The Difference Between Plastic Lumber And WPC Fencing Explained

Trying to choose the right material for your fencing can be difficult. Wood has long been popular but needs regular maintenance. Vinyl fencing can be affordable, but not all vinyl fences are made the same, so there are important things to check for. WPC (wood plastic composite) is a proven material that has been around since the 1990s and is an alternative to vinyl that some people find a better fencing option. Then there's plastic lumber, which was introduced around the same time but currently seems much less common. Although plastic lumber and wood plastic composite sound very similar, they are not the same. So let's explain the differences and their relative pros and cons.

The main, and perhaps most obvious, difference is what the two are made from. Plastic lumber is 100% plastic. The most common would appear to be HDPE (high-density polyethylene), although ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene), PP (polypropylene), and PVC (polyvinyl chloride) are also used. PVC plastic lumber should not be confused with vinyl fencing. Although they use similar chemicals, vinyl fencing is often hollow, whereas plastic lumber is solid and can be treated much like real wood.  Plastic lumber can be made from new materials but is often created from recycled waste. WPC also uses recycled HDPE, but wood fibers are added. So despite both products being mainly plastic, they are actually renewable and have a positive environmental impact.

HDPE plastic lumber and WPC are both resistant to mold, mildew, and insect attack. Because WPC contains wood particles, rot could eventually be an issue, although it still has a much longer life than ordinary lumber. Both plastic wood and WPC can be bought in a range of colors, won't fade over time, are virtually maintenance-free, and can be cleaned easily with warm, soapy water. The texture of WPC can give it a more natural appearance than plastic wood at a glance, but a close look will usually give away what it's actually made of.

Plastic lumber is sold as both posts and boards and can be cut and sawed much like real wood, using normal woodworking tools. It can be nailed, but it's very tough, so pre-drilling and screwing is recommended. The same is largely true of WPC boards, but you are probably more likely to find WPC fencing as a set of pre-made components or a complete fencing kit. This may make it easier to install but takes away some of the versatility of plastic lumber.

So while there are differences between plastic lumber and WPC fencing, both offer considerable advantages over real lumber when it comes to ease of maintenance and durability. There are a number of mistakes people make when buying a new fence, but choosing either of these materials won't be one of them.