Is Composite Decking an Eco-Friendly Option?
In this article, we take a look at what makes composite decking environmentally-friendly.
23/02/2021
Over the last decade or so, there has been a tremendous emphasis placed on improving eco-friendliness in various aspects of life. From electric cars and solar energy in homes to reduced plastic packaging, people and companies across the world are striving to reduce their impact on the environment.
Therefore, it comes as no surprise to see so many people making conscious choices to be more environmentally-friendly when it comes to their home renovations, particularly in the garden. Decking, for example, is a common feature in many outdoor redesigns and is one area where people are striving to make better decisions.
Over more recent years, composite decking has grown massively in popularity thanks to its extremely low-maintenance and long-lasting capabilities, but is it a better choice than traditional wood decking when it comes to eco-friendliness? Let’s take a look and find out!
What Makes Composite Decking Environmentally-Friendly?
Materials
The first aspect of composite decking that makes it a great choice for environmentally-conscious garden projects is the materials that are used in its production. Composite deck boards are manufactured using reclaimed wood fibres and recycled plastics, most of which would otherwise be sent to landfill sites. Something wood decking cannot boast!
Fewer trees are also cut down to gather the wood needed to produce composite deck boards, in fact, the wood flour needed to make the boards is gathered using off-cuts of wood, making it easy to repurpose any wastage that would otherwise be thrown away.
When it comes to the synthetic materials used in production, these are made using large amounts of post-industrial and post-consumer plastics which are melted down and added to the composite decking mixture to bind the wood flour together. This results in a highly water-resistant decking product, providing added protection to the composite core of each board.
Production
How composite decking is produced is also another reason why it is a more eco-friendly option over its natural wood counterparts. During the manufacturing process, several sustainable methods are practised. These include strict governmental guidelines and processes which are heavily regulated, ensuring minimal pollution is emitted into the nearby atmosphere.
To cool the composite boards after they have been fired up, an efficient water recycling system is also used. By reusing water and not discarding it, hundreds of thousands of litres are saved each day. This is complemented by further renewable energy sources such as solar to further enhance the eco-friendly value of composite decking production.
Care & Maintenance
The final environmentally-friendly element of composite decking is all to do with its care and maintenance after being installed in your garden. Unlike traditional wood decking, composite decking never requires any sealing, staining or painting, resulting in less harmful chemicals being used and emitted into the air. All that is needed to care for your composite boards is the occasional jet wash or wipe over – perfect!
So, if you’re ever asked if composite decking is an eco-friendly deck choice, you can now say in confidence YES! Also, if you’re considering a new deck for your outdoor space and would like to choose a sustainable option, composite decking is definitely the way to go.