Due to the concern for environment and rapid denudation of forests various alternatives for wood substitution are now being considered. Many of these materials are still not tried over a long period of time. A brief description of some of the alternatives is given below :
Particle Board
This is manufactured from small pieces of wood or other cellulosic materials blended with a synthetic resin adhesive and consolidated under heat and pressure. This is being used particularly as a panelling material. Cement bonded particle boards are also available.
Medium Density Fibre Board
This is made from fibres of wood or other cellulosic material (like cotton stalk) combined with synthetic resin and consolidated under heat and pressure. This material can be sawed like timber and hence, is now becoming popular as a substitute for wood.
Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) Shutters
It is a synthetic material based on carbon compounds derived from petroleum. On account of its water resistant properties these shutters can be used for bathroom doors.
Fibre Glass Reinforced Plastic
This is a composite material when fibre glass having mechanical strength constitutes the structural part, and the polyester resin constitutes the matrix.
Various other material like rich husk boards, red mud polymer, composite glass, reinforced gypsum, ferrocement etc., are also being tried, and their performance studied. Plantation timber like eucalyptus and rubber wood after proper chemical treatment can also be used but their life as compared to conventional timber would be much shorter.
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