A composite material is one that has been manufactured using a combination of two dissimilar materials with both possessing varying chemical and physical properties. When mixed together, they produce a sturdier material that is stronger than both of their separate halves and can be specifically designed to be light, electrically resistant, or aesthetically pleasing.
Continue reading to discover five unexpected products made with composite materials for your home and garden:
- Contrived Bamboo
A little-known but eco-friendly product entirely made from composite materials is contrived bamboo which can be used to make a plethora of household and garden items.
Essentially, contrived bamboo is the mixture of bamboo fibers together with recycled plastic and is used to make a variety of eco-friendly products such as cups, plates, cutlery, and boxes of all shapes, sizes, and colors.
- Decking and Fence Panels
Decking boards and fence panels made from composite materials are the most durable and lightweight alternative to wooden traditional panels and are available in a wide variety of colors, sizes, and textures.
Composite decking boards can not only be used to create beautiful and functional outside seating and dining areas, they can also be utilized to install a winding path or walkway through the center of your garden, garden chairs, and even tables and aesthetically stunning planters and raised flower beds.
- Baths and Hot Tubs
In fact, the majority of hot tubs and home spas manufactured in the United Kingdom and further afield are constructed using composite materials. A reinforced layer of fiberglass ensures a waterproof coating on the hot tub and makes the whole tub substantially lighter and therefore easier to transport and move around the home.
- Window Frames
A composite window frame is an on-trend and eco-friendly way of making your home’s exterior more aesthetically impressive. Composite window frames are made from a timber or grained alternative uPVC material which is combined with a plastic, wooden-looking material known in the construction industry as foil.
Window frames manufactured using composite materials require less maintenance than their traditional wooden counterparts, are recyclable, and increase the energy efficiency of your home on the whole. Other benefits of upgrading to composite windows frames are the supreme cost-effectiveness of the materials and the durability and longevity of the product.
- Absorbent Concrete
Much more likely to be found in the foundations of new-build houses, absorbent concrete is a revolutionary material that is far more efficient and just as affordable and is therefore fast-becoming the number one choice for the construction industry.
Absorbent concrete is a composite material consisting of clay, limestone, filtered water, and an agent that provides structural stability such as gravel, stone, or rock. Instead of letting in minimal amounts of moisture, absorbent concrete absorbs significantly more water, much like a standard bathroom sponge. Absorbent concrete utilized in your garden results in the ground becoming significantly safer to walk on, especially in the winter months.
*Photos by Ron Lach
