Determined to raise the sustainability among decking and fencing marketers, Nature Composites of Torrington, WY says it is the first company to invent, make, and market such exterior products using wheat straw and recycled plastics as ingredients.
Natures Composites points out that nearly all major composite decking manufacturers offer products made of wood fiber mixed with a combination of recycled and virgin plastics. What it produces, adds the company, is an entirely new alternative to traditional lumber.
The products are branded as TerraFence and TerraDeck, and the company says they are 94% composed of reclaimed and rapidly renewable materials. "Offering a sustainable product alone isn't enough for today's homeowner, said Heath Van Eaton, VP of Natures Composites." "Price, style and great performance are more important than ever, giving our products some clear advantages."
The company claims its products are stronger, longer-lasting, environmentally-friendly, affordable, and more resistant to moisture, insects, and sunlight. Besides needing only minimal maintenance, Natures Composites says that, on average, its products are 10-30% less costly than other composites, and slightly more expensive than cedar.
TerraFence and TerraDecking come in six colors, need no staining, sealing or painting, and carry a 20-year warranty. Unlike slower-growing wood, wheat straw is harvested yearly, and the recycled plastics is sourced locally, thereby helping establish a market for this growing supply stream. Find more details at www.naturescomposites.com. —[email protected]
