Introduction

When you start to source the right wooden material for your different projects such as furniture making, flooring construction or home decoration, it is not that easy for you to make all decisions quickly because of the material diversity. 

In the current wooden material industry, there are various types of wood available, each with its own set of characteristics and ideal applications. Therefore, you should carefully select the right one to suit your needs. In this guide, we will explore four popular types of wood-based materials to you: real wood, plastic lumber, Wood Plastic Composites (WPCs), and teak.

For each material selection, we will provide insights into how to select the best material based on factors like application, environment, lifespan, appearance and maintenance. Whether you are redecorating your home, upgrading your garden, or choosing materials for a construction project, this article will help you make an informed decision.

Understand Your Materials First

Before we talk about how to select the right material for your different projects, let’s learn about these four popular wooden materials first, so that your selection process will be easier.

Real Wood Material:

Although there are lots of new materials in the furniture industry, real wood has historically been a popular choice for crafting furniture. When talking about real wood material, it normally refers to those wooden materials that are entirely made of natural wood, particularly hardwoods and softwoods. Hardwoods like oak, maple, and walnut, has long been prized for its natural beauty, sturdiness, and versatility. Meanwhile, softwoods such as pine and cedar are also common in the market since they are more cost-effective compared to hardwoods.

Real wood is widely selected for furniture, flooring, cabinetry, and other decorative elements because of its rich textures, warm tones, and natural grain patterns. Products that are crafted from real wood always showcase a sense of luxury and sophistication, which can easily elevate the taste of any space. Therefore, real wood normally costs higher than other wooden materials.

However, real wood requires regular cleaning and proper maintenance to preserve its appearance and prevent wear and tear. It is sensitive to humidity and moisture, which may lead to warping or damage over time. Despite these challenges, many people prefer real wood for its authentic charm and longevity when well cared for.

Plastic Lumber:

This material is easily messed up with Wood-plastic Composites (will be explained later) by people, therefore, please read it carefully to clarify between these two wooden materials. Plastic lumber is a type of artificial wooden material that is crafted with a highly similar look to real wood. It is completely crafted by sustainable plastics such as HDPE, PVC, PP, ABS, PS and PLA. In order to preserve its colour and lifespan, additives such as colourants, coupling agents, stabilizers, blowing agents, reinforcing agents and foaming agents will be added during the manufacturing.

It is an innovative material that offers an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional wood. This material is fully recyclable, which brings no harm to the environment. Unlike real wood, plastic lumber does not require frequent maintenance and is highly durable and resistant to the elements, making it ideal for outdoor use. However, some people may find its appearance a bit too synthetic for indoor use, especially in spaces that aim for a natural, cosy ambience.

Wood Plastic Composites (WPCs):

Different from the plastic lumber that I mentioned above, WPCs is another type of popular synthetic wood in the market. Wood plastic composites are normally made from real wood fibers and recycled plastics such as polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), or polylactic acid (PLA). Because of the real wood components inside the material, the waterproof ability of WPCs is worse than plastic lumber.

WPCs is also crafted with real wood grains to achieve a natural look, however, with a higher density, WPCs is normally stronger and heavier than plastic lumber, making it ideal for outdoor applications like flooring, decking, fencing, and outdoor furniture.

Similar to plastic lumber, WPCs is strongly resistant to harsh weather conditions outdoors and will not splinter or warp like real wood. If you want a balance between the natural appeal of wood and the durability of synthetic materials, WPCs can be a great choice.

Teak

I believe that you have heard about teak many times before. Because of its superior quality and luxurious look, teak is often used in premium furniture, decking, and decorative elements. Known for its appealing golden-brown colour and rich texture, teak has been a favourite wooden matreial for centuries, particularly for outdoor furniture. Its high natural oil content makes it resistant to water and pests, which is why it is often used in boats, patios, and other outdoor environments.

However, because of its durability, sturdiness and stunning look, the price of teak is normally higher than other wooden materials. There is a unique characteristic also makes teak popular for outdoor use. That is, when teak is placed outdoors over time, it will naturally weather to a silver-grey patina, which adds a shining and unique charm to your outdoor space! If you apply proper cleaning and maintenance to teak products, their lifespan can easily extend for decades.

1. How to Choose the Right Wood for Different Applications and Settings？

Flooring Application:

When selecting wooden material for your flooring application, the environmental factor plays an important role in your choice. For indoor flooring construction, real wood will be a good choice for you because of its aesthetic appeal. What is more, since indoor flooring will not suffer from damage caused by outdoor weather conditions, real wood can be chosen to decorate your indoor area. With its natural grain and rich textures, your home will look more luxurious and cosy, offering a chilling place for you to relax. Hardwoods like oak or maple are great options for high-traffic areas, offering durability and beauty.

