® is made from thermal plastics and as such does get affected by heat and must be properly installed. See Working with Altwood.
Will nails or screws back out of ALTWOOD® lumber?
No. ALTWOOD® is considerably denser than wood and is not affected by moisture. ALTWOOD® actually shrinks around the nail or screw, which holds it in place.
Can ALTWOOD® be recycled again?
Yes, solid off-cuts of ALTWOOD® can be recycled again at the Syntal manufacturing plant.
Where can I buy ALTWOOD®?
ALTWOOD® is currently available through well-established lumber dealers and hardware stores. See Locate Distributor.
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