How to Choose the Right Wood for Your Deck - Environmental Factors

There are two main environmental factors tothe any wood is sourced from forests which are
consider when choosing a lumber species for yourmanaged responsibly on long term sustainable basis
deck.without affecting the surrounding environment and
Firstly if you are seeking a softwood species, it willcomplying with all legal requirements of the country
generally require treatment with a chemicalof origin. For all too long, tropical (and other) forests
preservative to provide the durability required for ahave been decimated to make quick, short term
long a service life. From time to time concerns haveprofits with devastating long term consequences.
been expressed about the potentially harmful natureUncontrolled or illegal logging of forests in the
of the products used, mainly the potential danger ofAmazon basin and in Sth East Asia have been of
the chemicals leaching out from the wood. Admittedlyparticular concern. Gradually however this situation is
this is grey area with conflicting "evidence" beingchanging, although illegal logging is still rampant in
presented to back up claims one way or the other.many third world countries in particular.
One of the most common chemical preservativesIn an attempt to ensure the responsible harvesting
used in the past has been CCAand sustainable forestry practices yet assure the
(copper-chrome-arsenic) and although such productsongoing viability of existing forest industries, various
have been used for decades, some countries orinternational organizations have been set up, the best
regions have now taken steps to ban the use ofknown of which is probably the Forest Stewardship
CCA, at least in public spaces.Council (FSC). This non profit organization aims to
In recent years a number of alternative woodensure responsible and sustainable management of
preservation products have come on the marketforests and issues certificates of compliance for
which are claimed to have little or no potentiallumber or wood products that are harvested or
harmful consequences. However whether theseproduced from such forests. End products can also
products will provide the same long term protectionbe certified by the FSC providing the entire chain
of the timber as CCA, remains to be proven.from lumber harvesting through processing and
But the main environmental factor to be consideredproduction of finished products complies with the
to is that of the destruction of forests and ensuringregulations and requirements of the FSC.