Engineered for seamless horizontal-to-vertical architectural continuity around luxury poolscapes, commercial aquatic facilities, and modern exterior facades.
In the evolving landscape of modern construction and home improvement, Forestar Outdoor has emerged as a global leader in the design, development, and manufacture of premium Wood-Plastic Composite (WPC) products. Established in 2008, the company has spent nearly two decades transforming outdoor living spaces, combining the timeless aesthetic appeal of natural wood with the unparalleled durability and sustainability of cutting-edge composite technology. With a footprint spanning over 45 countries and more than one million homes successfully transformed, Forestar stands as a benchmark for quality, innovation, and environmental stewardship in the building materials industry.
At the core of Forestar’s success is an unwavering commitment to sustainability. Recognizing the urgent need for eco-conscious building materials, the company utilizes up to 90% recycled content in its manufacturing processes. By repurposing waste materials into high-performance products, Forestar not only helps reduce landfill waste but also provides a superior alternative to traditional lumber. Unlike natural wood, which requires constant maintenance, including seasonal painting, sealing, and staining, Forestar’s composite solutions are engineered to withstand the harshest environmental conditions. Its products are meticulously crafted to resist rot, splintering, cracking, fading, and staining, ensuring that outdoor structures remain as vibrant and structurally sound years after installation as they were on the first day.
Forestar’s extensive product portfolio is designed to meet the diverse needs of homeowners, contractors, and architects alike. The company specializes in four primary categories: Composite Deck Boards, Cladding, Fencing, and Garden Sheds. Each line represents a synergy of form and function. Forestar’s decking, for instance, features industry-leading proprietary technology that provides a cooler touch and superior fire resistance, making it an ideal choice for both residential and commercial projects. The aesthetic versatility offered by Forestar is unmatched; the company provides an extensive array of colors and textures that mimic the look and feel of real wood, allowing for complete design freedom without the associated environmental footprint or maintenance burdens.
Beyond its physical products, Forestar is dedicated to empowering its clients through education and support. The company’s digital resources—including installation guides, how-to videos, and detailed FAQs—provide invaluable assistance for DIY enthusiasts and professionals alike. By offering a transparent look into the advantages of WPC over traditional wood, Forestar helps stakeholders make informed decisions that favor long-term value and durability. Driven by a planet-first philosophy, Forestar continues to push the boundaries of what is possible in outdoor design. As the industry moves toward greener building practices, Forestar is at the forefront, proving that luxury, performance, and environmental responsibility can—and should—coexist.
How modern biophilic design and aggressive poolside microclimates are accelerating the commercial adoption of co-extruded wood-plastic composite facades.
Luxury beachfront hotels, rooftop sky pools, and infinity wellness centers require exterior envelope cladding that seamlessly blends with the water deck while withstanding chemical splashes, aerosolized salts, and persistent solar reflection.
Pool surrounding facades endure the double-action stress of direct UV radiation and reflected UV rays bouncing off the water's surface, compounded by chlorine gas evaporation. Capped composite cladding provides impermeable protection.
Contemporary master architects prioritize the "fluid envelope" concept, extending horizontal pool deck boards straight up vertical exterior walls and soffits to create an expansive, cohesive visual sanctuary with hidden fixings.
Tailored architectural strategies addressing structural thermodynamics, water resistance, and acoustic dampening across diverse project typology.
Infinity pools elevated on hillsides or multi-story structures present a unique structural challenge: the exterior retaining facade beneath the perimeter overflow is continuously bathed in mist, water droplets, and ambient moisture. Traditional plaster or natural wood cladding fails rapidly under constant wetting and drying cycles, resulting in efflorescence, fungal decay, or timber warping. WPC exterior cladding panels engineered with 360-degree co-extrusion capping form a complete barrier against liquid ingress, preventing structural degradation while presenting a rich timber aesthetic to observers below.
In seaside residential developments featuring seaside plunge pools, ocean air carries severe salt concentrations that corrode aluminum flashings and rapidly decompose conventional timber facades. WPC pool cladding leverages high-density polyethylene (HDPE) polymer matrix compounds combined with refined cellulose fibers that remain chemically inert against saline precipitation. The material does not pit, oxidize, or foster lichen growth, drastically cutting long-term maintenance budgets for luxury property managers.
