How to Use Hand Tools With Composite Lumber

Composite lumber is made from plastic chips and wood chips.  The plastic is nearly always from recycled materials; the wood chips are taken from saw mills and other wood production facilities.  The combination of wood and plastic makes composite lumber very strong yet somewhat flexible.

Things You'll Need:

• Fine-tooth hand saw


• Composite lumber screws


• Composite lumber connectors


• Wood screws


• Measuring tape


• Rubber mallet


• Scrap 2-by-4


• Screwdriver

1. Use a fine-tooth blade in any saw that you use to cut composite lumber in order to minimize chipping.  Cutting composite lumber is slightly more difficult than cutting wood, as the plastic components make it chip more easily. 


2. Hammer a scrap 2-by-4 with a rubber mallet to push one piece of composite lumber up to the next. Use composite lumber connectors to be sure the pieces are secure; these connectors are attached with regular wood screws.


3. Use composite lumber screws when working with composite lumber; they perform better than standard screws on composite lumber.  The heads of these screws are shaped differently, so that there is little chance of the lumber splitting.


4. Measure the desired length of composite lumber at least twice.  Composite lumber tends to warp and this can affect the measurements.


5. Place the composite lumber outside in the sun to minimize or eliminate warping.  The heat will bring the lumber back to its original state.


6. Set at least twice as many joists under composite lumber projects.  This keeps the lumber from warping under the weight of people.