How to Use Recycled Composite Materials

An old, cracked, weathered wood deck can be a thing of the past if you install a new, recycled composite material deck.

Recycled composite materials (RCMs) are hybrid building materials that use recycled plastic, sawdust and other materials to produce a strong, inexpensive and durable product. Non-composite recycled materials (e.g., 100% plastic) do not exhibit the strength and durability of composite materials. Composite materials behave similarly to traditional lumber with a few key exceptions, the most obvious of which is the lack of any need for staining or weather sealing. Many composite materials carry a warranty of 10 to 20 years due to their weather resistance.

Things You'll Need

• Circular saw
• Carbide saw blade with a narrow kerf
• Hammer or drill
• Nails or screws
• Belt sander or rasp

Instructions

1. Cut your RCM boards with your carbide saw blade. RCMs are denser than soft woods like pine, so you should use a saw that dissipates heat well and cuts slowly. Pay attention to the look and smell of your cuts to prevent scorching the material with the heat of the saw. Slow down or stop cutting if your saw blade becomes too hot.

2. Sand or rasp the ends of the cuts to smooth them out. A belt sander is ideal for creating a curved edge on a freshly cut face.

3. Fasten the RCM to your support material (e.g., deck joists) with a non-corrosive fastener. Stainless steel or galvanized fasteners are ideal. If you are using screws, there is no need to drill a pilot hole since the RCM does not have a grain and there is no danger of splitting. However, if you wish the fasteners to lay completely flush with the deck you may need to drill a counter-sunk pilot hole, otherwise the fastener heads will rest on the deck surface.

References

• Tool Base: Recycled Composite Material
• Hammer Zone: Installing Composite Decking
• Choice Dek: Installation Guide