If you think pressure-treated lumber
is the only product that will stand
up to the elements, think again. A
composite material called Timbrex,
made of recycled thermoplastics and
recycled wood fibers, resists damage
from water, soil acidity, and insect
infestation better than treated wood,
according to the manufacturer.
Produced in shapes that match
standard dimensional lumber,
Timbrex looks like wood (without
the grain) and can be sawed, planed,
routed, or sanded using ordinary
woodworking tools (although
carbide cutting edges will last
longer). It also readily accepts nails
and screws without splitting, even
near the edges.
You don't need gloves to handle
Timbrex because it's non-toxic and
almost completely inert, making it
an ideal material for decks and
outdoor play equipment. Its chief
shortcoming is