The first synthetic wood was plywood, which was introduced on this day in 1905. Due to its increased strength and economy, its popularity soared. Recently, all wood is soaring ? cost-wise! The price of plywood is up as much as 200% (and rising!), which is giving birth to a host of brand new products all made with new ?look-alike? synthetic woods. Topside, new Enviroshake looks just like number-one grade, taper-sawn, natural cedar shake shingles, but they're actually 95% recycled materials like plastic bottles, old tires, and glass fibers. It even weathers silver-gray just like the real thing?at about only half the cost! Underfoot, there's new affordable color ?clear through? 1x4 composite porch flooring made from recycled plastic resin and sawdust. It never needs painting and won't show heavy traffic patterns. With competitive cost and looks just as good, better make way for even more types and profiles of ?new? synthetic wood! Check 'em out and see what's giving Mother Nature a run for the money.