Green Solution: Recycled Plastic Lawn Furniture and Composite Decking

Carter Oosterhouse uses recycled furniture and earth-friendly building materials in a backyard update. Find more green-building tips with Carter Can.

Carter Can : Episode HCCAN-201 -- More Projects »
beauty shot
Recycled plastic can be found everywhere these days, and its use in furniture is no exception. For this project, we used lawn furniture constructed of recycled high-density polyethylene materials made completely from post-consumer plastics. Unlike wood or regular plastics, this heavy duty furniture won’t warp, rot, crack or splinter, allowing you to enjoy it for several years.

Composite decking is made with a combination of wood waste and recycled plastic and is a great alternative to regular lumber. The material offers superior strength, longevity and dimensional stability. It lasts longer than ordinary wooden decks, and there is the bonus of less maintenance. It won’t warp, crack, splinter or rot like wood. And because the composite decking uses wood waste products, no old-growth trees are cut down. Plus it helps recycle plastic, making this product truly green.

Product Information for Items Used in this Room Makeover:

decking material TimberTech — TimberTech
deck canopy fabric (Dimone Falme #8021); cushion fabric (Derby Chili) — Sunbrella
mahogany deck furniture (Nautical and South Beach collections) — Poly-wood, Inc.
seating set; beverage tub, barstools — Wal-Mart
blue glass for fireplace and torch — American Specialty Glass
fire pit bench (Garden Treasures Salem Slat Bench #161827); umbrella (North Haven 9-foot #86145); throw pillows (Margot Coral #129916) — Lowe's
water kit (Beckett Small Complete #242981); cement wall paint (Behr Exterior Flat Amber Wave #260D-5) — Home Depot
deck mats (Mad Mats Oriental Turkish Rug #FM-OTU58-AQ, Mad Mats Scotch Rug #FM-SCO46-TB) — 3RLiving

Resources
decking material
TimberTech
Website: www.timbertech.com

project materials — Sunbrella
Website: www.sunbrella.com

project materials — Poly-Wood, Inc.
Website: www.polywoodinc.com

project materials — American Specialty Glass
Website: www.americanspecialtyglass.com

project materials — 3RLiving
Website: www.3rliving.com
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