Building an eco-friendly outdoor deck requires thoughtful consideration of the materials used for the deck. Consider choosing sustainable decking materials. For example, composite decking material is made from recycled materials, which helps minimize the impact on the environment. Choosing decking materials that last longer can reduce the need for frequent replacement.
Many homeowners are starting to think “green,” which means they are considering the impact of their products on the planet when purchasing a deck. Choosing an eco-friendly deck is not an easy decision, as each option has its pros and cons for the environment. In the next section, we'll look at the environmental advantages and disadvantages of wood and composite material.
Composite Decking: First Choice for Eco-Friendly
Composite decorative decks are made of wood fibers and recycled plastics. As a result, it is a decorative material that is good for the environment. It doesn't require the frequent cleaning, staining or sealing of wood, and it lasts twice as long as wood decking.
However, not all composite decks are green. It depends largely on the materials used by the manufacturer and how the decking product is manufactured. Typical composite decking consists of 50% wood fibers and 38% high-density polyethylene. This gives composite decking a more realistic natural wood grain while protecting the living environment.
Advantages of Composite Decking
Composite decks are made from a mixture of recycled plastic and wood fibers. As a result, it has the look of wood with the durability and weather resistance of plastic.
- Since composite decking is made from recycled plastic, which is difficult to break down, it helps protect the environment and reduces waste production.
- Most composite decorative panels are made from wood fiber and recycled wood. This means that no trees are cut down during the production process, helping to preserve forests.
- Composite outdoor decorative decking doesn't need to be cleaned with strong cleaners or sprayed with stains and sealers every year like wood. Composite decking boards can be cleaned with soap and water. As a result, the soil and water near the deck will not be contaminated with harmful chemicals.
- Composite decking boards last longer than wood, so decks don't have to be replaced as often. Old decking materials are therefore kept out of landfills and reduce the amount of material and energy needed to build new decks.
Disadvantages of Composite Decking
- Composite deck is an environmentally friendly decking material. However, decking cannot be recycled after use like wood. The debris left over from making a new deck is also of little use.
- When composite decking boards need to be replaced, the replaced decking boards cannot be reused for other goods or projects like wood.
- Each deck requires boards to be cut for installation, which creates short boards that can't be used on the deck. Some of these short boards can be used again as coasters or to make planters, outdoor furniture or birdhouses. But there's usually too much scrap to come up with any good ideas.
Wood: Another Eco-Friendly Option
Trees have the potential to regrow, which is why natural wood decking is widely used. In addition, wood decking boards can be reused or turned into something else, such as mulch, at the end of their useful life. You can also use wood as fuel to produce energy.
Advantages of Wood
Wood has been the main material for decks for a long time and is still easy to find. While it has a lower lifespan than composite decking, it has many advantages.
Trees can be regenerated. While some natural resources have a limited number of uses, trees can be cut down and grown over and over again.
You can use the unwanted wood from your deck for other projects. The planks of a wood deck can also be used to make mulch or used as fuel at the end of its useful life. You can even burn old boards in a fire pit if there isn't any grease or coating on the old deck.
Wood breaks down quickly and is easier and less expensive to dispose of than plastics and composites.
Disadvantages of Wood
Wood decks require regular maintenance to prevent rotting. It should be cleaned once or twice a year with a strong cleaner and a new coat of stain or sealer should be applied every few years. Some old boards can be reused or burned, but most pressure-treated wood ends up in landfills.
Pressure-treated lumber is the primary choice for most wood decks. While this type of wood decking is inexpensive, chemically treated boards can be harmful to your health. Therefore, you should not burn these boards. These decking planks can be harmful to the environment even if they are buried in landfills.
Even though IPE, redwood, and cedar decks do not rot, they still need to be cleaned, stained, and sealed frequently. The deck cleaners and sealers used are often considered harmful to the environment.
