If you’re planning to add a deck to your home, or replace an existing deck, one of the decisions you’ll need to make is what type of decking material you want your deck built from. A growing trend among homeowners today is to choose materials that are environmentally friendly.
If sustainability is important to you in your deck build, you’ve come to the right place!
In this blog, we’ll examine some of the environmental benefits of sustainable decking materials, — with examples of materials that offer these benefits — so you can choose the materials that best suit your needs and priorities.
Conserves Resources
Environmentally-friendly decking materials help conserve natural resources. Many eco-friendly decking options use recycled materials, or in some cases, raw materials sourced from sustainable forests.
For example, composite decking is made using a combination of wood fibers and recycled plastic. Trex, a composite decking brand we use here at Outdoor Solutions, is made of “up to 95 percent recycled plastic film and reclaimed sawdust.” This helps keep both plastic and wood out of landfills and reduces the need to create more plastic or harvest more wood.
Plus, it creates attractive, durable decking. It’s a win-win! View our composite deck gallery here.
Another example of decking material that conserves resources is natural cedar decking. Cedar, when it’s responsibly harvested, is a sustainable choice because it’s plentiful and easy to find locally. And because it’s naturally rot and insect-resistant, it doesn’t need the chemical treatment that other woods like pine do.
Long-Lasting
Another feature that makes some decking materials better for the environment is that they are long-lasting and durable, meaning you won’t have to replace them as often.
This is not only great news for your budget, it also helps reduce the need to cut down trees or manufacture more plastic. Plus, it means these materials won’t end up in landfills after only a few years of use.
With proper care, it’s not uncommon for composite decking to last 30 years or more! Composites won’t splinter, crack, or rot like wood can, nor will they easily warp. Composite decking materials are also made to be moisture-resistant and UV-resistant — they’re built to withstand the elements. In addition to composite decking, aluminum decking is extremely durable and long-lasting as well.
Needs Fewer Chemicals for Maintenance
Many low-maintenance decking materials — such as composite and aluminum — are naturally impervious to insects and moisture, meaning they don’t need to be treated with chemicals to protect them from the elements.
Natural woods like cedar are also resistant to decay and pests, requiring minimal need for chemical treatments. View our cedar deck gallery here!
In addition, sustainable decking materials like composite or aluminum don’t require harsh chemicals to clean them — in most cases, a power wash with water is sufficient. They don’t typically need staining or sealing either, putting even fewer chemicals out into the environment.
In addition to preserving the earth from excess chemicals for cleaning and maintenance, low-maintenance decking like composite also saves you much of the time, energy, and cost associated with maintaining a deck.
Recyclable and/or Reusable
Many sustainable decking materials are not only good for the environment when they’re in use, but also provide earth-friendly benefits after their useful life is over.
Wood and aluminum, for example, can both be recycled into new products or reused for other projects around the home. For example, old wooden deck boards or scrap wood from a new build can be used to create garden beds, shelving, a bird house, or a little free library. Or, rent a wood chipper and make your own mulch!
Take a look at all the ideas one woman came up with for her old wood decking!
If sustainability is a priority for you in building your next deck, you have options. From cedar to composite to aluminum and more, sustainable decking materials are becoming more prevalent, and it’s not difficult to find a material that suits both your desire for sustainability and your budget.
Outdoor Solutions is your local expert for decks, porches, hardscapes, and more. We’ve served the Twin Cities area for more than 25 years, and we’d love to help you too. Contact us today to talk about your next deck build!