[Greenbuilding] best lumber for raised vegetable beds

[Tim Vireo Keating]

Given the plastics used by the wood-plastic composite manufacturers, 
the same would hold true.

All the RPL manufacturers of which I know use UV stabilizers (such as 
carbon black).

Hey, if the US Army Corps uses the material for tank bridges, I'm 
sure it'll work for raised beds.

tim keating

At 4:04 PM -0600 4/15/11, William R Bloom wrote:
>Be careful with the material you spec.
>
>
>"Only materials made with either all plastic components or plastic 
>and fiberglass will resist the elements outdoors for 200 years or 
>more (the estimate for HDPE RPL or RPLs with HDPE and fiberglass).
>These materials do not stain, warp, rot or take on moisture, or 
>leach any chemicals. They are virtually non-reactive with water and 
>other water-based solutions."
>
>HDPE or high density polyethylene has poor UV resistance causing it 
>to rot when exposed to sunlight.  It can be clad with a UV resistant 
>cladding or otherwise stabilized. The recreational vehicle industry 
>learned this lesson in the 1960's when the exterior plastic fenders, 
>exterior trim pieces and other parts began to rot off the sides of 
>the motorhomes from sunlight exposure.  Its amazing how quickly this 
>can occur.
>
>Reference:  http://www.dynalabcorp.com/technical_info_hd_polyethylene.asp
>
>I would assume/hope that the plastic lumber manufacturers use a 
>stabilizing agent when forming their products. It wouldn't scare me 
>away, but I would want to be sure its UV stable.
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