Polywood vs cedar t14

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detioh11
Posts: 52
Joined: Tue Jul 19, 2016 1:24 pm
Location: St Johns, MI
Martin Colony History: 2015 A few Visitors
2016 1 ASY pair 4 eggs 4 Fledged
2017 ASY male returned chased off by starlings
2018 1 pair fledged 5
2019 3 Pair with nestlings and an ASY male bachelor and 2 SY males around all the time fledged 16

I am looking for advice on polywood vs cedar for making a t14. I have a cedar one currently but think the maintenance and appearance of the poly looks nice. Does anybody have experience with both? I am in central Michigan so it can be cold in the spring and hot in the summer. Any feedback would be great. Thanks
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4th Gen Martin Fan
Posts: 1498
Joined: Thu Jul 04, 2013 1:19 pm
Location: TN/Collierville
Martin Colony History: I have been exposed to purple martin sounds in utero when my mother went out to get my father away from his martin colony.
I played around the martin colony every summer and watched as my father maintained his colony. In the late 50's until the 70's he did not notice European Starlings in south Texas.
When old enough, I helped maintain his colony. My primary task was eliminating English House Sparrows with a 1956 Benjamin 317 .177 air rifle.
When I settled into my own home, I started my first colony with an original Trio Castle and Trio Grandpa. When I moved again, I did not put up any martin houses. Frustration with European Starlings in the Southeast US was overwhelming.
Found PMCA Forum and learned about modern enlarged compartments and SREHs.
Inherited my father's last martin house, a Trio Grandma, modified it to modern specifications and have had good results since then.

I like working with cedar for its smell beyond that it was one of the best, lightweight, rot resistant woods. Cypress and redwood are understandably unobtainable and cost prohibitive.
I really like wood-plastic composites (WPCs), like Polywood, for their weather resistance. It is workable. The cost is high but its durability and low maintenance over time far outweighs its cost in the long run.
Mark.
Mark.
Firm believer in HOSP/EUST Control, Enlarged Compartments, SREHs, Pole Predator Guards, Owl/Hawk Guards, Mite/Parasite Control, Housing Insulation, and Vents for Compartment Cooling.
PMCA Member.
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Dave Reynolds
Posts: 2445
Joined: Mon Jan 31, 2011 4:35 pm
Location: Little Hocking, Oh.
Martin Colony History: Satellite Site “Oxbow Golf Course”..
2018 - 15 Pair, 36 Fledged
2019 - 26 Pair, 97 Fledged
2020 - 30 Pair, 137 Fledged
2021 - 30 Pair, 144 Fledged
2022 - 27 Pair, 125 Fledged
2023 - 31 Pair, 130 Fledged
2024 - 41 Pair, 198 Fledged
2025 - 44 Pair, 168 Fledged
2026 - 41 Pair, 182 Fledged

Home Site "Little Hocking, Ohio".
2019 - 1 Pair, 5 Fledged
2020 - 1 Pair, 4 Fledged
2021 - 8 Pair, 36 Fledged
2022 - 13 Pair, 46 Fledged
2023 - 16 Pair, 84 Fledged
2024 - 22 Pair, 104 Fledged
2025 - 28 Pair, 83 Fledged
2026 - 28 Pair. 116 Fledged

Detioh11. ---- My T-14's are made of Poplar, by an Amish family. They are 5 years old and still in good shape. (I do take them down every year and put in storage, which may help keep them). :wink:

Dave
PMCA Member
Little Hocking, Ohio
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warbird
Posts: 220
Joined: Tue May 26, 2015 10:04 am
Location: Calofornia MO

Polywood would last for ever
joe
2015 8 pair
2016 35 pair
2017 55 pair
2018 57 pair
2019 58 pair
2020 58 pair
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Rodger Drye
Posts: 671
Joined: Sun Mar 23, 2014 10:07 am
Location: NC/Mt. Pleasant
Martin Colony History: Have been hosting and providing a sanactuary for Purple Martins for 30 years.

