Introduction

Home decoration has always been a fundamental part of everyday life. But, in recent years, concern for the environment and sustainability has led to a shift in decorating trends. Instead of opting for cheap, disposable furniture and accessories, more and more people are looking for greener and more sustainable options for their homes.

Since 1972, World Wildlife Day has been celebrated every 18 October with the aim of raising awareness of the importance of caring for and preserving the planet, one of the main objectives of the 2030 Agenda. Adopting a more sustainable lifestyle is fundamental for the preservation of the environment, and the design of eco-friendly furniture is no stranger to this need. 

This is why it is becoming increasingly common to find environmentally friendly furniture. Far from the traditional natural wood furniture, nowadays it is possible to find plastic wood furniture with modern and light designs. Plastic wood is an ultra-weather-resistant material that also has the advantage of being easy to clean, and has high resistance to sun, shock, moisture and chemicals. It is a great alternative if what we are looking for is a type of furniture that we can leave all year round on the terrace or if the weather is not extreme. Furniture made from this material is 100% recyclable.

Plastic Wood

Plastic wood is an environmentally friendly material that is manufactured from plastics and recycled materials. The material offers all-weather performance and the closest result to wood strips in terms of shape, colour, finish, texture and grain. Plastic wood has the advantages of being UV resistant, all-weather, waterproof, moisture proof, insect proof, strong plasticity, high environmental protection, no pollution, recyclable, simple installation, no daily maintenance and a longer life span than wood.

Another feature that makes this material more attractive is the flexibility to adapt to different projects, i.e. the material can be manufactured in different sizes and colours, so the list of furniture models that can be manufactured with plastic wood is extensive, especially outdoor furniture.

Design and manufacture

Ecological plastic wood furniture is designed under an ethical and sustainable conception. Designers, craftsmen or manufacturers aim to develop durable solutions that focus on environmental friendliness, environmentally friendly production and responsible consumption patterns. As a substitute for natural wood, plastic wood can also be used to manufacture the same furniture models that we are used to using on a daily basis. The manufacturing process of this furniture is much simpler compared to natural wood furniture. Generally plastic wood manufacturers have different moulds and machines that are used to shape the plastic wood into a certain form for each furniture design that is to be manufactured.

Assembly and finishing

Plastic wood furniture can be finished in various ways: embossed, brushed or flat. The choice between one form or the other will always depend on the type of model to be manufactured, as the shape of the wood itself is suitable for a particular piece of furniture, i.e. there are models of plastic wood that stand out more when they are used to manufacture tables and others to manufacture chairs.

In the manufacture of conventional furniture, the phases with the greatest impact are the assembly and finishing stages, as these involve the use of toxic substances classified as hazardous waste. In order to eradicate this problem, the producer of ecological plastic wood furniture has opted for the use of harmless substances. Glues, adhesives, varnishes, dyes and solvents have been replaced by the use of the same in aqueous base. These new substances entail the non-use of solvents and, therefore, a considerable reduction in the hazardous waste derived from them and a reduction in VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) emissions.

Once the piece of furniture is finished, it is packed in its different parts for transport. This process is carried out in such a way that the furniture takes up as little space as possible in order to optimise its transport. Recyclable materials are used in the packaging. The eco-friendly furniture is easy to assemble and comes with clear and concise instructions.

For the assembly of this furniture different aluminium parts and screws are used to ensure that the furniture will remain uniform and strong.

Variation and Care of Plastic Wood Furniture

Plastic wood is a material that can be used to manufacture the same furniture that is usually made from natural wood, although it should be noted that the main use of this furniture is for outdoor spaces, which is why manufacturers focus on family furniture such as tables with seating for 4, 6 or more people. Also the chairs and stools to enjoy a pleasant sunbathing session in the garden, the pool or the beach.

In terms of care, plastic wood is a material that possesses certain physical and mechanical properties that make it low-maintenance, so that the furniture can remain outdoors for a long time without maintenance. However, it is recommended to clean the furniture once or twice every 3 to 4 months. The ecological oil cares for and beautifies the wood, respecting the natural appearance of the wood grain as much as possible. Wood treated with ecological oils recovers its natural balance and its original qualities of brightness, texture and colour. An example of natural oil for furniture is linseed oil.

Buy plastic wood to make eco-friendly furniture

Leisure touch rattan is a company that for more than a decade has focused on perfecting the technique of manufacturing plastic wood planks. Today the company has more than 60 construction machines capable of producing more than 2800 tons of plastic wood per year. Our research and development team has not only managed to improve the technique and make our plastic wood look like natural wood, but we also offer the highest quality to our distinguished clientele, so that they can enjoy a material that has the advantages of resistance to degrading agents, ease of moulding and does not require much maintenance. In addition, it is a viable material to use because of its durability, environmental impact and low cost.

In order to place an order for plastic lumber, the customer must determine the following factors:

1. Model: the customer can choose between planks with an embossed, polished or flat finish.
2. Measurements: these are the measurements that each board will have, i.e. width, thickness and length. Based on these measurements, the total weight of each board can be determined as well as the total weight of the whole order.
3. Type of project: although plastic wood is a material that can be used in a wide variety of projects, it is necessary to provide sufficient information about the project so that the factory can meet your needs.

FAQ

• What characterises plastic wood furniture?

There are many factors that characterize the plastic wood, however mainly stand out the strength, versatility, ease of use, low cost, environmental friendliness and simplicity of the assembly process of the furniture.

• What is the lifespan of eco-friendly plastic furniture?

If properly cared for, this furniture can be used for almost a decade.

• Can I choose the size and colour of the boards?

Of course, Leisure Touch Rattan currently has the technology and know-how to manufacture any size or colour of plastic wood planks of the highest quality.

• How is plastic wood furniture assembled?

As most of the furniture has an aluminium structure, aluminium fittings and screws are used for the assembly of this furniture.

• Can plastic wood be cleaned with water?

Of course, you only need clean water and a damp cloth without any additives.

• Is it necessary to apply varnish on plastic wood?

No, plastic wood furniture can remain as good as new without the need to apply varnish to the wood.

• Can plastic wood furniture only be used outdoors?

No, although plastic wood is mainly known for its use in outdoor spaces, it can also be used for indoor furniture and accessories.

Conclusion

Our customers care about the forests and we care about our customers. As a new environmentally friendly material, wood plastic (made from PS, polystyrene) has the best of both worlds: all-weather performance and the closest result to wood strips in terms of shape, colour, finish, texture and grain. Wood plastic has the advantages of being UV resistant, all-weather, waterproof, moisture proof, insect proof, strong plasticity, high environmental protection, no pollution, recyclable, simple installation, no daily maintenance and a longer life span than wood.

We want to make the best plastic wood, to appreciate the environmentalists, making them enjoy the fresh, natural and outdoor plastic wood while protecting the environment to the maximum.