| At some point, most homeowners will invest in and | | | | endocrine disruption, endometriosis, immune system |
| build a deck or outdoor area. However, there are so | | | | damage, reproductive damage and cancer. In fact, |
| many different types of deck boards available that it | | | | this is one reason why Target is phasing out the use |
| can become overwhelming. Picking the right material | | | | of this plastic material. There is a lot of good |
| is an important part of the decking process for | | | | information out there on the hazards to you and |
| several reasons. The boards you select will determine | | | | your environment. |
| how long the deck will last, whether you will have to | | | | Exotic decking is also a growing industry and one that |
| treat the deck for insects, mold or fungus, if it will | | | | is sustainable. Unfortunately, this industry has a bad |
| need to be built away from direct sun exposure, and | | | | rap in the last few years for forest destruction. The |
| the aesthetics and strength of the deck. Let's | | | | truth is that, in reality, sustainable forestry can be an |
| examine the different materials and what to look for. | | | | asset to forests as it creates a demand for trees. If |
| The most common deck boards are pressure treated | | | | you research the actual cause of forest depletion |
| wood boards. This is also the least expensive but the | | | | than you will find that cattle grazing and agricultural |
| lifespan for this material is only 5-10 years depending | | | | cash cropping are 90% of the cause. These uses |
| upon the environment. Pressure treated lumber also | | | | destroy the soil for future tree growth where trees |
| emit some nasty outgases of chemicals to living | | | | being logged can be replaced and if managed properly |
| creatures and its surroundings. Due to the deeply | | | | can help surrounding trees grow faster with access |
| degraded look of aged pressure treated decking, the | | | | to sunlight and room for growth. This recent stir of |
| likelihood of replacement in 10 years is high. In the | | | | accountability has increased associations such as FSC, |
| long run, the cost factor does go up as labor and | | | | Green Peace and Smartwood to form. Various |
| materials will have to be replaced, creating more | | | | government agencies are also working with lumber |
| work and materials at a future date. | | | | companies. The Brazilian agency IBAMA and our own |
| A growing industry is the composite decking and PVC | | | | government are creating laws such as the Lacey Act |
| decking industry. The composite decking industry is a | | | | to regulate where the lumber comes from and |
| fairly new industry and is a mix of plastic and wood | | | | verifying it is from a managed forest. These efforts |
| dust. The problem with this is the durability and | | | | prevent the illegal harvesting of hardwoods like ipe |
| strength deteriorates over time. It is because of the | | | | decking. |
| lack of structural integrity that joists cannot be made | | | | Now if you consider species such as Ipe, Cumaru, |
| of composite. The increase in lawsuits and | | | | Tigerwood and Garapa you will realize you can have |
| bankruptcy of different composite companies is a | | | | the best of both worlds. These species are |
| telltale sign of problems to come. | | | | absolutely beautiful and the density of these deck |
| PVC decking has similar problems. Made of Polyvinyl | | | | boards is very high. They are naturally repellant to |
| Chloride, PVC decking is just manufactured plastic | | | | insects, mold, fungus and rot. No insect repellant |
| with toxic byproducts. Dioxin (potent carcinogen), | | | | sprays are needed. And you can have peace of mind |
| ethylene dichloride and vinyl chloride are made in the | | | | knowing that you won't need to replace your deck in |
| production of PVC and causes health problems. Some | | | | 5 years. Choosing hardwoods like ipe decking is a |
| documented problems of PVC plastic are neurological | | | | no-brainer because the alternatives we create are |
| damage, birth defects, impaired child development, | | | | not better nor are they as eco-friendly. |