Abstract: The present invention resides in one aspect in a building material that comprises wood and a composite polymeric material that is combined with the wood in a heterogenous admixture. The composite polymeric material incorporates fibers in a polymeric matrix. The fibers can be chopped, continuous, or combinations thereof. In addition, the fibers can be unidirectionally oriented and/or randomly oriented. Suitable fibers for use in the composite polymeric material are glass, polymers, carbon, combinations thereof, and the like. However, the present invention is not limited in this regard as other fibers known to those skilled in the pertinent art to which the invention pertains can be used without departing from the broader aspects of the present invention. Suitable polymeric material for the polymeric matrix include thermoplastic polymers, thermosetting polymers, or a combination of thermosetting and thermoplastic polymers.

Abstract: The present invention resides in one aspect in a building material that comprises wood and a composite polymeric material that is combined with the wood in a heterogenous admixture. The composite polymeric material incorporates fibers in a polymeric matrix. The fibers can be chopped, continuous, or combinations thereof. In addition, the fibers can be unidirectionally oriented and/or randomly oriented. Suitable fibers for use in the composite polymeric material are glass, polymers, carbon, combinations thereof, and the like. However, the present invention is not limited in this regard as other fibers known to those skilled in the pertinent art to which the invention pertains can be used without departing from the broader aspects of the present invention. Suitable polymeric material for the polymeric matrix include thermoplastic polymers, thermosetting polymers, or a combination of thermosetting and thermoplastic polymers.