Start Your Outdoor Journey with Plastic Lumber and Teak
As outdoor living becomes more popular, people are increasingly investing time and money into enhancing their outdoor spaces. Whether you are an outdoor furniture manufacturer, space designer, or materials wholesaler, you might be familiar with these two key materials: plastic lumber and teak wood. These materials are widely used for various outdoor applications, both residential and commercial, due to their sustainability, beauty, and practicality.
Plastic timber and teak are commonly seen in outdoor furniture or decorations, including chair armrests, seat frames, and table surfaces, since they have a strong ability to withstand the outdoor elements and maintain their appealing appearances over time.
Both of these materials offer unique benefits—plastic lumber is known for being low-maintenance and weather-resistant, while teak wood is prized for its durability and timeless elegance. In this article, we will explore the differences between these two materials in detail, helping you make an informed choice when selecting the perfect material for your outdoor furniture or design projects.
What is Plastic Lumber Outdoor Wood?
Although both plastic wood and teak wood are popular for outdoor furniture, plastic lumber is an artificial material, not a natural one, making it 100% sustainable. As a relatively new man-made material in the outdoor furniture industry, plastic lumber mimics the appearance of natural wood, featuring realistic grain and patterns.
Made entirely of PE or PS plastic, it is both eco-friendly and durable, making it the perfect substitute for natural wood. For those seeking both durability and aesthetic appeal in outdoor furniture, plastic wood is an excellent choice. Unlike WPCs (another popular type of plastic wood), plastic lumber contains no wood particles, meaning that it is 100% recyclable and environmentally friendly.
In addition to its natural look, plastic lumber offers numerous advantages that make it highly popular for businesses. It is resistant to water, various weather conditions, insects, corrosion, and capable of withstanding high temperatures without fading. Therefore, furniture made from high-quality plastic lumber can survive outdoors for long periods.
Furthermore, it requires minimal maintenance. Simple cleaning is enough to maintain its aesthetic appearance over time. The lightweight nature of plastic lumber furniture makes it easy to move around, unlike real wood furniture, which can be heavy, difficult to move, and prone to rotting. This makes plastic lumber an ideal choice for those looking for practical and low-maintenance outdoor furniture solutions.
What is Natural Teak Wood?
In the modern outdoor furniture industry, teak is popular to be chosen for manufacturing luxurious indoor or outdoor furniture because of its elegant appeal. Teak wood is a tropical hardwood that thrives in mixed hardwood forests, particularly in Southeast Asia. In addition to its natural aesthetics, teak wood is also highly valued for its natural strength, water resistance, and durability. When it is freshly milled, it releases a distinct, leather-like scent that makes this material appealing. It is a preferred material for various applications, including boat building, exterior construction, carving and furniture making.
Another key reason for its popular use is the natural oils within the teak wood, which provide resistance against termites, pests, and harsh outdoor conditions. Even without the application of protective oils, teak can remain durable by itself, making it ideal for outdoor furniture applications. Its beauty, strength, and low maintenance requirements provide long-lasting and aesthetically pleasing solutions for any outdoor setting.
However, teak consumption does raise some environmental concerns, particularly regarding the depletion of teak forests. Therefore, the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification ensures that teak products are sourced responsibly, helping to protect natural ecosystems while maintaining the wood’s availability for future generations. If you are using teak wood for your outdoor projects, please do not forget to check whether your materials are satisfied with the FSC certificate since this standard is quite important for most customers.
Comparison between Durability
Plastic Wood: As an artificial wooden material that is completely made of recycled PE or PS plastic material, plastic timber is long-lasting with minimal maintenance requirements. It is strongly resistant to moisture, rain, rot and insects, which will not easily break or damage because of the harsh outdoor elements. Besides, since it does not contain any real wood components, it can live for an extremely long period outdoors. Statistic states that if plastic timber is carefully used and stored, its life span can last up to 25 years.
Teak Wood: Although teak wood is a natural wooden material, it is known for exceptional strength and resilience. The natural oil inside the teak material provides great protection, making it strong and resistant to various harsh outdoor elements. However, although teak has a long life span of over 40 years above ground, its in-ground life expectancy is around 25 years. It is also noticeable that teak will experience natural ageing when it is exposed outdoors for a long time. However, its silver ageing feature is welcomed by people and can be recovered with simple maintenance. If you prefer outdoor furniture with long-term use and unchanged aesthetics, plastic lumber is suitable for you!
