Composite Wood

Composite wood or engineered wood as it is sometimes called is manufactured by binding together wood strands, fibers or veneers with specific adhesives to formulate the composite materials.

It is also possible to engineer composite materials from rye, stray, wheat, hemp or sugar cane residue. This product is therefore not classified as wood but rather a vegetable fiber.

There are considerable advantages to engineered wood and are becoming more widely used.

1. Composites can be engineered to meet specific application requirements.

2. Large panels of wood can be manufactured from smaller trees.

3. Various sizes of wood and even wood with defects can be used.

4. Engineered wood is generally stronger and lees likely to warp due to moisture or humidity.

Composite woods are more widely used than ever in deck construction. These materials are becoming more durable and more resistant to fading and shrinkage. They can also be virtually maintenance free for many years and require not painting or staining.

Many manufacturers make claims for overall performance. Make sure you do your research before committing to engineered products as they are generally more costly than wood and may often discolor more than you had hoped.

Back 14.12.2006.