Sustainability and eco-friendly construction are becoming a priority for most people. While price and general aesthetics largely influence decision making around home renovation projects, sustainability has also become a prevalent factor. Homeowners planning to install a deck in their homes or renovate an existing deck should consider the following eco-friendly tips for deck installation.
1. Choose an Environmentally Conscious Deck Design
Planning your dream deck should begin with creating an environmentally-friendly design. You should choose a deck design with minimal effects on the environment. To help mitigate the environmental impacts of your deck project, consider the following;
- How you will construct the deck: avoid construction methods that involve excessive digging. For instance, instead of using concrete posts, opt for helical piles for decks.
- Positioning your deck: evaluate your backyard and the available deckbuilding space before starting the project. You should construct your deck in an area protected from direct sunlight and maximize the shade provided by trees. Aligning your deck with shade minimizes any further construction you might have to do to keep the deck comfortable in the summer heat.
- Decorating the deck: Choose eco-friendly décor designs to support sustainability. Start by installing solar lights, recycled furniture and plants.
2. Choose Eco-Friendly Materials
Choosing the right materials also goes a long way in ensuring that your deck is sustainable. You should do a thorough search to find a few different options for eco-friendly materials for your construction project. Common quality and sustainable deck construction materials to consider include:
Natural Wood
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People have traditionally used wood for their decking due to its durability, longevity and economic value. While it requires periodic sealing and staining, natural wood is a great option for homeowners looking for a traditionally-finished deck. You should ask the following questions when using natural wood to make it environmentally friendly:
- Is it sustainably harvested? You should ensure that the wood was harvested sustainably by searching for certification labels like FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) and SFI (Sustainable Forestry Initiative). Sustainable wood harvesting should prioritize practices that allow harvested land to regenerate tree cover healthily.
- Is it locally harvested? While natural wood originating from distant areas might be cheaper than locally sourced wood, the environmental costs associated with transporting it should be considered. Transporting wood originating from another country or overseas will release more carbon than locally sourced lumber.
- How has the wood been treated? Consider the chemicals used in treating the wood. Depending on performance requirements, wood may be treated with preventive sealants or insect repellants to protect it from rotting and insect infestation. The type of chemical used directly affects users and the surrounding ecosystem. Toxic chemicals such as chromated copper arsenate, which were initially used to treat wood, are no longer safe.
- Is the wood reclaimed? This is a growing trend that involves refurbishing wood products from building demolition sites. Most of these recycled wood materials are upcycled to minimize wood waste. Using recycled products saves the environment in many ways, including eliminating harvesting and processing emissions.
Composite Decking
Composite decking materials are made from wood fibres and plastics. Unlike other options, composite decking materials provide the appearance of natural wood without the damaging environmental effects of cutting trees for timber.
While they can withstand environmental stressors better than wooden decks, not all decks are manufactured equally, especially in terms of environmental sustainability. Therefore, you should choose composite decking materials that are primarily made from recycled materials. Fortunately, most commercially available composites are made from such materials.
Apart from sustainability, many composite decking materials are backed with lengthy warranty periods because of their ability to handle heavy traffic. However, if you choose a composite deck, prioritize your budget, local building code requirements, style and colour preferences and the manufacturer’s environmental track record. While composite decks are quite a bit pricier than pressure-treated lumber, they can offer a great appeal to property buyers (if you intend to resell your property) and can last longer.
Other sustainable decking materials to factor in your deck construction include metal stair railings and pressure-treated lumber. You should consider the longevity or durability of this material for maximum sustainability. For instance, long-lasting railings provide a good value for your money and minimize landfill waste. Unlike wooden rails, it takes many years for the condition of metal rails to deteriorate.
3. Maintain Your Deck Carefully
Regular maintenance is the best way to preserve an outdoor deck. To maximize the sustainability of your deck over the long run, you should avoid using harsh chemicals. Instead, opt for eco-friendly cleaning products that will maintain the beauty of your deck while saving the planet.
Consider chemical-free products, natural cleaners and homemade solutions. Natural cleaners are widely available online. Research the product, however, to ensure that it’s as environmentally friendly as it claims to be. Remember that companies do not have to disclose the ingredients of cleaning products.
Household solutions include baking soda, hydrogen peroxide and white vinegar. You can combine either of these agents to create an effective green cleaning agent. Chemical-free products like oxygen bleach clean deck surfaces without bleaching or damaging wood. Evaluate various deck maintenance practices and choose eco-friendly options that don’t undermine your deck’s integrity.
4. Ask for Help
Environmental sustainability isn’t a new concept, but it can get tricky evaluating what the most sustainable options are for a renovation that will ideally last decades. Inexperienced homeowners may find it challenging to design a sustainable deck and choose the right materials.
If thinking through the life cycle of your project as a whole sounds daunting, choose a few criteria that are important to you and ask advice from building supply professionals for how to meet them. Specific targets (100% recycled materials, reduced emissions or zero-waste, for example) can give you more direction and simplify the building process.
You can always hire professionals for assistance in designing and building an eco-friendly deck. Ask friends and family for the names of construction companies that have experience with sustainable building.
5. Positioning Matters
Most homeowners think that deck location should always be outside their back doors. However, this isn’t the only position for deck construction, especially if building green is your goal. If your back door area has excessive natural shade or isn’t sheltered at all, you could need additional construction and frequent, costly repairs to make your deck usable.
Constructing your deck in an open area exposes it to damaging UV rays, shortening its lifespan. Fortunately, there are several steps to protect your deck from sun damage. For instance, it will take years of UV exposure for sunlight to take a toll on your wooden deck if it is finished using a UV-resistant wood sealer.
Endnote
Constructing a deck is the best way to enjoy your outdoor space. However, to adhere to the current eco-momentum, you should design a sustainable deck and choose eco-friendly materials and finishings. A sustainable deck minimizes landfill waste and GHG emissions, keeps forests healthy and as a bonus, reduces maintenance costs.
If you live in a consistently warm environment, you might even choose to add an outdoor kitchen to your eco-friendly deck. To read more about the advantages of this choice, check out our Top Reasons Why an Outdoor Kitchen Is Better for the Environment.
Feature image: James Wheeler; Image 1: Im3rd Media
