Plastic lumber is made from either virgin or recycled plastic. Sometimes, sawdust is added to the final material. It both looks and feels just like wood. It can be 2-3 times more expensive than regular wood. Typically, plastic lumber does not absorb paint or glue, and thus can not be easily painted on.

Most types of plastic lumber are made from high density polyethylene, (HDPE) some low density polyethylene (LDPE) and some from polypropylene (PP) or a combination.

Unlike traditional wooden timber, plastic is water-, fire- and rot-resistant. This material is highly durable. It also performs well both in extremely hot and cold environments.

Some types of plastic lumber can be recycled, but it can not be biodegraded.