Versatile Recycled Plastic Lumber – Fencing, Decking & Landscaping
Heavy-Duty Artificial Lumber | Zero-maintenance, Long-Lasting | Recycled Plastic Lumber
Recycled plastic lumber provides a durable construction material manufactured from 100% recycled plastic and designed as a long-lasting alternative to timber, concrete and metal.
Unlike traditional materials, it requires no maintenance, will not rot, split or splinter, and is backed by a 25-year guarantee while remaining easy to cut, drill and work with using standard woodworking tools.
It is widely used for fencing, boardwalks, steps and groundwork projects across schools, councils, parks, and NHS sites.
British Recycled Plastic is a trusted UK manufacturer and supplier of recycled plastic lumber, delivering sustainable, UK-made products engineered for decades of reliable outdoor performance.
Shop our Recycled Plastic Boards & Artificial Lumber
Important: Recycled plastic fencing must be installed using the correct guidance to ensure proper performance. For fencing over 1.5m high, posts should be made of concrete or reinforced.
There is a minimum order of £400+VAT for lumber. This is for a total lumber purchase, not per profile size.
Our lumber is not available to buy online or from our office. Please phone us for the best price or fill in a lumber project quote below.
Plastic Lumber vs Wood
| Feature/Metric | Traditional Timber (Treated Softwood/Hardwood) | British Recycled Plastic – Premium Recycled Polyolefin Blend |
|---|---|---|
| Maintenance | High. Annual staining, sanding, varnishing and chemical treating needed. | Zero. Never needs painting, staining or oiling. Easy to clean with basic washing. |
| Lifespan & Durability | 5–10 years is typical, even with regular treatment. Rots, warps and cracks. | 25+ years guaranteed. Impervious to rot, insects, frost and damp. Will not crack. |
| Safety | Splinters over time and cracks, creating liability risk. Absorbs moisture, encouraging moss. | 100% splinter and crack -free. Non-porous — does not absorb water, resists moss and algae. |
| Vandalism & Fire | Vulnerable to carving and surface damage, spray-painting or bring ignited. | Graffiti easily washes off with solvent. Highly resistant to surface burns. |
| Environmental Impact | Relies on felling trees, contributing to deforestation and loss of carbon-storing woodland. Needs repeated replacement over time. | Made from recycled UK plastic waste — keeping trees in the ground and plastic out of landfill. Fully recyclable at end of life. |
| Total Lifecycle Cost | Low purchase price but high recurring costs: treatment, replacement parts, and labour. | Higher upfront cost but zero ongoing maintenance. Lower whole-life ownership costs due to minimal maintenance and replacement requirements. |
Recycled Plastic Lumber Technical Guidance:
Why Choose Recycled Plastic Lumber?
Our recycled plastic lumber (also known as plastic wood or artificial lumber) provides a durable, maintenance-free alternative to traditional timber for landscaping, construction and outdoor infrastructure projects.
Manufactured from 100% British recycled plastic, our plastic wood won’t rot, splinter, absorb moisture or require painting, staining or treatment, and is backed by a 25-year guarantee.
Suitable for schools, councils, NHS estates, nature reserves, commercial developments and even domestic settings, recycled plastic boards deliver long-term performance in even the most demanding outdoor environments.
The Benefits of Plastic Lumber vs Wood
- Rot-proof and weather-resistant – no warping, cracking or degrading like timber.
- Maintenance-free – no paint, staining or additional treatments required.
- Designed to last for decades outdoors, with a 25-year guarantee
- A sustainable choice from production to end of life – manufactured from 100% British recycled plastic and fully recyclable when no longer needed.
- Easy to work with – can be cut, drilled and fixed using standard woodworking tools.
- UV-resistant and splinter-free – ideal for sunny, public spaces and schools where splinters could cause injury.
Where to Use Recycled Plastic Lumber
Our recycled plastic wood and tongue and groove board are widely used for:
- Boardwalks and decking in parks, by ponds and throughout nature reserves
- Fencing and barriers along public pathways, farms and countryside
- Raised beds and garden edging in community gardens, schools and allotments
- Fishing pegs and platforms
- Outdoor furniture and seating at home or in hospitality venues
- Retaining structures and landscaping
- School playgrounds, council projects and NHS campuses
- Nature reserves and coastal infrastructure
Installation & Technical Guidance
Cutting recycled plastic lumber can be done using a standard mitre saw and drilled in the same way as timber. For external installations, we recommend stainless steel or brass fixings to maximise lifespan and prevent corrosion. Drilling pilot holes is essential for larger fixings, and elongated fixing slots may be required on longer runs to accommodate thermal expansion.
Like most construction materials, plastic wood expands and contracts with temperature changes. British Recycled Plastic lumber has an average linear expansion rate of 0.109mm/m/°C, so appropriate expansion gaps should be incorporated during installation.
Storage and Protection
Recycled plastic boards should be stored flat and supported to prevent distortion prior to installation. Where posts are mechanically driven into the ground, protective sleeves or rams should be used to prevent damage.
With exceptional durability, minimal maintenance requirements and proven performance across thousands of commercial and public-sector installations, British Recycled Plastic lumber offers a smarter, longer-lasting alternative to traditional timber.
Shop Recycled Plastic Lumber – Rectangle Profiles
Shop Plastic Lumber – Square Profiles
Shop Plastic Lumber Decking
British Recycled Plastic decking is the maintenance-free solution for building a wide variety of structures, such as fishing pegs, boardwalks, cycleways, viewing and pond-dipping platforms. Recycled plastic decking is also used in domestic settings to ensure a non-slip surface. Unlike composite decking that contains wood pulp, our material won’t degrade or crumble, ensuring a longer lifespan. We’ve collaborated with BDAA to create wheelchair- accessible fishing platforms, ensuring everyone can enjoy the water safely.