Hey detioh11,
I like both Cedar and Polywood. I only use Gourds of all kinds and sizes. I built several Blue Bird houses out of some Cedar I had, and roofed them with metal and or Shingle and they're good to go. I built a Starling Nest Trap out of Polywood and glued the whole thing - really looks Good and should last a long time!!!
I guess if I ever wanted a T-14 I'd probably get Polywood. Would seem to be less Maintenance. However everyone is different and it may boil down to your individual preference... Rodger
PMCA Member
Have been Hosting and Protecting Martin's for 30 years.
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Dave Duit
Posts: 2146
Joined: Tue Nov 25, 2003 2:02 pm
Location: Iowa / Nevada
Martin Colony History: In 2026, 88 pair with 333 fledged youngsters. 110 total cavities available, 82 Troyer Horizontal gourds and a homemade PVC / metal 28 compartment unit, 1 fallout shelter. Hawk and owl guards included. Martin educator and speaker. President and founder of the Iowa Purple Martin Organization. Please visit Iowa Purple Martin Organization on Facebook link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1627283871068161 Emails send to daveduit@yahoo.com. Subject line include Iowa Purple Martin.

With polywood you may want to take measures to ensure that leg splaying doesn't occur due to its smooth surface. Nothing abrasive, just enough for the nestling to get their grip on the floor.
ImageMite control, heat venting, predator protection and additional feeding during bad weather add up to success.
ImageIPMO LOGO1.jpg
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Rodger Drye
Posts: 671
Joined: Sun Mar 23, 2014 10:07 am
Location: NC/Mt. Pleasant
Martin Colony History: Have been hosting and providing a sanactuary for Purple Martins for 30 years.

Hi Dave,
The Polywood I used had a textured yet smooth surface on one side and the other was actually coarse or rough. That side could be used for the inside or where the the Bird's will be.
Rodger
PMCA Member
Have been Hosting and Protecting Martin's for 30 years.
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JamesinIA
Posts: 329
Joined: Thu Mar 27, 2008 8:43 am
Location: Iowa/Wellman

Using nest trays and the amount of nesting material brought in by the martins I wouldn't think leg splay would be a problem. My cedar T-14 has been up all year long for 12 years and I have only needed to repaint once. The roof does need to be painted this fall though. I used an oil based primer and two coats of a high quality exterior latex paint.
2009 One ASY pair 5 eggs 5 fledged 2010 2 pair 5 fledged 2011 8 pair 27 fledged 2012 14 pair 38 fledged
2013 20 pair 64 fledged 2014 19 pair fledged 84 2015 26 pair fledged 124 2016 36 pair fledged 156 2017 40 pair fledged 156
PMCA member
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ToyinPA
Posts: 2227
Joined: Mon Apr 10, 2006 6:07 pm
Location: PA/Avis
Martin Colony History: The 1972 St. Agnes flood wiped out all the Martins in my area. One day, in 1997-98, 5 or 6 Martins landed on the power wires crossing my back yard. I had no house for them. They kept coming back day after day. We got a martin house a few weeks later & they have been coming back every year since. I average 12-15 pair per year.

My two T-10 houses are made form a special plastic they use to make dog kennels. The nest trays are made from the same plastic. My husband made wood floors for each tray to prevent splay leg. He used " 1/8 inch thick luan wood" & cut pieces just a little smaller than the nest tray. He also cut a finger hole, in one corner, to make it easier to get them out.

Toy in PA
PMCA Member
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lynnh
Posts: 391
Joined: Thu Jun 28, 2007 7:07 am
Location: Iowa, New Sharon