Urban rooftop pools present intense thermal loading. Building facades directly adjacent to rooftop pools absorb radiant energy from above and water-reflected UV from below. Incorporating WPC cladding profiles as ventilated rainscreens and architectural louvers creates a passive solar shading layer. This reduces heat transfer into the building interior, lowers air-conditioning loads, and buffers ambient noise generated by rooftop social areas.
Modern luxury pool layouts require auxiliary structures—such as pool pump enclosures, dressing cabanas, outdoor shower stalls, and storage sheds. Utilizing coordinated WPC panels across the pool deck, facade walls, privacy fencing, and utility sheds (such as the MiniStar WPC Shed) produces a curated architectural harmony free of visible fasteners and mismatched finishes.
A rigorous empirical comparison evaluating performance metrics in aggressive poolside and exterior exposure environments.
| Performance Attribute | High-Tech Capped WPC Facades | Natural Hardwood (Teak / Ipe) | Powder-Coated Aluminum | Standard PVC Foam Panels |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Moisture & Splash Resistance | Hydrophobic Shield (<0.5% absorption) | Requires annual oiling; prone to swelling | Corrosion resistant; vulnerable at joints | Waterproof but thermally unstable |
| Chlorine & Salt Mist Immunity | Chemically Inert Co-Extrusion Cap | Bleaches, darkens, and cracks | Pitting & chalking under salt aerosol | Moderate chemical stability |
| UV Color Fastness (Delta E) | ΔE < 3.0 after 3000h Xenon Arc Test | Grays within 6-12 months without stain | Gradual chalking over 5-7 years | Prone to yellowing and embrittlement |
| Thermal Expansion Management | Engineered Clip & Gap Interlocking | High directional expansion / warping | High thermal transfer / hot to touch | Severe thermal distortion in direct sun |
| Annual Maintenance Overhead | Zero Sealing / Simple Water Cleaning | High (Sanding, Re-oiling, Chemical Stripping) | Periodic chemical wash & recoat | Low maintenance; hard to repair scratch |
| Recycled Circular Content | Up to 90% Post-Consumer Materials | 0% (Harvested virgin timber) | 20-40% Recycled content | Petroleum-based synthetic virgin resin |
Engineered with multi-layer co-extrusion technology, delivering superior traction around water features and exceptional architectural depth on vertical facades.
Featuring proprietary micro-channel surface geometry for high-traction anti-slip wet zones. Ideal for seamless horizontal poolside walkaways and low-level architectural plinths.
Anti-Slip Wet-Zone Decking
Shielded by a 360-degree high-density polymer shield, TerraShield resists harsh pool cleaning agents, sunscreen lotions, and wine stains while offering an ultra-authentic timber grain.
360° Capped Low Maintenance
Formulated specifically for extreme solar exposure and pool perimeter environments, EclipseGrain integrates heat-reflective ceramic pigments to stay cooler under high thermal index conditions.
UV Resistant Poolside ProfileKey architectural principles for deploying WPC rainscreens in proximity to aquatic installations.
When installing WPC facade panels around swimming pools, always specify a rear-ventilated rainscreen cavity (minimum 20mm clearance between the breathable waterproof membrane and the back of the composite cladding). This chimney effect promotes rapid evaporation of trapped splash water, prevents condensation accumulation behind facade walls, and enhances the thermodynamic efficiency of the building.
Utilize marine-grade 316 (A4) stainless steel concealed clips and screws to completely avoid galvanic corrosion induced by chlorinated or saltwater mist.
Composite profiles respond naturally to ambient seasonal temperatures. Always adhere to recommended expansion gap ratios at panel butt-joints (typically 3mm to 6mm depending on ambient temperature at installation time).
For pool retaining walls and exterior cantilevered facades, aluminum or composite joist framing systems are strongly advised over treated softwoods. This ensures uniform structural longevity across the entire installation without risk of framing rot.
Explore our complete range of architectural cladding, high-performance decking, structural fencing, and outdoor utility modules.
