It's pretty much a given that most houses are framed in wood (2x12, 2x4, 1" sheets, et cetera). I, for one, don't care if wood is used, it's sight-unseen. How about plastics? Would it be more cost effective? I'm not sure. Such materials would not age like wood and that stuff can be composed with specific physical attributes, varying the elasticity, yield/tensile, strength, hardness, and crush rating characteristics, even surpassing wood, without the inherent susceptibility to grain inconsistencies/irregularities, humidity, and temperature changes found in traditional lumber. I found out that there are many firms currently producing wood composites and even pure substitutes like high-density polyethylene (HDPE) lumber or fiberglass-reinforced or polystyrene-blended designs (which are used even in heavy duty commercial applications, such as with rail ties). Additionally, as I understand it, sustainability issues are being addressed with more vigor with the use of bioplastics in these configurations, which can reuse biomass such as dead plant life and garbage. Cool stuff, indeed. I'm sure that one day the forests will remain untouched except for a small portion harvested for furniture, crafts, and the like - with even those largely switching to non-petroleum plastic alternatives.
No comments:
Post a Comment