Board Properties - FAQs
What is mineral plastic lumber?
Lumberock® is a solid material made from the combination of HDPE plastic and a non-organic mineral fill. The mineral additive increases the strength of our boards and decreases the expansion/contraction common to all plastic lumber. It also protects against mildew, rot, mold and insect infestation because there are no organic components on which these can feed or grow.
How long will Lumberock® last?
Lumberock® comes with a Limited Lifetime Warranty that protects against cracking, splintering, peeling, and rotting. With proper care and a small amount of maintenance, a Lumberock® deck or dock will be the last one you'll ever need to install.
What kind of maintenance is needed?
Lumberock® is engineered to be maintenance-free, aside from the occasional cleaning. You never have to stain, seal, sand or spray for insects. For a deep clean, use a power washer.
Does the mineral expand or contract with temperature change?
Yes, plastic inherently expands and contracts with changes in temperature, however the mineral-fill used in our boards reduces the amount of thermal expansion that will occur. Lumberock® expands/contracts on the butt ends of the boards and requires a small gap between the boards to accommodate this. The width of the board will not be affected by thermal expansion. See our Expansion/Contraction Table for installation guidelines.
Does Lumberock® fade?
Everything fades in direct sunlight, but Lumberock® fades so slightly you will probably never notice any color change. Our UV color protector ensures this.
How does Lumberock® resist mold and mildew?
The closed molecular formula used to create Lumberock® contains no organic or fibrous materials. Because of this, mold and mildew cannot penetrate the board and have no source of nutrition. However, mold and mildew may adhere to dust or dirt on the surface of the board. A quick cleaning with a pressure washer will remove all dirt, grime, mold and mildew instantly.
Will insects or termites penetrate Lumberock®?
No, Lumberock® is a hard, non-porous material with no organic fills on which insects can feed.
Will I get splinters when walking on Lumberock®?
No, Lumberock® Marine Grade Decking will never splinter, crack or peel. See our Limited Lifetime Warranty.
Can I use Lumberock® in or around fuel docking areas?
No, the warranty becomes void if Lumberock® comes in contact with petroleum based products. Safety standards and most building codes require that an alternative material be used in these areas. Refer to your local building codes for guidelines.
Colors - FAQs
Will colors be the same from manufacturing runs?
Although we make every effort possible to make sure our colors are consistently matched from run to run, slight color variations may occur due to the plastic raw materials available at the time of the run.
Can Lumberock® be stained or painted?
Stains and paint will not penetrate or adhere to the surface of our boards and will flake or peel if applied. Lumberock® is a virtually maintenance-free material that does not require the cost or labor of sanding or staining.
Will anything permanently stain Lumberock®?
The non-porous mineral plastic composite material will not allow stains to adhere to Lumberock® Marine Grade Decking. Spills like grease, ketchup, sun tan oils, ground dirt and so on are easily cleaned with standard household cleaners or standard deck cleaners.
Is Lumberock® scratch resistant?
Lumberock®'s hard, durable surface prevents scratches and because we use consistent coloring throughout the boards, the appearance of scratches is even further minimized. A light application of heat with a heat gun or propane torch will eliminate minor scratches that may appear.
Installation - FAQs
Can Lumberock® be used for structural purposes?
Lumberock® is not to be used for off-the-ground deck framing but can be used as a base on a flat surface such as a cement patio.
What tools are needed for installation?
No special tools are required to install Lumberock®. You can cut, drill and router the boards using the same carpentry tools you would if working with wood.
How should I fasten Lumberock®?
Lumberock® should be fastened to the deck frame using standard fastening systems, stainless steel screws or counter-snap screws. Click here for details and recommendations regarding Fastening.
Do I have to pre-drill Lumberock® during installation?
No pre-drilling is necessary during installation. Lumberock® will not mushroom or pigtail around screw heads, and drilling will not distort the surface of the boards.
What is the proper joist span?
For 5/4x6 boards, we recommend 16" on-centers for residential projects and 12" on-centers for commercial/angle projects. For 2x6 boards, we recommend 24" on center for residential projects and 16" on-center for commercial/angle projects.