For outdoor flooring, WPCs are a superior option. That is because this kind of synthetic material can endure changing weather conditions without warping, fading, or cracking, unlike real wood. WPCs are designed to be slip-resistant and strong enough to withstand foot traffic. Plastic lumber is not recommended for outdoor flooring as it may lack the load-bearing capacity of WPCs and tends to feel softer underfoot, making it less suitable for high-traffic areas. However, if you choose real wood for outdoor flooring, it still works. But you have to be prepared to replace it after a while, because it will be corroded by rain.

Furniture Making:

All these four wooden materials can be used to craft furniture. The differences between them are prices and service life. When they are used for furniture crafting, the price of teak furniture is the highest, followed by real wood furniture. Meanwhile, the prices of plastic lumber and WPCs furniture are similar.

If you prefer traditional, luxurious furniture, real wood and teak are the winners. Their timeless appeal, especially in high-end furniture like antique chairs, tables, and cabinetry, creates an elegant atmosphere. However, keep in mind that these two real woods can be heavy and susceptible to weather damage, making it less ideal for outdoor furniture.

For outdoor furniture, plastic lumber or WPCs would be better choices. That is because both materials are not only designed with the natural look of real wood material, but also offer a balance of functionality and style. They are lightweight, durable, and require very little maintenance.  Outdoor furniture crafted from these two materials will be a long-lasting investment in your garden! Therefore, selecting a reliable plastic lumber supplier for your project is crucial!

Decorative Elements:

For decorative accents, teak is the material of choice. Its rich colour and refined grain make it perfect for adding a touch of luxury to any space. Whether you are looking for decorative materials for furniture, lantern or other items, teak’s elegant and timeless appeal make it a suitable choice. It is common to see some chairs’ armrests are crafted with teak to enhance the product aesthetics.

Plastic lumber and WPCs, on the other hand, is not typically used for decorative purposes, as their appearances can feel too synthetic. However, if you are looking for practical, weather-resistant accents for your garden or patio (like benches or planters), these synthetic wood will serve you well.

Sustainability: Eco-Friendly Options

For the sustainability factor, synthetic woods such as plastic lumber and WPCs are the best choices since they made primarily from recycled plastics. By manufacturing by sustainable plastic materials, these artificial woods are perfect alternatives to traditional wood materials. They can be fully recycled when the products are at the end of the service life, which brings no harm to our living environment. What is more, since it does not require the harvesting of trees like traditional real wood materials, using plastic lumber and WPCs to complete your projects can largely help protect the ecological environment.  

2. Longevity: Which Material Lasts Longer?

When considering the durability of wooden materials, many factors need to be taken into account such as environment, different use and so on. However, in general, plastic lumber typically has a longer lifespan than real wood due to its resistance to moisture, pests, and weathering. It is unlikely to degrade from exposure to outdoor elements or humid environment.

Teak is another durable option, particularly when treated with oil to maintain its colour. However, untreated teak will naturally weather over time. WPCs offer a good compromise in terms of durability, as they resist warping, fading, and cracking. However, because of the real wood fibres, they may still be prone to surface mildew if not properly maintained.

3. Water Resistance:

For this consideration, both WPCs and plastic lumber are perfect to be chosen. Since they are highly water-resistant, they are perfect for areas where exposure to water is common, like outdoor furniture, decking, and patios. However, WPCs’ performance may not be as strong as pure plastic lumber as wood fibers in WPCs can absorb some moisture, leading to swelling or mildew growth over time.

4. Aesthetic Considerations:

This is a highly personal consideration as beauty preference depends on what you like. In general, teak and real wood are chosen by most people when they prioritize beauty instead of product durability. The golden-brown hue and smooth finish of teak normally create a classy and stylish look for your projects. At the same time, the elegant and mature feeling of traditional real wood helps people create a sense of calm and sophistication in the space. You can choose the material that you like based on your personal needs and preferences!

Elevating Your Projects with Diverse Wooden Materials!

After reading this article, you might get some useful information about how to select the right wooden material to fit your diverse needs. No matter you opt to traditional wood, teak plastic lumber or wood-plastic composites; they are all good choices for no doubt! If you are looking for a trustworthy plastic lumber supplier, Leisure Touch Rattan can be you top choice. For more product details, visit our website now!