Shop Recycled Plastic Edging
Our recycled plastic edging is the perfect solution for accessible footpaths, especially in sensitive areas like marshlands. Designed to sit slightly above ground level, it provides a tactile guide for those with visual impairments, allowing them to feel the edging with a cane for easier navigation. Made from durable, sustainable materials, our edging supports inclusive access by creating safe, clear pathways for people of all abilities.
Shop Recycled Plastic Fencing & Posts
Shop Recycled Plastic Knee Rail Barrier Fencing
Whatever reason you have for delineating space our 100mm x 140mm support posts with V-Shaped Heads will ensure your knee rail fence lasts for many years to come. Pair with 100mm x 100mm square cross bars and our barrier fence straps to make your birds mouth fence complete.
Technical Information about ordering British Recycled Plastic Artificial Lumber
We can provide artificial lumber posts, planks and boards to you in full lengths, or we can cut them to your requirements.
Before you request a quote, please read the following guidance notes to help you find the easiest and most economical way to have your order transported.
There are four main considerations:
Speed of shipping: Lumber purchased in full lengths will generally be dispatched the fastest, as it doesn’t need to pass through our workshop. However, it will occupy three pallets-worth of space in a wagon at a cost of around £60 per pallet space. The lead time for cut lumber varies according to the volume of work we have passing through our workshop. As such, if you’re working to a tight schedule, we’d recommend giving the office a call to check on timescales.
Access: If you have restricted access to your property and will be unable to accept delivery by articulated truck, then your delivery can be made in a smaller vehicle. This smaller truck will be around the same size as a small bin lorry. Such vehicles can only offload via a tail-lift, so you must ensure that no item on your order exceeds 2000mm in length (see notes on offloading).
Cost: As mentioned above, the more pallet spaces your order occupies, the more your delivery will cost. Planning your project and carefully considering the lengths of lumber you work with can make considerable savings.
1200mm – 1 pallet space
2400mm – 2 pallet spaces
3600mm – 3 pallet spaces
Offloading: The maximum length which can fit on a tail-lift is 2000mm. If there is one piece of lumber on your order which exceeds 2000mm, you will be responsible for offloading the entire order yourself, via the curtain-side of the vehicle. Offloading will require either the use of a forklift, or manual “handballing”. If you wish to handball, please note that you will not be permitted access to the flatbed of the vehicle and you will need to offload from ground level. Due to drivers’ time constraints, two able-bodied people are required for every 50 pieces of lumber in an order.
The golden rule for the most economical and easy-to-handle delivery is this – keep all of your lengths at 1200mm or less, wherever possible. If you do this, you’ll only pay for one pallet space (weight-dependent), your order can be tail-lifted to the ground and it’ll fit in a small truck. That’s why we designed our raised bed kits around 1000mm panels.
In order to provide you with a quote for cut lumber, we will need a cutting list with measurements in metric units.
We operate rather like a timber yard, so will need a code, a quantity and lengths. We regret that we are not able to design on your behalf, or to interpret sketches, technical drawings, photographs or written descriptions.
Delivery information for lumber. Please contact our office for more information on 01422 419 555
Here’s an example of a cutting list:
- 24no. 100×100 Lumber BLK
- 5no. 100 x 100 fence posts with point BLK
Recycled Plastic Lumber FAQs
Can British Recycled Plastic lumber/fencing be worked like wood?
Recycled plastic lumber works like wood in most scenarios, but how you work with the material differs.
Factors such as thermal expansion need to be considered, and we recommend you use our technical guide. For example, we would never recommend stapling, nailing or welding plastic lumber, and suggest pre-drilling holes and using mechanical fixings.
What is reclaimed lumber?
For a durable, sustainable, and hassle-free alternative, British recycled plastic boards are the superior choice over reclaimed wood.
How long does plastic lumber last?
British Recycled plastic lumber has a 25-year guarantee, but is designed to last for decades. In most cases, plastic lumber can last 50 years or more, offering exceptional durability and sustainability for your projects.
Can you paint plastic lumber?
You don’t need to paint plastic lumber. Our recycled plastic wood is available in a range of colours, reducing the need for painting or finishing. It is technically possible to paint plastic lumber; however, the material has a non-porous surface, meaning paint does not adhere well and is likely to peel or flake over time.
British Recycled Plastic lumber is designed with UV-resistant colour to maintain its look for years, making it a low-maintenance alternative to traditional timber.
Can you supply recycled plastic planks cut to size?
Yes, British Recycled Plastic can cut your material to your specified sizes for a small charge.
Does recycled plastic wood fade or crack?
Never. Plastic wood is non-porous, which means it doesn’t absorb moisture. This means there’s no risk of fading or cracking.
How do you maintain plastic lumber?
Maintaining artificial lumber is easy. A simple wipe down with warm, soapy water is all you’ll need. Alternatively, an annual jet wash can help if the lumber is placed in an outdoor space prone to sap or moss buildup.
Is artificial lumber safe to use in schools?
Absolutely! Our plastic lumber has been compliance tested to the highest standard to confirm there is zero microplastic shedding and that it is entirely safe for public use, including around children in playgrounds.
We already have so many schools switching to recycled plastic picnic tables, benches, and raised beds to enhance the experience of their students without the ongoing maintenance costs linked to timber structures.
Is plastic lumber vandal-resistant?
Yes. Our high-density, recycled plastic boards are non-porous, meaning graffiti and other mark-making materials will have a tough time sticking to the surface. And graffiti that does stick can be scrubbed off with ease. This makes it an ideal, sustainable choice for councils.
