Straightforward answers about Texas Plastic Lumber, what we do and how we work. If your question is not answered here, call, text or send us a message. We may not know every answer immediately, but we will help you find the right direction.
Working with Texas Plastic Lumber begins with a conversation—not with knowing an exact product number. Tell us what you are building, replacing or trying to solve. We will ask questions about the application and help determine which material, profile, length and color may fit. From there, we confirm the project and delivery details, prepare a quote showing the material, freight and applicable sales tax, and send an invoice after you approve the quote. Once payment is completed, the order is placed with the manufacturer. Most material is produced for the order. Production time generally ranges from one to six weeks, followed by approximately four to six business days in transit. We will keep you informed as the order moves from production to delivery.
WHERE ARE YOU LOCATED?
Texas Plastic Lumber is located in Spring, Texas—just north of Houston and just south of The Woodlands. We serve customers throughout Texas and nationwide, with products shipping from several manufacturing locations.
CAN I STOP BY AND PICK UP THE PLASTIC LUMBER I NEED?
Unfortunately, we do not maintain a local warehouse or keep inventory available for pickup. Most orders are produced or selected for the customer’s particular application and shipped from the appropriate manufacturer.
WHY DON’T YOU STOCK PLASTIC LUMBER?
Plastic lumber is available in too many combinations of formulations, profiles, actual dimensions, lengths and colors for one warehouse to keep everything customers may need. Maintaining inventory would also add warehouse rent, labor, insurance, handling equipment and other costs that would ultimately be passed along to the customer. We have found it more practical and cost-effective to ship the material you actually want—in the appropriate shape, length, formulation and color—all neat and tidy.
WHY DON’T YOU SELL TREX OR FURNITURE-GRADE PLASTIC LUMBER?
Trex and similar products serve the established consumer composite-decking market. Furniture-grade plastic lumber is another specialized category with manufacturers and sellers focused specifically on that business. We already have our hands full with structural and non-structural plastic lumber for commercial, OEM, municipal, agricultural, marine and specialty applications. We stay in our lane and work hard to know that lane well.Commercial picnic tables, benches and similar public-use projects may still fall within our scope when they use the same durable, commercial-grade profiles we supply.
YOU SAY YOU KNOW PLASTIC LUMBER. WHY SHOULD I TRUST TEXAS PLASTIC LUMBER?
You should not trust us simply because we say that we know plastic lumber. Trust should be earned by asking the right questions, providing useful information and being honest about what the material can—and cannot—do. We begin with the application rather than immediately trying to sell a board. We consider how the material will be used, whether the application is structural or non-structural, the environment, dimensions, support spacing, temperature, fabrication and other project requirements. We work with multiple manufacturers because no single manufacturer is the best answer for every application. When plastic lumber is not the right choice—or when a decision requires a qualified engineer or another professional—we will tell you.
WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY “THE 4TH BUILDING MATERIAL”?
For generations, most projects have been built primarily with metal, concrete or wood. Plastic lumber provides another category of material with its own properties, advantages and limitations. We are not suggesting that plastic lumber should replace every traditional material. We believe it deserves a place alongside them—particularly where resistance to moisture, rot, insects, chemicals or ongoing maintenance can provide lasting value. Metal - rusts, Concrete - cracks. Wood - rots. Plastic Lumber -may be the right material depending on the application.
GROWING WITH US
IS TEXAS PLASTIC LUMBER HIRING?
We are not hiring at this time, but we expect that to change soon as the company and the plastic-lumber market continue to develop. We are especially interested in people who understand particular industries or applications and can help customers make informed material decisions. If that describes you, you are highly welcome to introduce yourself so we can keep the conversation open.
IS TEXAS PLASTIC LUMBER LOOKING FOR DISTRIBUTORS OR MARKET PARTNERS?
