Whether homeowners are looking to set up a barbeque for those fun summer afternoons or a fire pit for the cool fall evenings, having a cozy deck is a great way to get outside. As the push toward sustainability and eco-friendly building materials begins to pick up momentum, many common decking materials are coming under fire. How can architects, engineers, and contractors design a cozy and comfortable deck that is also sustainable and environmentally friendly?

Choosing Sustainable Materials

One of the earliest steps in designing a new deck is choosing the best materials for the job. Traditionally, lumber or composite materials are the first choices for deck building, but the source and composition of the materials determine whether the project can be considered sustainable or not.

Pressure-treated lumber is a popular choice because it is rot- and weather-resistant. Before 2004, these pressure-treated materials used arsenic as an anti-rot agent, but they’ve since switched to copper, which is only dangerous if burned. Other woods, like cedar, are naturally rot- and insect-resistant but are more expensive than pressure-treated lumber.

The key here isn’t avoiding lumber entirely, though we’ll take a closer look at that in a moment. It’s in choosing sustainable options. Traditional lumber sources can take decades to grow before they’re ready to harvest, making it difficult to keep up with sustainable demand while keeping prices low.

Opting for Lumber Alternatives

While lumber might create the aesthetic the homeowner is looking for when designing their deck, there are some more sustainable alternatives. Composite decking materials, often made from recycled polyethylene, can look like real wood without any of the hassles. These composites are naturally rot- and weather-resistant, though they do need a thorough washing every few years to keep mold from growing.

There are also steel and aluminum decking options, but if sustainability is the goal, ensure the metals are gathered from recycled sources. Virgin steel, for example, has a carbon footprint five times higher than recycled steel.

Positioning Matters

For most people, deck locations will probably start just outside the back door, but this isn’t the only option, or often the best one when sustainability is the goal. If there isn’t a lot of natural shade or shelter where the deck will be placed, it can lead to costly repairs or additional construction to make the structure usable.

On top of that, continual exposure to UV rays can shorten the deck’s lifespan, making it more prone to damage. This might not seem like a negative for decking companies, but it’s not a good thing where sustainability is concerned.

There are steps homeowners can take to preserve their decks and protect them from sun damage, such as using a UV-resistant wood sealer for wooden decks, but the exposure to years of sunlight will take its toll. You will need to replace the wood sealer after each time you sand down the deck as part of your maintenance schedule. Instead, choose locations that take advantage of natural shade from trees or nearby foliage.

Keep Drainage in Mind

Keeping proper drainage in mind is essential when designing a deck. Improperly graded gravel or a lack of drainage can cause damage to both the deck and the home foundation. In addition to this damage, a lack of drainage could lead to mold growth or even an uptick in local mosquito populations as pooling water gives them a place to breed.

For small decks, a slight grade — 1/4 inch of vertical lift for every 12 inches of horizontal space — can encourage water to flow in the proper direction. This can help preserve local topsoil by allowing natural runoff that won’t drag these nutrient-rich soils away from where they can do the best work.

Go for Durable Over Decorative

There are plenty of gorgeous decorative deck designs out there, but not all of them are practical. Don’t include pretty materials or accessories that are going to fail after a few years and need replacement. There are options out there that can be aesthetically pleasing while still being durable and sustainable.

There is a fine line between sustainability and aesthetics and there’s a number of sustainable decorative options, such as including native plants in the landscaping on or around the deck.

Sustainability Is Key

When it comes to building a deck, sustainability may be the last thing on everyone’s mind. But the concept of sustainability is beginning to permeate the construction industry. It won’t be long before choosing sustainable building materials and designs is no longer an option but a requirement. It’s the perfect opportunity for companies that haven’t started adopting sustainable or eco-friendly practices and designs to start building their niche before it becomes the industry standard.

Emily Newton is the Editor-in-Chief of Revolutionized. She is a journalist who covers the innovations impacting the construction and industrial sectors.

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