Plastic lumber can provide a long-term alternative to traditional materials for public infrastructure, zoos & parks, recreation facilities, transportation projects, and other applications where durability and reduced maintenance are important.
Public projects often have different priorities than private construction. Material selection may need to consider service life, maintenance requirements, public exposure, environmental conditions, accessibility, specifications, and the long-term cost of replacement.
Start with the project — and the conditions it must survive. Tell us where the material will be used, what it will be exposed to, the expected loads or spans, and what you are trying to improve or replace. We'll help identify plastic lumber options worth considering.
Plastic lumber can provide a durable, low-maintenance alternative to wood in parks, playgrounds, recreation facilities, and other public spaces where materials are exposed to weather, moisture, ground contact, insects, and continuous public use. Its resistance to rot and decay can help reduce recurring maintenance and replacement in applications intended to serve the community for many years.
Applications to consider: Park benches • picnic tables • playground components • boardwalks • pedestrian bridges • trail structures • landscape timbers • raised planters • equipment enclosures • fencing and barriers • recreation facility components.
Questions to consider: Public use • accessibility requirements • load and span requirements • ground contact • fastening method • surface temperature • environmental exposure • structural or non-structural requirements.
Plastic lumber can be considered for pedestrian bridges, boardwalks, walkways, and similar public infrastructure where moisture, weather, ground contact, and difficult maintenance conditions can shorten the service life of traditional materials. Structural plastic lumber can also provide options for applications where load, span, and structural performance are part of the project requirements.
Applications to consider: Bridge decking • pedestrian bridges • boardwalks • walkways • trail bridges • observation platforms • approaches • curbing • railing components • structural supports • blocking and spacers.
Questions to consider: Design loads • unsupported span • support spacing • deflection requirements • fastening method • wet or submerged conditions • temperature exposure • slip resistance • structural requirements • applicable project specifications.
Plastic lumber can provide a durable alternative to wood in public waterfront and marine applications where constant moisture, wet/dry cycles, ground or water contact, and difficult maintenance conditions can shorten the life of traditional materials. Structural and non-structural options allow plastic lumber to be considered for both load-bearing and non-load-bearing components in demanding waterfront environments.
Applications to consider: Public docks • fishing piers • waterfront boardwalks • boat ramps • kayak launches • marina components • fender systems • rub rails • bulkhead components • piling applications • shoreline access structures.
Questions to consider: Freshwater or saltwater exposure • wet or submerged conditions • design loads • unsupported span • impact and abrasion • fastening hardware • UV and temperature exposure • structural requirements • applicable project specifications.
Plastic lumber can be considered for public works and infrastructure applications where traditional materials are affected by moisture, corrosion, ground contact, chemicals, or repeated maintenance. Its resistance to rot and decay can make it useful for components installed in difficult-to-access locations or applications where extending service life and reducing future replacement are priorities.
Applications to consider: Utility supports • equipment pads and supports • drainage structures • culvert components • access platforms • utility enclosures • pipe and conduit supports • blocking and spacers • protective barriers • maintenance facility components • infrastructure rehabilitation projects.
Questions to consider: Load requirements • ground contact • soil and drainage conditions • chemical exposure • operating temperature • fastening and anchoring method • accessibility for future maintenance • structural or non-structural requirements • applicable project specifications.
Plastic lumber can be considered for transportation and transit applications where components are exposed to weather, moisture, road contaminants, repeated use, or difficult maintenance conditions. Its resistance to rot and corrosion-related deterioration can make it useful for selected components where long service life and reduced maintenance are priorities.
Applications to consider: Transit facility components • pedestrian platforms • equipment supports • maintenance facility components • barriers and curbing • signage supports • vehicle and equipment areas • transportation infrastructure components.
Questions to consider: Load requirements • impact exposure • fastening and anchoring method • operating temperature • UV and weather exposure • dimensional requirements • public accessibility • structural or non-structural requirements • applicable project specifications.
Plastic lumber can provide a durable, low-maintenance material option for public signage, streetscape, and community improvement projects where components are exposed to weather, moisture, ground contact, landscaping equipment, and continuous public use. Available in a range of sizes and colors, plastic lumber can also provide design flexibility while reducing many of the maintenance concerns associated with traditional wood.
Applications to consider: Sign posts and supports • wayfinding structures • park and trail signage • community entrance features • benches • planters • bollards • fencing and barriers • landscape borders • streetscape components • decorative public-space structures.
Questions to consider: Dimensions and appearance • color requirements • ground contact • fastening and anchoring method • impact exposure • UV and temperature exposure • public accessibility • structural or non-structural requirements • applicable project specifications.
Many public projects begin with a simple question: Is there a way to stop replacing this?
If an existing wood, metal, or concrete component is deteriorating because of moisture, corrosion, insects, ground contact, weather, or repeated maintenance, plastic lumber may provide another option worth evaluating.
Tell us what you're replacing — and why it failed.
Existing dimensions, photographs, drawings, specifications, load requirements, environmental conditions, and expected service life can all help identify appropriate material options.
Our goal is to help you evaluate the application, compare the available options, and provide the product information needed for your project team to make an informed material decision.
