Wood tempts with a lower purchase price. Ecoplank recycled plastic boards may seem more expensive at the start of an investment. But does that mean they really are more expensive? In this article we look at the cost of a terrace made of Ecoplank boards over several seasons of use.
Table of contents
- Why the purchase price is not everything
- The hidden costs of wood
- The total cost of Ecoplank recycled plastic boards
- Comparison – wood vs Ecoplank recycled plastic boards
- Summary
1. Why the purchase price is not everything
When choosing a material for a terrace, jetty or stable, most people look at the price per linear metre. That is natural – but incomplete. The purchase price is only one element of the total cost of an investment.
The real cost of a building material is the sum of what you pay when you buy it, what you pay while using it and the costs you incur when the material stops working. Recycled plastic boards from Ecoplank come out completely differently when you look at this full picture.
2. The hidden costs of wood
Wood needs regular maintenance – without it, it degrades much faster. In practice, this means specific expenses that come up every season and significantly affect the total cost of the investment:
- Impregnation – it has to be done practically every year. The cost of the product plus labour or your own time.
- Sanding – the surface needs preparing before every impregnation. More time and cost.
- Replacing elements – after a few seasons some boards crack, decay or lose their colour. Replacing even a few elements means the cost of material and installation.
- Downtime – the time when the terrace cannot be used because maintenance or repairs are under way.
On top of that comes unpredictability – you never know exactly how many elements will need replacing and when. This makes budget planning harder for both the contractor and the investor.
3. The total cost of Ecoplank recycled plastic boards
Ecoplank boards have a higher purchase price than standard wood. That is a fact. But after installation, running costs are close to zero. And that is exactly their advantage over wooden boards. In addition:
- No impregnation — Ecoplank recycled plastic boards do not absorb water and need no protection before the season.
- No sanding — the surface of Ecoplank recycled plastic boards needs no preparation between seasons.
- No replacement of elements — the material does not rot, crack or deform under the influence of moisture and frost.
- Predictability — once installed, Ecoplank recycled plastic boards keep their properties for years. The budget is easy to plan.
4. Comparison – wood vs Ecoplank recycled plastic boards
Assuming 10 years of use, the difference in total cost becomes clear. Wood needs impregnating every 1–2 years, sanding, possible replacement of elements and a regular check before winter. Each of these costs is hard to predict in advance and changes every year with the market.
Recycled plastic boards from Ecoplank need no maintenance at all over the same period. The purchase cost is higher – but it is a one-off expense. After installation, Ecoplank recycled plastic boards simply work.
For the contractor, this means no return visits and no complaints. For the investor – peace of mind and a predictable budget throughout the period of use.
5. Summary
Wood is cheaper to buy. Recycled plastic boards from Ecoplank are cheaper over several seasons. This is not marketing – it is simple economics that works in favour of our Ecoplank boards. When analysing the cost of a terrace made of Ecoplank boards, it is worth taking into account not only the purchase price, but also the running costs.
Frequently asked questions
Is a terrace made of Ecoplank boards more expensive than a wooden one?
At the time of purchase, yes – the price per linear metre is higher than for pine. The difference evens out during use, because recycled plastic boards need no impregnation, sanding or replacement of cracked elements.
How much does it cost to maintain a wooden terrace each year?
Oiling, impregnating and sanding a wooden terrace costs around PLN 500–2,000 a year. A terrace made of recycled plastic boards only needs washing with water and a mild detergent – about PLN 50 a year.
How long does it take for a recycled plastic terrace to pay off?
Assuming 10 years of use, the difference in total cost is already clear. The higher purchase price is a one-off expense, and running costs after installation are close to zero.
What makes up the total cost of a terrace?
The purchase price of the material, running costs (impregnation, sanding, washing), replacement of damaged elements and downtime when the terrace cannot be used.
Do Ecoplank boards need protecting before winter?
No. The material does not absorb water, so it needs no impregnation or protective product before winter.
Why does cost predictability matter to a contractor?
With wood, you do not know in advance how many elements will need replacing and when. Recycled plastic boards keep their properties for years, so the investment and service budget can be planned.