How does polywood compare to cedar or pine as far heat or cold?
2007 2 pair 8 fledged
2008 4 pair 18 fledged
2009 21 pair 87 fledged
2010 44 pair 174 fledged
2011 68 pair 244 fledged
2012 82 pair 364 fledged
2013 82 pair 359 fledged
2014 86 pair 415 fledged
2015 101 pair 427 fledged
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4th Gen Martin Fan
Posts: 1498
Joined: Thu Jul 04, 2013 1:19 pm
Location: TN/Collierville
Martin Colony History: I have been exposed to purple martin sounds in utero when my mother went out to get my father away from his martin colony.
I played around the martin colony every summer and watched as my father maintained his colony. In the late 50's until the 70's he did not notice European Starlings in south Texas.
When old enough, I helped maintain his colony. My primary task was eliminating English House Sparrows with a 1956 Benjamin 317 .177 air rifle.
When I settled into my own home, I started my first colony with an original Trio Castle and Trio Grandpa. When I moved again, I did not put up any martin houses. Frustration with European Starlings in the Southeast US was overwhelming.
Found PMCA Forum and learned about modern enlarged compartments and SREHs.
Inherited my father's last martin house, a Trio Grandma, modified it to modern specifications and have had good results since then.

Lynn,
Is your question:
1) How durable is polywood vs. wood in either hot and/or cold?
or,
2) What is the insulating abilities of polywood vs. wood?

Mark.
Mark.
Firm believer in HOSP/EUST Control, Enlarged Compartments, SREHs, Pole Predator Guards, Owl/Hawk Guards, Mite/Parasite Control, Housing Insulation, and Vents for Compartment Cooling.
PMCA Member.
Top
lynnh
Posts: 391
Joined: Thu Jun 28, 2007 7:07 am
Location: Iowa, New Sharon

Hey Mark,guess i wasnt very clear ,I meant the insulating abilities.
2007 2 pair 8 fledged
2008 4 pair 18 fledged
2009 21 pair 87 fledged
2010 44 pair 174 fledged
2011 68 pair 244 fledged
2012 82 pair 364 fledged
2013 82 pair 359 fledged
2014 86 pair 415 fledged
2015 101 pair 427 fledged
Top
4th Gen Martin Fan
Posts: 1498
Joined: Thu Jul 04, 2013 1:19 pm
Location: TN/Collierville
Martin Colony History: I have been exposed to purple martin sounds in utero when my mother went out to get my father away from his martin colony.
I played around the martin colony every summer and watched as my father maintained his colony. In the late 50's until the 70's he did not notice European Starlings in south Texas.
When old enough, I helped maintain his colony. My primary task was eliminating English House Sparrows with a 1956 Benjamin 317 .177 air rifle.
When I settled into my own home, I started my first colony with an original Trio Castle and Trio Grandpa. When I moved again, I did not put up any martin houses. Frustration with European Starlings in the Southeast US was overwhelming.
Found PMCA Forum and learned about modern enlarged compartments and SREHs.
Inherited my father's last martin house, a Trio Grandma, modified it to modern specifications and have had good results since then.

Lynn,
I am not finding much information about insulating characteristics of wood plastic composites. Since it is commonly used for decking rather than siding, then insulating numbers are not published.
I am aware that WPCs are more dense and heavy and thereby may have less insulating qualities.
Mark.
Mark.
Firm believer in HOSP/EUST Control, Enlarged Compartments, SREHs, Pole Predator Guards, Owl/Hawk Guards, Mite/Parasite Control, Housing Insulation, and Vents for Compartment Cooling.
PMCA Member.
Top
Matt F.
Posts: 3978
Joined: Mon Feb 28, 2005 9:48 am
Location: Houston, TX

Just to add, I think we may be talking about 2 different products.
"Polywood" is the generic term for 100% plastic lumber, that is made entirely of plastics like HPDE, ABS, PVC, etc.
The wood-plastic composite lumber Mark is referring to is just that - a combination of wood and plastic.
Polywood seems like pretty awesome stuff, from what I've read.
I've also read that the insulating value (R-value) of polywood, averages about 50% greater than that of conventional wood, of the same thickness.
Image
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lynnh
Posts: 391
Joined: Thu Jun 28, 2007 7:07 am
Location: Iowa, New Sharon

Thanks for your time in responding to my question Mark and Matt much appreciated. Lynn.
2007 2 pair 8 fledged
2008 4 pair 18 fledged
2009 21 pair 87 fledged
2010 44 pair 174 fledged
2011 68 pair 244 fledged
2012 82 pair 364 fledged
2013 82 pair 359 fledged
2014 86 pair 415 fledged
2015 101 pair 427 fledged
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