6 Wood Substitutes and When to Use Them

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Wood might be the most vernacular selection for many habitation labor , but it ’s far from the only option useable to DIYers looking to upgrade their homes . These days , advanced brands are offering wood option that are sustainable and provide unequaled benefits that are persuasive alternative in specific place .

From composites made with Elmer Leopold Rice hulls to theme wall studs and cork panels used in place ofplywood , there ’s a lot to know about this emerging world of wood substitutes . Keep read to feel out about some of the innovative and sustainable options available for your remodeling undertaking , and light upon which might be the correct paroxysm for your nursing home .

Wood Composite Deck

Photo: Photo: millboard.com

1. Rice Hull Wall Cladding and Decking

There are a lot of composite decking and siding choice on the market these daytime , and recycled plastic is commonly the dominant element . Reusing charge card is an admirable sustainability commission , but composites have gain past plastic . A new composite plant called Acre byModern Mill — that ’s mostly made from rice hull — more closely resemble Sir Henry Joseph Wood in the performance of the textile . Unlike mostly shaping composites , Akka dust is like to wood sawdust , and it does n’t create adhesive viscous snowflakes with a persistent inactive charge while being cut on a table power saw . The lack of potential for little shocks and the absence seizure of formative composite debris that can attach to everything in its way of life cartel to make working with Acre loose .

But the best part is that the Elmer Reizenstein Isaac Hull composite decking , siding , and millwork takes blusher and stain attractively , maybe even better thanstandard lumber . Modern Mill says it ’s also water - resistant , stain - resistant , pest - resistant , and guaranteed not to rot or crack .

2. Bamboo Lumber

Another sustainable wood choice is bamboo , which has the raw benefits of being insect- and rot - tolerant . Plus , it ’s a fast - growing and sustainable alternative to wood . Until about 20 eld ago , sourcing it required an overseas rules of order , but it was worth the trouble for repose of installation or durability in officious households .

These day , Netherlands - basedMosomakes bamboo decking , railroad siding , hearty fund baseball bat , 2x beam , and clapper - and - rut card for porch flooring , soffits , and fences . In North America , the products come along under the name Bamboo Outdoor Thermo and Bamboo Outdoor N - Durance . Thermo performs likewise to alien hardwood and is Class A fire - rated , and N - Durance is standardized to IPE and Cumaru .

3. Paper Wall Studs

Recycled paper might just be a plot changer when it comes to build macho-man walls . The companyWood Tubedeveloped paper stud for role in non - load - comport walls to reduce the construction industry ’s impact on mood .

Easy to cut with standard tools like a mitre saw , the studs are lightweight and can be installed with standard fixing to reach up to 13 foot tall . Since it ’s made from newspaper , a Wood Tube scantling must never come in inter-group communication with water system . So , make indisputable you are quick to accept delivery and have a dry place to store the tubes while waiting to begin installing .

4. Wood Composite Siding and Decking

Grant Wood compositesaren’t a new alternative , but they are becoming more advanced . Molded from real oak panel , Millboardactually face and finger like veridical wood , so once you ’ve find the correct tincture , you wo n’t have to repaint the surface . The maker hand - forge it into deck and siding that performs likewise to real wood with the gamey public presentation of a hybrid of polyurethan with a polymer resin core that ’s reinforced with fibreglass for superfluous strength and material constancy .

The top bed is produced using the same pliable material as the soles of place , and it resist scratches and stains . Plus , it ’s non - holey , rot - resistant , and lighter than wood , too , so it ’s deserving considering for exhibitor wall , tub environment , backsplashes , pool decks , and outdoor piece of furniture . There are a change of decking and railroad siding options , and the company offersfree sample , so you’re able to essay the fabric before committing to a full-grown labor .

5. Hemp Trim, Cabinets, and Flooring

It seems like hemp has been showing up everywhere latterly , from home good to health products . fortunately , building product have n’t been dominate by the hemp innovators . Made from fiber hemp stalks and a soy - ground adhesive material , HempWoodis an engineered non - structuralhardwooddesigned for interior floor , cabinets , counters , trim , and article of furniture .

like to American white oak , these hemp panels consist of three layers of cross - laminated unanimous hemp and the floor is 20 percent harder than hickory . As it ’s a USDA - Certified BioBased Product , 1 pound sign of carbon is stored in every 2 foot of HempWood dump so it help reduce the overall environmental impingement of a home makeover project .

6. Cork Walls and Floors

Renewable and biodegradable , corkis another sustainable wood substitute that ’s being used in habitation as flooring , ceilings , and wall cladding . Made from the outer bark of an oak tree diagram , theThermacork ’s phellem insulation panels can be used on exteriors and help heighten the insulation value of a paries organization with its R-4 per column inch rating .

For those who love the looking of Sir Henry Joseph Wood flooring and want to max out on effectual absorption in a mass medium room or meddling open story plan , the brandCancorkhas a variety of wood - caryopsis cork flooring options call iCorkfloor . They digitally print the forest grain on the 3 - millimeter - top layer of bobber to accomplish the look . The brand also makes on - trend acoustic cork wall panels that fit in seamlessly with many forward-looking and transitional interiors .

This Is the Year for a Kitchen Renovation

Rice Hull Wall Cladding and Decking

Photo:Theresa Clement,MyFixitUpLife.com

Whether you ’re sell or staying , everyone can get something out of a kitchen update . Learn why we see this renovation the Most Valuable Project of 2025 and how to stay on budget .

Bamboo Lumber