| There is a ton of misinformation about ipe wood. For | | | | Ipe. People who are environmentally responsible and |
| the most part, many people would have you believe | | | | also responsible consumers do their research. Here |
| that purchasing ipe hardwood is a sin against the | | | | are the facts and the truth about ipe. Ipe is more |
| earth. To be frank, this is just not the case. Likewise, | | | | eco-friendly than composite decking. I know you |
| many people would also have you believe that | | | | need proof, so here it is. |
| composite decking is an eco-friendly product that | | | | Unlike oil, ipe is a renewable resource. Thanks to |
| makes a great alternative to other exotic hardwoods. | | | | increased awareness of irresponsible logging, more |
| Again, this is not the case. Here's why. | | | | and more lumber companies are choosing to use |
| Composite decking is made from plastic and recycled | | | | environmentally responsible and sustainable forestry |
| wood fibers. Many people think that because the | | | | practices. Think about it. Can you GROW more oil? |
| plastic is recycled they are buying an eco-friendly | | | | No. But, you can certainly make sure that whatever |
| product. Is this true? Let's dig a little deeper. Where | | | | trees are cut down are replaced with new trees. In |
| does the plastic come from? The plastic from most | | | | addition, you also can consider the fact that, because |
| of the most popular and cheap brands of composite | | | | the demand for eco-friendly wood is growing, more |
| decking come from petroleum based plastic products | | | | and more lumber companies are now both adapting |
| like PVC. | | | | and adopting these sustainable forestry practices and |
| This petroleum comes from oil. Think about that for | | | | are even joining groups like the United States Green |
| a second. Is oil eco-friendly? Are the countries that | | | | Building Council and the Forest Stewardship Council. |
| sell us oil...are they eco-friendly? Heck, are they even | | | | Simply put, the more awareness that is put out there |
| friendly?! What about transporting the oil? Did you | | | | about irresponsible logging, the companies are forced |
| ever hear of the Exxon-Valdez oil spill? How about | | | | to move away from those practices. That is better |
| the process to drill for oil? Is that eco-friendly? | | | | for the environment. Unfortunately, oil companies |
| Clearly, the answers to these questions are usually | | | | won't and can't just start creating oil on their own, so |
| "no." So, is composite decking eco-friendly? I think it's | | | | they will continue to use up all the earth's oil. |
| safe to conclude that it isn't. | | | | Ok, now what about chemicals? Ipe decking needs |
| Unfortunately, there is more to consider. Let's say | | | | very little treatment over its lifetime. In fact, most |
| you're still not convinced and think that composite | | | | people treat it with ipe oil for first and second year. |
| decking is eco-friendly. Have you considered the | | | | Then, depending on the overall yearly climate, they |
| maintenance issues and the need for constant | | | | could treat ipe every other year. Composite decking |
| treatments? Simply put, because composite decking | | | | needs a lot more than that, for sure! Here's the fact, |
| materials are made from wood fibers and plastic, | | | | ipe decking is so dense and has its own natural oils |
| they also tend to absorb water easily. Because | | | | that it is extremely resistant to mold, mildew, fungus, |
| composite decking is so porous, mold, mildew, | | | | rot and decay. |
| fungus, rot and decay, not to mention, insect | | | | Oh, and those pesky insects? They'd rather go down |
| infestation are highly probable. Now, ask yourself this | | | | the block and eat a composite deck. Again, because |
| question. | | | | ipe is so dense, insects actually avoid attacking it. If |
| With all these composite decking problems, how do | | | | you do some research you will find that the United |
| you treat and prevent composite decking from | | | | States Naval Laboratory actually tested the resilience |
| breaking down? The answer? You have to constantly | | | | of ipe wood and found that a single piece of ipe |
| clean and then DRY your deck. That's right, if you | | | | could be left untreated for decades before it would |
| check out some composite decking manufactures, | | | | start to show signs of decay and infestation. That's |
| they will actually advise that you dry your deck after | | | | quite a testament to ipe hardwood's durability. Is it |
| you clean it. Even then, they can't guarantee that | | | | any wonder why this Brazilian walnut is also called |
| there won't be mildew. The most that they can do is | | | | ironwood? |
| tell you how to inhibit its growth and even then you | | | | Let's dig deeper now. If ipe decking needs less |
| have to be extraordinarily diligent in making sure that | | | | treatments and will naturally last longer than |
| your deck remains very dry. | | | | composite decking, which product is more |
| It's not surprising to find these same companies tell | | | | eco-friendly? One more thing to consider; if |
| you that even if your deck doesn't look like it has | | | | composite decking breaks down, how do you think |
| mildew you should still clean composite decking | | | | most people dispose of it? That's right; they send it |
| because the fungus and mildew take some time to | | | | to a landfill where plastic takes decades to |
| actually manifest itself. Now, ask yourself, how much | | | | decompose. However, ipe decking is 100% |
| time do you have to dry your deck each and every | | | | biodegradable. |
| time it rains? If you have a family and are extremely | | | | Clearly, ipe is a better green-living product to buy. |
| busy with work, wouldn't you rather spend time on | | | | And, guess what? Because of the volatile price of oil, |
| your deck and not have to worry about mold, | | | | ipe hardwood is now cheaper than most composite |
| mildew, fungus and constant composite decking | | | | decking materials! Companies that sell composite |
| maintenance? | | | | plastics justify their high prices because they have an |
| Yes, there's more to consider. Taking all of these | | | | eco-friendly product sticker on it. Given all that you've |
| factors into consideration, what's the likelihood that | | | | learned in this article, it's easy to conclude that they |
| you'll have to replace your composite deck? The | | | | are gouging the consumer just because they put an |
| odds are pretty high, right? How environmentally | | | | eco-friendly label on an inferior and non-eco-friendly |
| responsible are you if you have to buy MORE plastic | | | | product. |
| decking? I think you already know the answer to | | | | Now that you know the difference between ipe |
| that. | | | | wood and composite deck materials, you can shop |
| Ok, so now that it's clear that composite decking is | | | | with confidence and build the deck of your dreams! |
| NOT eco-friendly. Let's take a look at one alternative: | | | | |