"composite lumber intrigues me... seems like it could be a solid compromise between weight and durability if done right."
Composite lumber is definitely worth considering, especially for tiny homes where every bit of weight counts. I've seen it hold up surprisingly well in humid climates—my neighbor built a deck from composite boards, and after two rainy summers, it's still looking good without any warping or swelling. Plus, maintenance-wise it's a breeze compared to natural wood. Might be worth experimenting with a small project first though, just to see how you like working with it before committing fully.
Composite lumber does sound promising, especially if you're trying to balance weight and durability. Have you looked into the cost difference compared to traditional wood? Last time I checked, composite was a bit pricier upfront, but maybe the reduced maintenance and longer lifespan could offset that over time.
Also, how easy is it to cut and shape compared to regular lumber? I've heard mixed things—some folks say it's straightforward, others mention it can be a bit tricky with standard tools. Might be worth borrowing or renting specialized blades or bits if that's the case.
A friend of mine built some raised garden beds with composite boards last spring and they're holding up great so far. No rot or discoloration yet, even after heavy rains. Seems like it could be a solid choice for tiny home projects too, especially if you're in an area with unpredictable weather...
Composite lumber definitely has its perks, especially when it comes to resisting weather and moisture. But I'd be cautious about assuming the cost difference evens out quickly—sometimes it takes a good number of years before you really see those savings from reduced maintenance. As far as cutting goes, from my experience, composite boards can be a bit finicky. Standard saw blades might leave rough edges or even chip the material, so investing in carbide-tipped blades or blades specifically designed for composites usually helps.
One thing I noticed when working on a deck last summer was that composite lumber tends to expand and contract more noticeably with temperature changes compared to regular wood. You need to leave proper gaps and allowances during installation or you could end up with warping or buckling down the road. Has anyone here actually built structural framing (like walls or roof supports) using composite lumber? I'd be curious how it holds up structurally over time compared to traditional framing lumber...
"Has anyone here actually built structural framing (like walls or roof supports) using composite lumber? I'd be curious how it holds up structurally over time compared to traditional framing lumber..."
That's a good question, and honestly, I haven't seen composite lumber used much for structural framing. Most projects I've come across stick with traditional lumber for anything load-bearing. From a budget standpoint, composite seems like overkill for framing anyway, considering the cost difference. Plus, as you mentioned, the expansion and contraction issues could be problematic when it comes to stability.
One thing I'd add is that while composite might resist moisture better, if you're careful about sealing and maintaining regular wood framing properly from the start, you can still get pretty good longevity without the extra upfront cost. Has anyone compared treated lumber to composite in terms of long-term durability? I'm wondering if treated wood might be a better middle-ground option—cheaper than composite but still fairly resistant to moisture and insects.
I haven't personally built framing with composite lumber, but I did recently finish a small shed using treated lumber. A friend suggested composite at first, but after pricing it out...yeah, no thanks. Treated wood seemed like a decent compromise—cheaper than composite and still moisture-resistant enough for our rainy climate.
"if you're careful about sealing and maintaining regular wood framing properly from the start, you can still get pretty good longevity without the extra upfront cost."
Exactly my thinking. Curious if anyone's had treated lumber framing long-term and noticed any issues?
