| Traditional methods and materials used for decks, | | | | and the environment. The advantages over traditional |
| gazebos, covered porches, and other construction | | | | decking and benefits of these new synthetic lumbers |
| projects have become hot topics for not just | | | | are increased longevity, ease of maintenance, and |
| conservationists, but for builders as well. With new | | | | increased durability. Even though these new lines of |
| materials being developed every year with efficiency | | | | lumbers are synthetic, they can be indistinguishable |
| and safety in mind, it is now more confusing than | | | | from real wood boards and can be produced in a |
| ever for an average homeowner to research and | | | | variety of colors. Although these synthetic materials |
| choose what is best for their needs. A driving force | | | | can range in price initially exceeding that of real |
| is the increased costs of traditional construction | | | | pressure treated lumber, the homeowner can be |
| materials such as pressure treated lumber. | | | | comforted to know that the savings over years of |
| Traditional pressure treated lumber has been treated | | | | no maintenance required will add up. |
| with arsenic which has a tendency to be released | | | | Most home improvement stores stock synthetic |
| into the ground and expose individuals to its | | | | lumber for decking, but usually have a woefully limited |
| poisonous nature. Many playgrounds have been | | | | variety of one type. For those homeowners that are |
| constructed using this type of lumber and have now | | | | attempting to build their own deck, the choices will |
| been replaced with steel pipe frame or plastic play | | | | be strictly limited. This will not affect the |
| equipment. Just like the hazards of wooden | | | | homeowner's options if they are using a decking |
| playgrounds of the past, many decks that have been | | | | company to design and build their deck or covered |
| constructed also have used this same pressure | | | | porch. Professional decking companies specializing in |
| treated lumber. There are new pressure treated | | | | decks, covered patios, and sunrooms have access to |
| lumbers available today that do not use arsenic in the | | | | a much wider variety of suppliers and materials than |
| pressure treating process, but this new and improved | | | | the cookie cutter retail home improvement stores. By |
| method has contributed to the rise in cost of the | | | | retaining the services of a professional decking |
| lumber. | | | | company, the homeowner will truly have an original |
| This has spawned development of new types of | | | | and beautiful design that they will enjoy for a lifetime |
| synthetic lumber products in order to improve safety | | | | to come. |