Mineral Filled Plastic Lumber

Our mineral filled composite plastic lumber will last forever as evidenced by our warranty which protects against rotting, cracking, splitting and peeling for a minimum of 50 years. Bear Board comes with a 50 year limited warranty. Because we do not incorporate fibrous materials into our product, there is virtually nothing to break down.

What kind of maintenance is needed?

Our mineral filled plastic lumber is designed to require very little maintenance. Other than cleaning the material with a garden hose, broom or pressure washer, there really is no maintenance needed!

What tools are needed during installation?

No special tools are needed during installation. Our mineral-filled composite plastic lumber cuts, routers and drills much the same as natural lumber.

Does the material expand or contract with temperature changes?

Yes, like all alternative wood materials on the market today, our mineral-filled composite plastic lumber expands in the heat and contracts in the cold on the butt ends of the boards. To work around this, we recommend that you incorporate a small gap between boards to account for this slight movement. We provide you with guidelines to follow in installation, which are based on current temperature and potential extreme temperatures.

There is no noticeable movement width-wise in our boards.

One of the attributes of utilizing a mineral in our formula is the minimizing of the thermal expansion rate and compares very favorably to 100% HDPE products on the market today.

How should I fasten Bear Board?

We recommend two different types of fasting systems to hold the deck boards down to the sub-frame; 2-1/2" stainless steel deck screws for shorter boards (please see our information under expansion / contraction), and for longer boards or if you would like the look of a hidden fastener system, we recommend ordering our groove and groove board to be used in conjunction with our biscuit system. Please keep in mind that since working with Bear Board is like working with natural wood, any fasteners that could be used with wood will work equally as well with Bear Board.

Do I have to pre-drill Bear Board during installation?

There is no need to pre-drill any pilot holes when working with Bear Board.

What is the proper joist span?

For residential applications we recommend the standard 16"