Yes. We are interested in speaking with distributors, fabricators, contractors, market specialists and other companies that can help bring plastic lumber into industries and applications where it may provide value. We believe that, Together We Are Better. The right partner brings market knowledge and customer relationships; Texas Plastic Lumber brings product knowledge, manufacturer relationships and application support.
IS TEXAS PLASTIC LUMBER INTERESTED IN ADDITIONAL MANUFACTURERS?
We are always willing to have a conversation. It never hurts to talk. One thing we have learned is that every plastic-lumber manufacturer does something a little differently. Products may vary by formulation, grade, profile, actual dimensions, color, available length, production capabilities, lead time and service. We are interested in manufacturers that add a meaningful capability, solve a customer problem or serve an application better than the options currently available. We do not need more manufacturers merely to have a longer list—we want relationships that make us more useful to our customers.
ARE YOU INTERESTED IN SUPPLIERS OF FASTENERS AND COMPLEMENTARY PRODUCTS?
Yes. Plastic lumber is only one part of a completed project. Fasteners, washers, brackets, and other connection components can be just as important to performance. We are particularly interested in speaking with suppliers of stainless-steel fasteners and other products appropriate for structural, marine, agricultural, municipal and commercial plastic-lumber applications. If your products complement ours, please contact us.
DO YOU PROVIDE SAMPLES?
Yes. If you need a sample to evaluate the color, texture, finish or material for any other reason, just shout. Send us your name, company and shipping address, along with a brief description of what you are considering, and we will help identify the most useful sample. Samples are intended to help with preliminary product evaluation. Final color, texture and dimensions should be confirmed for the specific product before ordering.
ORDERS, FREIGHT AND PRODUCTION ARE THERE MINIMUM-ORDER REQUIREMENTS?
Minimum-order requirements vary by manufacturer and product. Some manufacturers require a minimum order by weight or dollar amount, while others do not have a formal minimum. Even when a manufacturer has no minimum, freight can make a very small order impractical. We will explain the applicable requirements and estimated freight before you make a purchasing decision.
WHY CAN FREIGHT COST SO MUCH ON A SMALL ORDER?
Full-length plastic lumber generally cannot travel through ordinary UPS or FedEx parcel service. Because of its length, weight and handling requirements, manufacturers normally ship it by less-than-truckload—or LTL—freight carrier or by full truckload. Unfortunately, the carrier may charge nearly the same minimum freight cost whether the shipment contains four boards or a much larger order. A small order of four 2" x 4" boards, for example, can carry an estimated freight charge of approximately $350 to $450, depending on the board length, shipping location and manufacturer. We recognize that freight is one of the largest obstacles facing customers who need smaller quantities. We are very conscious of the problem and continue looking for practical ways to reduce its effect.
WHAT ARE THE NORMAL PRODUCTION AND SHIPPING LEAD TIMES?
Most manufacturers do not stock every combination of formulation, profile, length and color or at all. Material is frequently produced for the order. Production lead times vary by manufacturer and current workload but generally range from approximately one to six weeks before shipment. Transit time begins after the order ships and is separate from the production lead time. LTL transit commonly takes approximately four to six business days, depending on the origin, destination and carrier. We will provide the best available lead-time estimate when preparing your quotation, but production and carrier schedules can change.
CAN I ORDER CUSTOM LENGTHS, COLORS OR TEXTURES?
Possibly—it depends on the product, manufacturer and order quantity. Each profile has a maximum production length. A board cannot be made longer than that established maximum, but shorter lengths may be available or cut from the standard production length. Custom colors, textures and certain other product variations may also be achievable when the order is large enough to justify a dedicated production run. Minimum quantities, setup costs, lead times and color-matching requirements vary by manufacturer. Tell us what you are trying to accomplish. We will determine whether an existing product fits the need or whether a custom production option is practical.
STILL HAVE A QUESTION?
Call or Text: 832-893-9001
You may also use our Contact Us form to tell us what you are working on.
You do not need to know exactly which product you need before contacting us. That is what we are here for.