Comparison between Aesthetic Appeals
Plastic Lumber: Since it is a type of artificial material that is made by machines, it provides a consistent and modern look that complements a variety of outdoor settings. Normally available in a wide range of colours and finishes, it offers flexibility to meet people’s diverse needs and preferences. Since it is 100% made of plastic material, its aesthetic appeal will not be diminished by outdoor elements, ensuring it maintains its original beauty over time.
Teak Wood: Teak wood is known for its warm and natural beauty, making it a preferred choice for elegant and luxurious outdoor furniture. Its unique grain, patterns and rich colour add a sense of sophistication, which is why it is highly valued in the furniture market. The long-time exposure to the outdoor elements causes teak to age gracefully, developing a silver-grey colour that many people find appealing. This natural ageing process is one of the reasons why teak is so popular in furniture making. Additionally, when teak furniture is frequently used or touched, its wooden colour will be enhanced and become brighter. These natural beauty and characters make it even more attractive as time goes on.
Environmental Impacts of Different Outdoor Woods
Plastic Wood: Plastic lumber is widely recognised as a sustainable and eco-friendly material, as it is made entirely from recyclable PE or PS plastic. By choosing plastic lumber for your outdoor furniture, we not only eliminate concerns about deforestation but also actively contribute to a healthier and greener environment. That is because plastic timber can be fully recycled when it comes to the end of its life, making it an excellent choice for those seeking environmentally conscious outdoor solutions.
Teak Wood: While teak wood is sourced from natural forests, it is a renewable resource when harvested responsibly. Therefore, for those concerned about the problem of deforestation, FSC certification is essential. It ensures that your teak wood is sourced sustainably and can help protect the ecosystems and maintain the forest’s health. This certification provides peace of mind that your teak products are environmentally responsible. When selling teak wood products, you will notice that most people care about whether your teak is FSC-certified or not.
Maintenance Requirements
Artificial Plastic Wood: Since plastic lumber is made from durable PE plastic, it requires very little maintenance. Unlike natural wood, it does not need sanding, sealing, or staining. To keep it looking its best, you can simply wipe away dust, dirt, or stains with a soft cloth or brush. This makes plastic lumber an ideal, low-maintenance choice for outdoor furniture and structures, offering both convenience and long-lasting performance.
Teak: Although teak wood is known for its durability and resistance to outdoor conditions, over time, it will naturally age and develop a silver-grey colour. If you prefer to maintain its rich, golden-brown colour, regular oiling and cleaning are necessary. Without proper care, teak can weather and lose its original vibrancy. Therefore, periodic maintenance can ensure that teak furniture retains its aesthetic appeal after a long period.
Cost Comparison
Plastic Timber: Plastic lumber is typically more affordable than natural wood, making it an economical choice for outdoor furniture. It offers both aesthetic appeal and exceptional durability, providing a long-lasting alternative to traditional wood at a lower cost.
Teak Wood: Teak wood is considered a premium material, which often comes with a higher initial cost. However, its long-lasting durability and timeless aesthetic make it a worthwhile investment. The value of teak is reflected not only in its strength and resistance to outdoor elements but also in its ability to enhance the beauty of any space.
How to Select the Suitable Outdoor Wood Material for Your Projects?
After reading this article, you should have a clearer understanding of plastic wood, teak wood and their differences. Now, it is time to choose the one that best suits your outdoor project. Selecting the right material will easily elevate your outdoor ambience and ensure the long-lasting beauty of your products. Be sure to consider factors that matter most to you, such as budget, maintenance requirements, desired aesthetics, and sustainability.
If you are looking for a type of outdoor wood material that is both stylish and durable, I suggest plastic lumber to you. Since plastic lumber that is 100% made of high-quality PE or PS plastic does not require frequent care and maintenance of people. It can live outdoors for a long period with exceptional beauty and durability. If you are interested in buying sustainable artificial wood materials or still have other related questions, feel free to reach out to our experts—we are here to help!
